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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHIDDEN POND ESTATES - PDP - 11-07 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTCollins. It is likely the existing great horned owl nest would continued to be used as long as the nest tree remains and open space remains available to the east for hunting. Current development plans would not impact the existing nest tree and a majority of the open space on the property would remain as open space. • Development setback of 25 feet for farmstead windbreaks or woodlots There would be no development within 25 feet of the line of Siberian elm and eastern cottonwood windbreak trees west and north of the existing farmhouse. Based on this analysis, the proposed Feather Ridge Project would be in compliance with all City Natural Habitats and Features buffer zone and habitat protection standards. Significant trees and natural habitat features including the wetlands, pond, and surrounding habitats would be preserved with project development. Project development would only occur within existing disturbed or non-native grasslandtweedy areas. One final mitigation recommendation is provided for the Feather Ridge Property to enhance existing wildlife habitats on the property. It is recommended that additional plantings of appropriate native herbaceous and woody vegetation species be made over time around the wetland features and pond. Young and poor quality Siberian elms should also be slowly replaced with native woody plantings, but existing nuisance trees should be left in place until they are matched in structure and size by replacement tree plantings. With additional native woody plantings, wetland and pond habitat could be enhanced and should attract a diversity of songbirds as well as continue to provide potential breeding habitat for local amphibian populations. Non-native grassland areas, especially those supporting higher densities of weedy species could also be cleared and replanted to native grass and herbaceous species to further enhance habitat conditions in open space portions of the property. 14 A number of City of Fort Collins Buffer Zone Standards and wildlife habitat protection stipulations could potentially apply to the Feather Ridge Property. The following paragraphs provide a discussion of the proposed development's compliance with each potentially applicable buffer zone or habitat protection standard. • 50-foot setback for ditches that serve as wildlife movement corridors. Based on this report's analysis, the Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet Canal has minimal value as a potential wildlife movement corridor for terrestrial wildlife because of the lack of suitable vegetation cover, close proximity to roads and grazed pastureland, and cement box culvert road crossings. However, as development in the area continues, the canal may play a more important role as a movement corridor especially if development landscaping creates increased vegetation diversity along the canal. Therefore, it may be appropriate to preserve a 50-foot buffer along the canal. Plantings of native woody species within the 50-foot buffer would improve habitat diversity along the ditch as well as provide visual shielding between the ditch and development. Current development plans indicate a development setback of at least 250 feet would be maintained from the Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet Canal. Protection of prairie dog towns over 50 acres is size The prairie dog town on the property is much smaller than 50 acres. The City requires that for any development within an existing prairie dog town, prairie dogs within the disturbance area would need to be relocated or eradicated using city -approved methods as described in Chapter 4 of the Land Use Code. The requirement would apply to the portion of the proposed parking lot overlapping occupied prairie dog habitat, as well as possible disturbance from detention pond construction. Minimum development setback of 50 feet for wetlands larger than 0.25 acre but less than 0.3 acre in size All wetland areas on the Feather Ridge Property are less than 0.2.5 acre in size, and there are no specific City buffer zone standards that apply to wetlands of this size. However, current development plans indicate a minimum development setback of 60 feet or more would be maintained from all identified wetlands. Minimum development setback of 50 feet for naturalized detention or irrigation ponds Development plans indicate a minimum development setback of 60 feet or more would be maintained from the only pond located on the property. Protection of raptor nest sites There are no City buffer standards for protection of great horned owl nest sites. Great horned owls are well adapted to nesting in urban environments and are known to nest within downtown areas of Fort 13 (e) There