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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGNEW CAR WASH - PDP - 32-06 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT (3)Shrub and Tree Species, Seed Mix Riparian Shrubs Common Name Scientific Name Type Coyote Willow Salix exigua Cuttings or, Container Chokecherry Prunus virginiana Container Golden Current Ribes aureum Container Wood's Rose Rosa woodsii Container Red Osier Dogwood Comus stolinifera Container Riparian Trees Common Name Scientific Name Type Peach -Leaf Willow Salix amygdaloides Container Boxelder Acer negundo Container Riparian -Pasture Seed Mix Common Name Scientific Name #PLS/Acre* Switchgrass Panicum virgatum 5.0 Western Wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii 5.0 Prairie Cordgrass Spartina pectinata 5.0 Alkali Sacaton Sporobolus airoides 4.0 Total #PLS/Acre 19.0 *Rates for drill seeding, broadcast rates will be doubled. Photo I. View along riparian edge west to Lemay Ave. Photo 2. View along south edge of lot and riparian edge to adjacent development. Photo 3. View across lot to the south. Attachment A Site Plan, Site Photographs Setback Planting Recommendations 7 I Plage, P. 2006. Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lakewood, CO, ' Personal Communication With E. Berg, Wildland Consultants, Inc. August 2006. Spackman, S., B. Jennings, J. Coles, C. Dawson, M. Minton, A. Kratz, and C. Spumes. ' 1997. Colorado Rare Plant Field Guide. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. System for Conservation Planning. 2002. Colorado Division of Wildlife and NDIS's System for Conservation Planning (SCoP). iu i _!- i_ _ c. __.. . . Wildland Consultants, Inc. 2006. Habitat Assessment Report, Mulberry Crossing ' Development. 1 1 re • The general planting plan will be detailed on the landscape plan for the project. The proposed setback/buffer will help protect the wildlife movement corridor along the river. The setback/buffer will be separated from the development by a split rail cedar fence (or other approved fence). • The scattered Russian olive trees present along the margins of the Cache la Poudre River on the north bank adjacent to the site will be removed. 7.0 References Andrews, R. and R. Righter. 1992. Colorado Birds. Museum of Natural History, Denver, CO. 442pp. Armstrong, D.M., M.E. Bakeman, N.W. Clippinger, A. Deans, M. Marguiles, C.A. Meaney, C. Miller, M. O'Shea -Stone, T.R. Ryon, and M. Sanders. 1987. Report on Habitat Findings of the Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse. Presented to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Colorado Division of Wildlife. Colorado Division of Wildlife. 1990. Colorado Mammal Distribution, Latilong Study. Denver, CO. Colorado Division of Wildlife. 1998. Significant Wildlife Habitat Maps, Larimer County. Colorado Division of Wildlife. 2005. Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse Occupied Range, Colorado [GIS data]. Denver, CO. Colorado Division of Wildlife. 2006. Natural Diversity Information System Data Search. Fertig, W. 2000. Status Review of the Colorado butterfly plant (Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis). Report prepared for the Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Wyoming Game and Fish Department by the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, Laramie, WY. Fitzgerald, J.P., C.A. Meaney, D.M. Armstrong. 1994. Mammals of Colorado. Denver Museum of Natural History and University Press of Colorado. 467pp. City of Fort Collins. 2006. City Code Section 3.4.1. Hammerson, G.A. 1999. Amphibians and Reptiles in Colorado. Colorado Division of Wildlife. Denver, CO. 130pp. O'Kane, S.L. 1988. Colorado's rare flora. Great Basin Naturalist 48(4):434-484. bi NOW sa / A minimum G1ot uffer/setback from the development edge to the edge of the riparian habitat along the Cache la Poudre River is proposed. This setback would be seeded with a native pasture/grassland seed mix and planted with native trees and shrubs. Approximately 0.54 acres would be included along the southern site boundary as p= of the setback/buffer area. The City of Fort Collins development guidelines call for 200- foot setback for development in the area. A 200-foot setback would preclude development of this parcel and would provide limited protection to the river corridor in light of the extensive existing development surrounding the site. Existing commercial development adjacent to the site provide no setbacks to the riparian habitat along the river. The proposed setback is much better than the surrounding existing development that backs up to the river. The proposed setback/buffer will help preserve wildlife movement corridor and wildlife habitat along the river. Because of the existing extensive human use and development surrounding the river corrido5 project construction should not significantly impact any species currently using the area. Past negative trapping along the Cache la Poudre River in Fort Collins indicates that the Preble's meadow jumping mouse is not present within the City. Therefore, trapping for the Preble's meadow jumping mouse is not recommended for the site. No impacts to the riparian zone would occur with project construction. No impacts to potential habitat areas for Ute ladies' tresses orchid and Colorado butterfly plant would occur. Neither species is located in the upland pasture on the site that is slated for development. A Habitat Assessment Report has been prepared for the project and submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for approval (Wildland Consultants, Inc. 2006). The Habitat Assessment Report concluded that no impacts to listed species would occur with project construction. 