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Photo 9 — view of Box Elder Creek
SMITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING 18
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Photo 7 — bear scat C�
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Photo 8 — view of the man-made pond on the property.
SMITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING 17
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Photo 5 — View of coyote tracks and scat
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Photo 6 — Large cottonwood tree in the study area that could have bird nests.
SMITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING 16
Photo 3 - View of Longs Peak from the property.
Photo 4 - View of Horsetooth Mountain from the property.
SMITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING 15
APPENDIX A - STUDY AREA PHOTOS
Photo I - Two Monarch Butterflies feeding on the nectar of Canada thistle.
Photo 2 - A wetland and irrigation ditch located on the Nt portion of the property
SMITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING 14
Natural Resource Conservation Service. 1996. Field Indicators of hydric soils in the
United States: A guide for identifying and delineating hydric soils, version 3.2, July
1996. Prepared in cooperation with the National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils.
G.W. Hurt, P.M. Whited, and R.F. Pringle (eds.). USDA NRCS, Fort Worth, TX.
Reed, P.B., Jr. 1988. National list of plant species that occur in wetlands: Central Plains
(region 5). USDI Fish and Wildlife Service. Biological report 88(26).
Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory. 2004. Bald Eagle watch 2005 report: summary of
nest observations — Nelda Gamble, RMBO Bald Eagle Watch Coordinator. Brighton,
CO.
Spackman, S., B. Jennings, J. Coles, C. Dawson, M. Minton, A. Dratz, and C. Spurrier.
1997. Colorado Rare Plant Field Guide. Prepared for the Bureau of Land Management,
the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by the Colorado Natural
Heritage Program. Ft. Collins, Colorado.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2007. List of Threatened and Endangered Species in
Colorado, Web Page. Available at: http://www.fws.gov/mountain-
prairie/endspp/CountyLists/COLORADO.htm. Checked on 10-16-2007.
USFWS 1992. Letter from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1992 in reference to
FWS/CO:ES:Plants-Spiranthes diluvialis (the Ladies' -tresses orchid).
USFWS, 1999. Interim Survey Guidelines For Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse. Revised May
19, 1999. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Golden, CO.
Weber, W.A. and R.C. Wittmann. 2001. Colorado flora: eastern slope. Revised. University of
Colorado Press, third edition. Niwot, CO.
SMITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING 13
4.0 REFERENCES
Andrews, R. and R. Righter. 1992. Colorado birds: a reference to their distribution and
habitat. Denver Museum of Natural History. Denver, CO.
Armstrong, D.M., M.E. Bakeman, A. Deans, C.A. Meaney, and T.R. Ryon. 1997.
Conclusions and recommendations. Pp. 71-91 In: Bakeman, M.E. (Ed.). Report on
habitat findings of the Preble's meadow jumping mouse. Submitted to the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service and Colorado Division of Wildlife. Denver, CO.
Carlson, L.W. (Colorado State Supervisor) 1992. Letter in reference to
FWE/CO:ES:Plants-Spiranthes diluvialis (Ute Ladies' -tresses orchid) and attached
Interim Survey Requirements For Spiranthes diluvialis. Lakewood, Colorado.
Chapman, S.S., Griffith, G.E., Omemik, J.M., Price, A.B., Freeouf, J., and Schrupp, D.L.. 2006.
Ecoregions of Colorado (Color Poster Map, Descriptive Text, Summary Tables, and
Photographs): Reston, Virginia, U.S. Geological Survey.
Colorado Natural Heritage Program - Natural Diversity Information Source. 2007. CNHP
Potential Conservation Areas and PMJM Captures Known from the Vicinity of the City
of Fort Collins in Larimer County, CO. Colorado State University. Fort Collins, CO.
Colorado Department of Wildlife (CDOW). 2007. CDOW list of Threatened and Endangered
Species and Species of Special Concern Web Page. Available at:
http: //wildlife. state. co. us/W ildlifeSpecies/SpeciesOfConcem/ThreatenedEndangeredList/
ListOfThreatenedAndEndaneg redSpecies.htm. Checked on 10-16-2007.
Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of wetlands
and deepwater habitats of the United States. FWS/OBS-79/31. U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Washington, DC.
Environmental Laboratory. 1987. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wetlands delineation
manual — technical report Y-87-1. U.S. Army Engineers Waterways Experiment Station.