are two natural drainages on the property. The drainage flowing into the pond is intermittent above the pond and only carries water during storm events. Below the pond the drainage appears to be perennial due to seepage from the pond. The other drainage is the small channel that carries flow from the spring wetland into Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet Canal (see Figure 2). (f) Because of past agricultural conversion of the property, there is no evidence of the presence of specially valued species or their habitats within the property boundaries. The small wetland sites on the property do not provide suitable habitat conditions for Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) or Ute ladies' -tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis). One large Siberian elm was used for nesting by great horned owls in 2003 (see Figure 2). (g) Because of past disturbances and development, special habitat features on the property are limited to the pond, small wetland sites, and larger trees. The flowing spring and spring fed wetland drainage is a rather unique habitat feature for the Fort Collins area. (h) The Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet Canal is hydrologically linked to the Cache la Poudre River and Fossil Creek Reservoir, but the canal has minimal value as wildlife habitat and a potential wildlife movement corridor for the following reasons. The canal has lack of continuity with other natural areas. The north end of the canal is connected to the Cache la Poudre River riparian corridor to the north of the property, but south of the river it passes through considerable pastureland and cropland with little suitable vegetation cover and wildlife habitat value before emptying into Fossil Creek Reservoir. Culverted crossings under Horsetooth Road to the north and Harmony Road to the south also disrupt the continuity of the canal, minimizing its value as a potential movement corridor for terrestrial species. (i) The general ecological functions provided by the Feather Ridge Property are described under Section 3.0. 5.0 WILDLIFE AND HABITAT MITIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS Development plans for the Feather Ridge Property would involve the conversion of portion of the property to a reception center and parking areas. Current plans indicate the existing farmhouse and most of the farm buildings would remain on site. Development would occur entirely within areas dominated by farm facilities and non-native grassland/weedy habitats. Currently there are no plans to remove any of the larger trees unless they pose a safety risk for people using the property. The only trees that would be lost to development would be a few of the small Siberian elms. The pond and wetlands, as well as surrounding trees would be unaffected by development and would remain as open space on the property. As currently proposed, a minimum development setback of at least 60 feet or more would be maintained from the existing wetlands and pond. A small portion of the existing prairie dog town would be impacted by parking lot development. 12 stands except that there is sufficient surface water at the pond and flowing water wetlands to provide suitable breeding habitat for amphibians such as chorus frog and Woodhouse's toad. The pond and flowing water wetlands also provides a drinking water source for terrestrial wildlife species using the adjacent non-native grassland and disturbed/weedy habitat areas as well as foraging areas for species such as raccoon. The pond and adjacent wetlands could also be used for foraging and nesting by urban adapted waterfowl such as Canada goose and mallard as well as provide nesting habitat for songbird species such as red -winged blackbird and song sparrow. 3.4 Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet Canal The Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet Canal runs along the eastern property boundary. This 12 to 15-foot wide canal supports a relatively narrow strip of wetland vegetation (primarily reed canarygrass) below the embankment edge. The upper, non -wetland portions of the ditch embankment are vegetated primarily by smooth brome and annual weeds. To the north of the Feather Ridge Property, the canal passes through grazed pastureland. South of the property the canal flows through cement box culverts under Harmony Road and eventually empties into Fossil Creek Reservoir. 