6.0 Conclusion, Proposed Mitigation 56 ' No developments of open lands are possible without ' pacts to the environment. Project construction would result in the conversion of appr 'mately 1.67 acres of weedy pasture to urban uses. A setback/buffer of a minimum o feet is proposed from the edge of the riparian zone to the edge of the developmenta surrounding area is already heavily developed with little or no buffering from the river. Wildlife use of the adjacent river corridor is not expected to change after project construction. The developer proposes the following general mitigation measures: Sa. • A setback/buffer zone (minimum o 55 feet wide) is proposed from the development and the edge of the riparian zone. a setback area will be seeded with a native grassland/pasture seed mix and planted with native shrubs and trees. The plantings will be used to enhance the wildlife habitat and provide a visual screen to the development from the river. i 300 LI1JG,` hST E C! The Cache la Poudre River and adjacent riparian corridor provide high quality wildlife habitat in an urban environment. 3.2 Wildlife Corridors The Cache la Poudre River provides a wildlife movement corridor along the south edge of the development site. The River corridor has been impacted by urban development, road crossings (Lemay Avenue adjacent to the site), and other human uses. However, the river corridor provides an important urban wildlife movement corridor. Adjacent commercial developments to the east of the site have limited the size of the corridor along the north bank of the river. These commercial developments run to the edge of the narrow strip of riparian habitat along the river. 3.3 Rare Wildlife Species The Cache la Poudre River provides potential habitat to the Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei). Preferred habitat for the Preble's meadow jumping mouse includes thick shrubby riparian habitat along area streams and rivers (Armstrong et al. 1997). The nearest occupied habitat for the Preble's mouse is along the Cache la Poudre River upstream of LaPorte. This area is approximately 10 miles upstream of the proposed project area. Numerous trapping efforts have resulted in no Preble's captures along the Cache la Poudre River, adjacent tributaries and canals downstream of LaPorte (Plage 2006). Because of past negative trapping efforts along the Cache la Poudre River in Fort Collins there is little likelihood that the rare mouse is present along the river adjacent to the site. ' Bald eagles use the Cache la Poudre River corridor during the winter periods. The area is mapped as part of overall bald eagle winter range (Colorado Division of Wildlife 2006). ' Bald eagle winter concentration areas are mapped along the river approximately 4 miles downstream. Heavy human use in the area has reduced the value of the urban river corridor to bald eagles. 4.0 Views 1 1 The area surrounding the site is already heavily developed with commercial properties. Lemay Avenue borders the west side of the site and Mulberry Street borders the north side of the site. The development will be visible from Lemay Avenue and Mulberry. ' The City of Fort Collins bike trail is located across the river to the south. The trail is separated from the site by heavy tree and shrub cover and a slight elevation difference. ' 5.0 Project Impacts No impacts of open lands are possible without impacts to the environment. Project ' construction would result in the conversion of approximately 1.67 acres of weedy pasture land to urban uses. No loss of riparian habitat along the Cache la Poudre River would occur with project construction. 1 3 1 Noxious weeds present on the site include Canada thistle, and Russian thistle. These species are located in the upland pasture intermixed with the seeded pasture grasses. Adjacent wetlands within 500-feet of the project area occur along the Cache la Poudre River east and west of the development site. No attempt was made to delineate offsite wetlands or vegetation types. 2.1 Rare Plant Species The riparian habitat along the river provides potential habitat for the Ute ladies' tresses orchid and Colorado butterfly plant. The orchid has been documented in areas with seasonally wet soils and wet meadows near springs, lakes, or perennial streams and their associated flood plains below 6,500 feet above sea level in the South Platte River Drainage (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1992). The Colorado butterfly plant typically grows on subirrigated alluvial soils in floodplains and drainage bottoms and in depressions along slow -moving streams (Fertig 2000, O'Kane 1988a). Project construction would result in no disturbance of potential habitat areas. Construction of the water quality pond and outfall is within an upland seeded area that does not provide habitat to either species. This area is mowed several times during the growing season and seeded with pasture grasses. The outfall would flow into an existing rip -rap channel with no impacts to riparian, wetland or stream bank areas. Project construction and operation would not impact potential habitat for either rare plant species. 