Vicksburg, MS.
Federal Register. 2003. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of
Critical Habitat for the Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei),
Final Rule. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Kingery, H.E., editor. 1998. Colorado Breeding Bird Atlas. Colorado Breeding Bird
Atlas and Colorado Division of Wildlife. Denver, CO.
Kollmorgan Corporation. 1994 (revised). Munsell soil color charts. Macbeth Division of
Kollmorgen Instruments Corporation. New Windsor, NY.
SMITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING 12
3.0 SUMMARY
SMITH conducted an Ecological Characterization for Neenan of their proposed development and
adjacent land on the southwest corner of I-25 and Prospect Road in Fort Collins, Colorado, on
October 5, 2007. Based on SN='s evaluation, these are the factors the project sponsor should
carefully consider during the final planning and design stages of their development:
• Wetlands with the possible exception of W2, if impacted will need a USACE permit,
which may require mitigation;
• Some state -listed species may occur on -site, and further surveys, best management
practices, and/or mitigation may be required by the City of Fort Collins;
• Check to see if the irrigation ditches are a significant historic resource and, if so, follow
mitigation guidelines of the local Historic Landmark Preservation Committee;
• Some trees may be used for nesting by migratory birds. Birds and nests are protected
during the nesting season.
• A wide range of wildlife species currently use this site; care should be taken in
developing it to avoid human -wildlife conflicts;
• Water quality BMP's should be utilized in designing all stormwater features.
• Consult with the City forester with regard to the possibility of protecting significant
native trees.
• Use City recommended buffer zones around wetlands and other significant natural areas.
SMITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING 11
2.8 WILDLIFE MOVEMENT CORRIDORS
There are several wildlife movement corridors throughout the study area, in particular along Box
Elder Creek, and along the edges of the comfields and irrigation ditches. These movement
corridors are utilized by small to medium-sized mammals including coyote (Canis latrans), gray
fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis),
raccoon (Procyon lotor), and others. Big game animals that use the area include white-tailed
deer and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus)
2.9 GENERAL ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS
Generally, the Site functions like many Great Plains landscapes dominated by agriculture.
Narrow riparian creek areas sandwiched between large cropland and pasture/rangeland areas
provide only fair wildlife habitat. Wetland areas are generally small but provide important water
quality treatment of runoff and stream flow. Riparian areas provide important wildlife habitat.
The same amount and type of wetlands should be maintained to provide water quality
comparable treatment and wildlife habitat. Runoff from the proposed project areas will flow
through detention ponds and grassed waterways to provide water quality treatment. While a few
sensitive species have some probability of occurring and being adversely affected, most of the
sensitive species will not be affected by proposed development. No big game corridors will be
adversely affected. Nearly all of the proposed development will occur on the cornfield and
pasture areas, areas that provide little wildlife habitat.
2.10 TIMING OF DEVELOPMENT AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The project sponsor should avoid when possible the large individual and groves of cottonwood
trees throughout the study area. These potentially may have migratory birds nesting in them, and
impacting these during the breeding season may constitute a violation of the federal Migratory
Bird Treaty Act. SMITH recommends that a migratory bird survey be completed immediately
prior to tree removal, if it occurs between March 1 and August 31.
2.11 MITIGATION MEASURES
None of the discussed habitats require mitigation if impacted, with the exception of the wetlands.
Standard mitigation measures required by section 404 of the Clean Water Act will be followed
when jurisdictional wetlands are impacted. Also it should be determined whether or not the
irrigation ditches are historic. If the irrigation ditches are historic, mitigation guidelines of the
Historic Landmark Preservation Committee should be followed. Also, buffer zone standards
(Section 3.4.1 of the City Land Use Code) should be followed the City storm water design
standard BMPs.
SMITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING 10
monocultures of cattails or threesquare; 4) sites composed entirely of heavy clay soils; and, 5)
very saline sites (USFWS 1992). UTLO and CBP were not observed in the study area.
SMITH determined that ULTO and CBP do not occur in the study area and that the
characteristics of the study area differ from the optimal characteristics described by the USFWS
(Carlson 1992) in the following ways:
• 95% of the study area is comprised of well -drained upland soils and contains facultative
upland or upland plants.
• Wetland areas surrounding the pond have dense stands of cattails.
• Wetland areas along Box Elder Creek are dominated by reed canarygrass.