4.0 ECOLOGICAL STUDY CHARACTERIZATION CHECKLIST The following provides a summary of information required by Fort Collins Land Use Code under 3.4.1 (D) (1) items (a) through (i). Items Q) and (k) are addressed under following section, 5.0 Wildlife Mitigation Recommendations. (a) Wildlife use of the area is described in Section 3.0. (b) Four small wetlands are supported on the property. Their characteristics and ecological functions are described in Section 3.3. Wetland locations are depicted on Figure 2. (c) No views of significant topographical features are provided from the property, although the more elevated portions of the property provide relatively panoramic views to the east. (d) Because of past agricultural conversion of the property, there are no significant stands of native vegetation. The only significant native trees on the property are the five cottonwoods north of the farmhouse. The non-native green ash and Engelmann spruce trees would also likely be classified as significant by the City of Fort Collins Forester. Siberian elms and Russian olive trees growing on the property are classified as nuisance species by the City of Fort Collins. However, most of the larger Siberian elms planted west and south of the farmhouse are large well -developed trees that create considerable nesting and perching habitat for a variety of songbirds. The locations of these trees are noted on Figure 2. 11 December field survey were northern flicker, black -billed magpie, house finch, American goldfinch, and sharp -shinned hawk, a winter visitor. A much more diverse assemblage of songbird species is likely to be present during the spring and summer. 3.3 Pond and Wetlands There are four small wetland areas and a pond located on the Feather Ridge Property. Three of these wetlands are located within the pond drainage above and below the pond and around the pond perimeter. The upper wetland, west of the pond is located upstream of a dirt embankment dam, and this area may contain some standing water in wetter years. However, it is currently dominated by a dense stand of a single wetland species, reed canarygrass (Phalaroides arundinacea) (see Photo 6). This wetland is not connected by continuous wetland or defined channel to Waters of the United States and would not be considered jurisdictional by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. A second wetland area is supported as a narrow, intermittent band around the pond perimeter. These pond perimeter wetlands are dominated by broad-leaved cattail (Typha latifolia) and saltmarsh bulrush (Bo/boschoenus maritimus) near the water's edge and by reed canarygrass and three -square (Schoenoplectus pungens) in the less saturated zones. A view of the pond and peripheral wetlands is provided by Photo 7. The wetland drainage below and east of the pond dam supported a small channel of flowing water at the time of the December survey, apparently from pond water seepage below the dam. Wetland vegetation in this channel is dominated by reed canarygrass with minor amounts of watercress (Nasturtium officinale) growing in the flowing water channel. Photo 8 provides a view of the upper end of this wetland immediately below the dam embankment. Water from this wetland flows through a pipe over the Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet Canal and apparently into a constructed pond on an adjacent property. However, some of the water flow was leaking from the pipe into the canal, and the pond and wetland drainage below the pond may be considered jurisdictional by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. The fourth wetland area is supported by a small, flowing spring near the middle of the eastern property boundary (see Figure 2). The flowing spring and associated wetland drainage consists of a small pool of water where flows emit from the ground and a narrow wetland drainage that carries the spring flow directly into the Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet Canal. At the time of the December survey the spring was estimated to be flowing at approximately 1 gallon per minute (gpm). The Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet Canal flows into Fossil Creek Reservoir, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would classify wetlands connected to the canal as jurisdictional. Characteristics of this wetland drainage are similar to the wetland below the pond dam. The pond, in combination with the adjacent wetlands and tree stands, create considerable habitat diversity in an area otherwise dominated by non-native grassland/weedy areas and developed sites. Wildlife use of the pond and small wetlands is similar to that described for adjacent areas of non-native grassland and tree 10 Photo 7. View of Pond and Surrounding Peripheral Wetlands. (View is from the pond dam looking west or upstream. (Tree in middle background on right is Russian olive. Most other trees in background are Siberian elms.) Photo 8. View of Wetland Channel Below Pond Dam. (View is from pond dam looking east. Small trees are Russian olives.) 0 i i r � a' ,Mae—. ..