HomeMy WebLinkAboutNIX FARM NATURAL RESOURCES FACILITY - MAJOR AMEND. - MJA130001 - REPORTS - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTfeeders at the Nix office have attracted a variety of migratory songbirds and other
wildlife, including owls and hawks that feed on the songbirds. Breeding bird
surveys have been conducted in recent years on Kingfisher Point and a number
of biologists keep their eyes out for birds nesting in the vicinity; however, no
nesting birds are known to occur in the area proposed for construction and no
particularly sensitive birds are known to nest near the existing buildings, although
common urban birds (e.g., American robins, house finches) have been known to
nest near the buildings. While coyotes and red fox are common visitors to the
site, nearest known dens are at least 600 feet from the Nix Facility. Courtship
and mating behavior of both species have been observed from Nix Offices,
indicating current human activity is not disrupting they life cycle of these mid -size
mammals.
Natural Areas wildlife biologists (Karen Manci and Aran Meyer) do not feel that
any particular timing of construction is necessary to protect the wildlife use of the
Nix Facility and adjacent Kingfisher Point Natural Area nor are any measures
needed to mitigate potential adverse impacts of the development on natural
habitats or features; however, they recommend that cottonwoods, pines, and
native shrubs (planting in 2002) that cannot be saved because of new building
construction be replaced elsewhere on the site.
K
City of
Natural Areas Department
1745ox580 tv1illRoad
ort Collins
PO Box 580
Fort Collins; CO 86UM580
U0.416.2815.
FAX 976:418.2211
www.fggov.com
MEMoRANDUM
Date: November 7, 2012
To: Lindsay Ex, Environmental Planner
cc: Mark Sears, Natural Areas Manager
From: Karen Manci, Natural Areas Senior Environmental Planner
Re: Ecological Characterization of Future Nix Office Site
The current Nix Facility consists of three historic buildings and a maintenance
shop constructed a decade ago. The Facility supports up to 45 staff members
during the summer peak. The most active areas of the Facility (existing office
and shop) are located more than 600 feet from the Poudre River;and more than
300 feet from a lake that is used quite extensively by waterfowl and other
waterbirds throughout the year. Old pastures adjacent to the buildings have
been undergoing restoration back to native grasslands for nearly a decade now.
The Natural Areas Department (NAD) is seeking to build another office building
within the complex that would initially add six additional staff to the Facility and
relieve overcrowding in the existing office building.
NAD has carefully selected a site in the complex that will cause the least
disturbance to wildlife and native plant communities. The proposed new building
site is located more than 600 feet from both the high value lake and from the
Poudre River. The location leaves grassland areas under restoration west and
north of the entrance/maintenance roads intact. Area to be disturbed is restored
pasture (now native grasses) with planted native shrubs, cottonwoods, and pine
trees.
Over the last 10 years, Nix office staff have had. the unique opportunity to daily
observe numerous species of wildlife using the grounds and. adjacent grassland
and lake habitats. To date, over 100 species of birds have been recorded on Nix
and the. adjacent Kingfisher Point Natural .Area, making it the 4w most diverse
City natural area along the Poudre. With regard to mammals, the area supports
the highest number of species of all .City sites along the Poudre. While natural
habitat is primarily responsible for this diversity, the native plant gardens and bird