• About 90% of the study area has been disturbed in the last 50 years, primarily by
farming.
• Only one of the commonly associated species for ULTO (milkweed), and two for CBP
(wild licorice and horsetail) were identified in the study area.
• Both the man-made pond and creek have steep slopes above the water.
• The nearest known ULTO population is approximately six miles to the northwest near
Horsetooth Reservoir.
• The nearest known CBP population is approximately 10 miles to the northwest near Owl
Canyon.
Therefore, SMITH concludes that this project should not affect the continued existence of the
ULTO and CBP.
2.6.3 Other Threatened and Endangered (T&E) Species
Per the City of Fort Collins Ecological Characterization requirements, the proposed development
Site was also evaluated for habitat of the following federally- and state -listed species that are
known to occur in Larimer County (USFWS 2007; CDOW 2007): black -footed ferret, black -
tailed prairie dog Canada lynx, gray wolf, river otter, swift fox, Townsend's big -eared bat,
wolverine, American Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle, Burrowing Owl, Ferruginous Hawk, Long -
billed Curlew, Mexican Spotted Owl, Mountain Plover, common garter snake, boreal toad,
northern leopard frog, common shiner, greenback cutthroat trout, Iowa darter, lake chub, North
Park phacelia, and water depletions that may affect the downstream habitats of the interior least
tern, piping plover, Mexican spotted owl, whooping crane, and pallid sturgeon.
SMITH has determined that the following species have some probability of occurring on -site:
common garter snake, northern leopard frog, common shiner, and the Iowa darter. The other
species are considered to have very little to no probability of occurring on -site due to the site's
existing conditions not meeting their preferred habitat types.
2.7 SPECIAL HABITAT FEATURES
The man-made pond and surrounding wetlands and the Box Elder Creek riparian area create
special habitat features that should be carefully considered and avoided if possible during the
final design. They provide the most diversified plant communities and the best wildlife habitat.
SMITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING
2.6 SENSITIVE SPECIES
The purpose of this section is to: 1) determine whether the study area has Preble's Meadow
Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) (PMJM), Ute ladies' -tresses orchid (Spiranthes
diluvialis) (ULTO), and Colorado Butterfly Plant (Gaura neomexicana coloradensis) (CBP)
habitat, 2) the future likelihood of these species occurring in the study area, and 3) whether any
of the proposed development would affect them or their habitat. A review of literature of these
federally -listed species was completed. Prior to the field investigation SMITH determined that
the PMJM, ULTO, and CBP could potentially occur within the study area. During the site visit
the presence of these species and their habitat were investigated.
2.6.1 Preble's meadow jumping mouse
PMJM are found along the foothills in southeastern Wyoming, southward along the eastern edge
of the Colorado Front Range to Colorado Springs [Federal Register (FR) 2003]. PMJM habitat
is characterized as well -developed plains riparian vegetation with adjacent, undisturbed
grassland communities and a nearby water source (FR 2003). In Colorado, PMJM are generally
found below 7,600 feet (FR 2003). PMJM areas are generally found within FEMA's 100-year
flood plain (Armstrong et al. 1997). These areas have established plains riparian vegetation with
adjacent dense uplands areas with grasses, forbs, and shrubs (FR 2003). PMJM are usually
higher in abundance in areas with dense shrub cover (FR 2003). Shrub cover and plant species
diversity is greater where PMJM are present, in contrast where they are absent (FR 2003).
Potential suitable habitat for PMJM was observed in the study area, however, based on a 2007
Colorado Natural Heritage Map (CNHP 2007) of PMJM captures around Fort Collins, no PMJM
has been captured upstream or downstream of the study area, therefore SMITH believes that
there is very little to no potential for the PMJM to inhabit this site or be affected by the project.