3.0 Wildlife Description 3.1 Species and Habitat The project area provides habitat to wildlife species adapted to ruderal lands, and wetland -riparian habitats. Wildlife species likely to use the area periodically include: red fox, coyote, raccoon, striped skunk; mule deer, a variety of small mammals (deer mouse, meadow vole, house mouse, prairie dog, cottontail rabbit); a variety of birds (meadow lark, mourning dove, American robin, Bullock's oriole, common grackle, common flicker, yellow warbler, house finch, English sparrow, horned lark, black -billed magpie, starling, American kestrel, great homed owl, great blue heron, mallard, and others); a few reptiles (western terrestrial garter snake, gopher snake) and amphibians (leopard frog, tiger salamander, plains spadefoot toad) (Andrews and Righter 1994, Colorado Division of Wildlife 2006, Fitzgerald et al. 1998, Hammerson 1999). Wildlife species or signs of species observed on the site and in the adjacent riparian habitat during August field reconnaissance's included: English sparrow, mourning dove, mallard, great blue heron, American kestrel, deer mouse, meadow vole, raccoon, striped skunk, cottontail rabbit, mule deer, red fox, and muskrat. The adjacent riparian habitat provides quality nesting areas to passerine bird species. There are no known raptor nests on the development site or the adjacent riparian zone. The adjacent river is mapped as overall mule and white-tailed deer range, great blue heron foraging area, and bald eagle winter range (Colorado Division of Wildlife 2006). 2 I Ecological Characterization Study — Mulberry Crossing Development ' 1.0 Introduction ' The Mulberry Crossing property is located in eastern Fort Collins, Colorado. The site is located at the northeast comer of Lemay Avenue and Mulberry Street. The Cache la Poudre River Runs along the western property boundary. UTM coordinates (NAD 83, ' Zone 13) for the approximate center of the property: 4492196N 0495144E (T7N R68W S18 NW1/4,NW1/4; Figure 1). The proposed commercial development (car wash) is located on a 1.67 acre lot in an area of extensive commercial development (see attached Landscape Plan). The development would include the car wash, parking and an access road. A setback/buffer is proposed from the development edge to the edge of the drip line/riparian habitat along the Cache la Poudre River. A small water quality pond will be constructed in the setback. The pond will drain to an existing rip -rap channel adjacent to Lemay Avenue. The Fort Collins City Code recommends that an Ecological Characterization Study be completed for projects that are within 500 feet of any natural habitat or feature mapped on the Natural Habitats and Features Inventory Map. The Ecological Characterization study is also recommended if the site includes areas of unique plant life or wildlife habitat (City of Fort Collins, 2000, 2006). The Cache la Poudre River is mapped as a natural feature on the Natural Habitats and Features Inventory Map. 2.0 Vegetation and Wetland Description Vegetation on and adjacent to the property include seeded upland pasture and riparian. The seeded upland pasture occurs on the area proposed for development. Dominant plants include smooth brome grass (Bromus inermis), crested wheatgrass (Agropryon cristatum), weedy species like kochia (Kochia scoparia), prickly lettuce (Lactuca serulia), sunflower (Helianthus amruus), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvensis), and other species. This area is mowed several times each growing season. There are no wetlands or riparian habitat located within the development zone. The riparian zone adjacent to the Cache la Poudre River is located just south of the property boundary. This zone supports a fringe of riparian habitat. Dominant plants include plains and narrowleaf cottonwood (Populus deltoides/angustifolia), coyote willow (Salix exigua), peach -leaf willow (Salix amygdaloides), Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia). Herbaceous species in this area include included smooth brome, bentgrass (Agrostis sp.), reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), sedges (Carex spp.) and other grasses and forbs There are no wetland areas on the development site. Jurisdictional wetlands occur adjacent to the site along the river. 1.0 Introduction............................................................................. I 2.0 Vegetation and Wetlands............................................................. 1 2.1 Rare Plant Species..................................................................... 2 3.0 Wildlife Description................................................................... 2 3.1 Species and Habitats................................................................... 2 3.2 Wildlife Corridors...................................................................... 3 3.3 Rare Wildlife Species.................................................................. 3 4.0 Views..................................................................................... 3 5.0 Project Impacts......................................................................... 3 6.0 Conclusions, Proposed Mitigation.................................................... 4 7.0 References................................................................................ 5 Attachment A - Site Photographs Ecological Characterization Study Mulberry Crossing Development Prepared for: Andrea and John Agnew P.O. Box 827 Frisco, CO 80443 Prepared by: Wildland Consultants, Inc. 1001 Jefferson Drive Berthoud, Colorado 80513 October 2006 Table of Contents