•ate i97�v 3ijt� - r . Photo 5. View of Trees at Upper Dam Embankment. (Trees on left or west side of embank- ment are young cottonwoods. Trees on right or east side of embankment are young Siberian elms.) N J M Photo 6. View of Upper Wetland Area Upstream of Pond. (Reed canarygrass is the dominant wetland vegetation. Trees on both sides are dominated by young Siberian elms but a few young cottonwoods are also present.) Photo 3. View of Line of Five Large Cottonwoods North of Farmhouse. (View is looking west toward east end of cottonwoods. Trees in background on right are young Siberian elms.) Photo 4. View of Line of Large Siberian Elms West of Farmhouse. (View is looking north toward south end of trees.) 7 .i ' f A 'l�ttl r � E• I ... aSls ,uli•_�L..._..!c___a.-,._, ,ita...� iG, ,'Lem r<.'��_. y:. g. 3i. Photo 1. View of Non-native Grassland Habitat Dominated by Smooth Brome. (View is from southeast property corner looking west.) Photo 2. Another View of Non-native Grassland. (View is from near center of property looking southeast toward prairie dog area. Overgrazed prairie dog area is in middle background on the right.) M Figure 2) weedy species including field bindweed, kochia, Canada thistle and cheatgrass are more dominant. Woody vegetation in non-native grassland is restricted to a few widely scattered rubber rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus) shrubs near the southeast property corner and a number of tree stands (see Section 3.2). Photos 1 and 2 provide representative views of non-native grassland on the Feather Ridge property. Habitat value and wildlife use of non-native grassland habitat is limited because of low vegetation species diversity, past livestock use, dominance by weedy and non-native grass species, and surrounding developments. However trees and the pond on the property as well as the prairie dog town increases overall habitat diversity and possible use of the site by raptors and mammalian predators. Deer mouse, thirteen -lined ground squirrel, prairie vole, northern pocket gopher, black -tailed prairie dog, and western meadowlark are the only species likely to establish resident populations in non-native grassland. Songbirds such as Brewer's blackbird, common grackle, and black -billed magpie may also occasionally use non-native grassland habitat. Species such as striped skunk, coyote, and red fox will hunt prey in urban areas of non-native grassland. Raptors known to hunt over non-native grassland habitats near urban areas include American kestrel, red-tailed hawk, and great horned owl. 3.2 Trees The distribution of trees on the property and species identification are noted on Figure 2. The larger, more significant trees are also identified on Figure 2. The dominant trees on the property are Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila) and eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides). The largest and most significant of these trees grow as linear plantings to the north and west of the farmhouse. The majority of the large Siberian elms appeared to be in good health with few larger dead branches evident. In contrast, two of the five large cottonwoods to the north of the farmhouse appeared to be partially to mostly decadent. Outside of the farmstead area, the remaining Siberian elms and cottonwoods are relatively young trees (4 to 8 inches in diameter) that appeared to be healthy. The only other trees noted on the property were a few Russian olives (Elaeagnus angustifolia) at the pond perimeter and five green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanicus) and two Englemann spruce (Picea englemannii) trees growing within landscaped portions of the farmstead. All of these trees except for eastern cottonwood are non-native to the Fort Collins area. Russian olive and Siberian elm are classified as nuisance species by the City of Fort Collins. Photos 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 provide representative views of tree stands on the property. Trees on the property create additional habitat diversity and vegetation structure primarily for use by urban -adapted songbirds for foraging, perching, and nesting. The trees could also be occasionally used by raptors such as red-tailed hawk and great horned owl as potential nest or hunting perch sites. According to the property resident, the Siberian elm immediately southeast of the farmhouse was used for nesting by great horned owl during the 2003 breeding season. No other evidence of raptor nesting activity was noted in any of the other trees. Species noted using trees on the property during the early r ° Residential * y .�'�' 'r. aaw.u.,e lr,. .an ca.++co eesx •Iwo+m+rr Irv, ,� t� ;R.-s '�� � FIGURE 2 o ur Habitat Mapping �+ for the Feather Ridge Property Siberian _. �1, r , ;IN � elms you. cottonwoods LEGEND t. x Iberian elm & per AgrTddlt ral Property Boundary r� ' u Wetland NNG 1 r: NNG 'Russian olive mix and a' s �i Habitat Boundary Siberian elm Rural Residential Wetland..;A, �' = NNG =Non-native Grassland "Wetland NNG o'er you tlalld RES =Residential Siberlata elm ! �� - FB = Farm Building 000 young cottonwgoYl d $ erian �' Weed V YY �� _ 1 k Siberian elms NNG elms N 5 large cottonwoods SprTrf .