2.6.2 Ute ladies'— tresses orchid and Colorado Butterfly Plant
According to the 1992 USFWS guidelines, ULTO occurs in seasonally moist soils and wet
meadows near springs, lakes, or perennial streams and their associated floodplains. It occurs
below 6,500 feet elevation in Colorado, specifically in the South Platte River 100-year floodplain
and perennial tributaries of the Front Range. Suitable habitat includes those areas, and wetland
areas. The CBP occurs in similar habitats. The best potential habitat for the CBP occurs on the
banks of creeks, ditch banks, and in open wet meadow areas. The CBP is known to occur in the
following Colorado counties: Boulder, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer, Moffat, and Weld at
elevations ranging from 4,500-6,800 feet (USFWS 1992). Unsuitable habitat or areas that have a
very low potential as CBP or ULTO habitat include those areas that are highly disturbed or
modified. The USFWS lists six highly disturbed or modified sites. These include: 1) highway
rights -of -way built on filled and compacted soil material; 2) highway rights -of -way built on rock
fills, either revegetated or not; 3) rock or soil fills with steep back slopes; 4) active construction
sites where all vegetation has been stripped exposing bare soil; 5) construction sites where
construction has been completed within the last 5 years, but the area has not been revegetated;
and, 6) landscaped and maintained (mowed) bluegrass lawns. Other unsuitable areas also
include 1) upland sites; 2) sites entirely inundated by standing water, 3) areas with dense
SMITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING 8
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Smith AVA SOLAR PROJECT Figure 3
Environmental and Wetlands, Other Natural
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Quadrangle » -_ -- E. Zones
12071 Telon Street, Suite 470
Westminster, Colorado 80234 ons o ons o I s Larimer County,
0201 887-4928 Colorado
17201887-4680 Ifix) M'I"' October, 2007
SMITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING 7
2.2 WETLANDS
There are seven wetland areas within the Site; they are shown in Figure 3. They are dominated
by cattails, three -square bulrush, and reed canarygrass. They are mainly Palustrine Emergent, but
a few Palustrine scrub shrub wetlands also occur along Box Elder Creek. The wetlands along the
west side of the southbound I-25 on -ramp (W2) and the wetlands approaching and including the
pond (W3-W6) are semi -saturated to saturated. The wetlands on both banks of Box Elder Creek
(WI) and an earthen irrigation ditch (W7) are seasonally flooded. The wetlands along Box Elder
Creek provide the following functions: floodwater storage/conveyance, groundwater
recharge/discharge, streambank stabilization, nutrient/contaminant/sediment removal,
maintenance of biodiversity, and storm surge buffer. They are of moderate importance. The
remaining wetlands (W2-W6) provide the following functions: groundwater recharge/discharge,
nutrient/contaminant/sediment removal, maintenance of biodiversity, and storm surge buffer.
They are of low to moderate importance.
2.3 PROMINENT VIEWS
Prominent views observed were captured by taking pictures and noting where they occurred on
the property. The best views are in the northeast portion of the study area, slightly higher than
the Box Elder Creek riparian area and enabling one to see the Front Range Mountains, including
Longs Peak and Horsetooth Mountain. Further south, in the study area, views are interrupted by
the transmission lines. The Box Elder Creek riparian area is noticeable, but not necessarily a
prominent view.
2.4 SIGNIFICANT NATIVE VEGETATION
Cottonwoods located along Box Elder Creek and the small grove in the SE comer of the study
area may constitute significant native tree areas as described in Article 3.4.Id of the City of Fort
Collins Land Use Code.
2.5 BANKS, SHORELINES, AND HIGH WATER MARKS
Evidence of permanent water was observed in two areas: 1) Box Elder Creek and 2) a man-made
pond just south of the AVA Solar development area. Box Elder Creek is subject to higher
flooding and water marks are higher than at the man-made pond area, due to storm events. Even
though Box Elder Creek is considered intermittent by the U.S.G.S., the water elevation can rise
up to five feet higher than the low level observed in October. This is mainly due to the relatively
narrow channel of the creek and the progressively larger flows created by the larger watershed
area and the ever increasing impervious area. The man-made pond's water elevation, on the other
hand, is relatively static, due to a small watershed and an outflow device that maintains a
constant pool.
SMITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING
2.0 RESULTS
The land use in the northern half (approximately) of the study area, except for the Box Elder
Creek area, is dominated by a pasture that has evidence (stubble) of being used historically as a
corn field. The plant community in the northern parcel is a mixture of native and introduced
grass, forb and weed species, and includes smooth brome (Bromopsis inermis) , crested
wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum), western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), prairie cordgrass
(Spartina pectinata), milkweed (Asclepias spp.), sunflower (Helianthus spp.), kochia (Bassia
sieversianna), and clover (Trifolium spp.). The land use in the southern half of the study area,
except for the Box Elder Creek area, currently is an irrigated corn field. The Box Elder Creek
area is a riparian woodland/shrub land comprised of wild licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota),
dogbane (Apocynum spp.), wild rose (Rosa woodsii), plains cottonwood (Populus dehoides) and
narrowleaf (Populus angustifolia) cottonwood, peach -leaf willow (.Salix amygdaloides), honey
locust (Gleditsia triacanthos), and many of the grasses, forbs and weeds mentioned above. Both
the north parcel and Box Elder Creek area had many patches of noxious weeds comprised of
Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), perennial sowthistle (Sonchus spp.), common bindweed
(Convolvulus arvensis), leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) , puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris),
and/or Russian -olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) trees.