� ReslE� bh) NC; � rian elm Zia' h 111Sib nelms teen Mowed NNG/ - '� b i 1 -2' dbh) Weedy \ i er an elms -A" • N eedy/ s' ,^ _ *, t N "�eof[�nwood FB; rairie Dogs . b 1-14 dbh) NNG/ ;. NNG Weedy NNG \ �, oun 2 Y 9 NNG as — M1 Mowed NNG :.. Siberian large Siberian elm —' Rims (2003 great horned owl nest tree) 2 Engelmann spruce Hewlett Packard .�._..._._ ----- 7 -``' � *� '*''^ ,�'`` .ds. „•" � -' : may_ \.`\_` 44+ '> ev . a Scale: 1 inch = -140 feet 4 .. •, t� • Residential Siberian 'Q elms young cottonwoods N^\ 77 �.,'! rA' Siberian elm & _ Agric __,,, . Wetland •-„;.�s.. ti%•i% NNG -:�4 NNG Russian olrve.ptJx a Siberan elms ^ �� Rural Re Wetland\ G7 >r i,'uwtn i�d t: ` 1 ��fi' ► "dL . wetland > /' . �A s j Wetlt��"Od �j 11 NNG °j Slborian,ehn �� „g" ait young cottonwood �.. +6Gns•- I..rY Wetland ' . NNG! )' young cottonwood' ;t , .� a Siberian Weedy wi Sibeny)olms ^ - i. NNG Dims y©NNG *.'a A �• 5 large cottonwoods 4 Spring Re •.. 'r. Slrberian elm NNG `Fe r large 5ibe -Ian elms NNG Fd' - NNG - larg green r.t Mowed NNG! ' as It -2'dbh) rN Yj, _Weedy ,may _ '` NNGIWeedy/ �cotfdn"wood FBI N ` 'ORES - - Prairie Dogs N Y v i (-14" dbh) NNG/ - G \2 young Weedy NNG NNG 21, green ayh - -- ultural rid sidential ,v Siberian elms FIGURE 2 Habitat Mapping for the Feather Ridge Property LEGEND Property Boundary Habitat Boundary NNG = Non-native Grassland RES = Residential FB = Farm Building meI 2 young green ash - ` "' - NNG -----^' ,.-...._....•� ^^ r"r..Mowed NNG a� Siberian largo Siberian elm - -- -- - - - - "---— .. elms '.. "-(�ooa great parried owl most Yree) a — '- 2 Engelmann spruce s (-1.5' clbhJ Hewlett Packard14 , °SN11 '� Scale: 1 inch = -14I1 feet fin. e�>.. 3.0 HABITAT CONDITIONS AND WILDLIFE USE According to the Soil Survey of Larimer County Area, Colorado (SCS 1980), Nunn clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, and Larimer-Stoneham complex, 3 to 10 percent slopes, are the two main soil mapping units present on the Feather Ridge Property. Longmont clay, 0 to 3 percent slopes, is present in the northeast property corner. Nunn clay loam and Larimer-Stoneham complex are not classified as hydric (wetland) by the SCS. Nunn clay loam is located in the southwest portion of the property while the Larimer-Stoneham complex occupies the remainder of the property. Longmont clay is classified as hydric by the SCS, but the only wetlands located on the property are associated with the drainage into and out of the pond on the property as well as a small spring. Both upland soil mapping units are deep and well drained. The Longmont clay is poorly drained. Runoff is medium to rapid on the Larimer-Stoneham complex and the erosion hazard is rated as moderate to severe with the higher erosion hazards on the steeper slopes. Runoff is slow to medium on Nunn clay loam and the water erosion hazard is rated as moderate, while runoff is slow and erosion hazard is slight on Longmont clay. No problem erosion areas were noted on the property during the field survey. Topography of the project site is gently to moderately sloping to the east and northeast. The Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet Canal runs along the east side of the property. Current habitats within the Feather Ridge Property consist of non-native grassland, weedy, tree stands, pond, and small wetland areas (see Figure 2). The remainder of the property is occupied by a farmhouse and farm buildings and associated corrals and landscaping. Surrounding land uses and habitats are dominated by rural residential, urban residential, and commercial developments. The only sensitive habitat areas or features on or near the property are mature trees, irrigation ditch, a small pond, and small wetland areas. The following sections summarize the characteristics of habitats on the property and wildlife use of the site. 3.1 Non-native Grassland and Weedy Areas Non-native grassland and weedy areas dominate the majority of the property as a result of past habitat conversions to farm and livestock uses (see Figure 2). Dominance by non-native grass and weedy species varies throughout the property depending on past land use practices and the presence of prairie dogs. Throughout most of the property, smooth brome (Bromopsis inermis)l is the dominant non-native grass intermixed with varying amounts of crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum), intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), and weedy species including cheatgrass (Anisantha tectorum), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), flixweed (Descurainia Sophia), kochia (Bassia sieversiana), musk thistle (Carduus nutans), and Canada thistle (Breea arvensis). Dominance by crested wheatgrass was greater in non-native grass areas near the corrals and north and east of the farmstead. In the abandoned corral areas and the small black -tailed prairie dog town (see 1 Scientific nomenclature follows: Weber, W. A. and R. C. Wittmann. 1996. Colorado Flora Eastern Slope, revised edition. University Press of Colorado, Niwot, Colorado. 524 pp. 3 R. 68 W. I Siphon f o M 4874 .. i ............o I _< u �I � � II �r2•� - II � a p 1 ` r it 11 � o / I ° a OR T001F1%c _ I i• \ems ° \ Z J ale 1. 1 _, �°• — 1 i Feather Ridg6 ° I Property 1 ♦YQ1 lit } Trail -Park N. - �- _' - ----t -- Ha oad u Cm" camm FIGURE 1 AWOCM7Es,�. y I16 WfLrRPm iMG11 R.fAlKt, •1°...(�dTl Location of the Feather Ridge Property II Scale: 1 inch - 2,000 feet v ! 4 Map Source: USGS 7 1/2' Quadrangle - Fort Collins, CO 2 ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY REPORT FOR THE FEATHER RIDGE PROPERTY 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND LOCATION This report provides an evaluation of wildlife habitat conditions in and within 500 feet of the Feather Ridge Property in accordance with Section 3.4.1 of the Land Use Code of the City of Fort Collins regarding the preparation of an Ecological Characterization Study Report for properties proposed for development. The development proposal for the Feather Ridge Property includes the construction of 9,000 square -foot reception center, parking areas, upgraded access driveway, and associated landscaping. The parcel of land addressed by this report consists of approximately 15 acres of rural farm property bordered on the south by Hewlett-Packard, on the east by the Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet Canal, and on the north and west by existing residential developments. The property is located near the center of the eastern 1/2 of Section 33 (T. 7 N., R. 68 W.), and the property location is depicted on Figure 1. This report summarizes the findings of the field evaluation, documents environmental conditions and habitats on the property, discusses potential impacts associated with the proposed development, and provides recommendations for mitigation. 2.0 METHODOLOGY Cedar Creek completed a field survey of the proposed development parcel on December 3, 2003. The field survey was conducted to characterize existing wildlife habitats, as well as identify any unique or sensitive natural resource features. Prior to the initiation of the field survey, Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly SCS) soils mapping (Soil Survey of Larimer County Area, Colorado) was reviewed to determine if any known hydric (wetland) or highly erosive soil mapping units are located on the property. Observations recorded during the field evaluation included: major vegetation communities / wildlife habitats present within the property; dominant vegetation associated with each community / habitat; unique habitat features; and observations of wildlife species and/or definitive sign. Photographs showing representative views of existing habitats were also taken to document site conditions. Wildlife presence and habitat use was based on on -site observations and habitat presence in conjunction with the known habitat requirements of potential wildlife species. Existing habitats were also evaluated regarding their ability to support populations of threatened, endangered, and other sensitive plant and wildlife species. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1.0 Introduction and Location...........................................................................................................1 2.0 Methodology.................................•...........................................................................................1 3.0 Habitat Conditions and Wildlife Use..............................................................................................3 3.1 Non-native Grassland and Weedy Areas.................................................................................3 3.2 Trees...................................................................................................................................5 3.3 Pond and Wetlands............................................................................................................10 3.4 Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet Canal........................................................................................11 4.0 Ecological Study Characterization Checklist...............................................................................11 5.0 Wildlife and Habitat Mitigation Recommendations........................................................................12 ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY REPORT FOR THE FEATHER RIDGE PROPERTY Prepared by Cedar Creek Associates, Inc. Fort Collins, Colorado Prepared for Julie Baker & V.F. Ripley Associates, Inc. Fort Collins, Colorado June 7, 2004 .k500 A1rE3, INC. ;_ '� t 916 Wllishire Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80521 • (970) 493-4394