The City of Fort Collins' Arapahoe Bend Natural Area borders the west side of Box Elder Creek.
The Area is a 278 ac naturalized gravel mining site with several ponds, grasslands, and a riparian
forest. The natural area provides habitat for a wide variety of birds, mammals, and fish and may
serve as a refuge for animals traveling along the Box Elder Creek and drainage ditch corridors.
This natural area, along with Box Elder Creek, has a connection to the Cache la Poudre River,
which is also an important movement corridor for many animals.
No geological or paleontological sites of special interest occur in the study area. An irrigation
canal follows the perimeter of some of the study area. The slope across most of the Site is less
than three percent, so soil erosion is low when vegetated cover is maintained.
2.1 WILDLIFE USE
Clues left by recent wildlife reflecting recent use of the study area include tracks, scat, nests,
bedding areas, partially browsed forage, rubbed tree, etc. Evidence of the following animals was
observed: coyote (Canis latrans) scat and tracks, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
tracks and scat, black bear (Ursus americanus) scat, and ground squirrel (Spermophilus)
burrows. The following animals were observed or heard: Mourning Dove, Northern Flicker,
House Finch, American Goldfinch, crickets, dragonflies, grasshoppers, red ants, Red -winged
Blackbird, Painted Lady Butterfly, an unknown small orange butterfly, Monarch Butterflies,
Bullfrogs (Bufo spp.), and Cabbage Moths. Also, a Northern Harrier was scouting for prey on the
adjacent property to the west and American White Pelicans were soaring and circling in the sky
about four mi to the NW. Lastly, the area does not provide winter concentration habitat for
raptors.
SMITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING 5
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CSYRF R[fEA PC" CAMPUS
CONCEPT -AL LAN1 LSE PLAN
Figure 2. CSURF Research Campus Conceptual Land Use Plan.
SMITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING
1.1 PROJECT AREA AND DESCRIPTION
The proposed development is located in the southwest quadrant of I-25 and Prospect Road. It is
located between Box Elder Creek and the interstate. The project area, or AVA Solar
development area, is within the Site (the study area) - see Figure 2.
The study area is at an approximate elevation of 4,950 feet above mean sea level, located within
Section 21, T 7N, R 68W. Overall the topography of the study area slopes to the southwest,
towards Box Elder Creek, which is the western boundary of the investigation.
The study area lies in the Front Range Fans ecoregion. The Front Range Fans ecoregion flanks
the northern Front Range of the Southern Rockies in Colorado. Streams tend to be cooler than in
other High Plains regions and contain many Front Range aquatic species. The soils of the region
have more outwash gravels than regions farther east and occupy old terraces, benches, and
alluvial fans. The soils are formed from materials weathered from arkosic sedimentary rock,
gravelly alluvium, and redbed shales and sandstone. Some soils have a high shrink -swell
potential. Land use is changing from mostly cropland and rangeland to more extensive urban
development. Development has led to an increase in manmade lakes and gravel pits dotting the
region (Chapman et al. 2006).
SMITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING 3
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
Smith Environmental and Engineering (SMITH) mapped the boundary of natural habitats and
features, and completed an ecological characterization of the natural habitat inside the AVA
Solar development area and outside the development area, collectively referred as the Site, for
the Neenan Company (Neenan) on October 5, 2007. This assessment took place on the
southwest corner of Interstate 25 and Prospect Road, in the City of Fort Collins (City), Larimer
County, Colorado, Colorado. Neenan is considering developing this lot for AVA Solar as office,
industrial, and park areas. The location of the proposed development property is shown in
Figure 1.
As required in Article 3.4.1 of the City of Ft. Collins' land use code, this ecological
characterization describes:
1) The wildlife use of the area showing the species of wildlife using the area, the times or
seasons that the area is used by those species and the "value" (meaning feeding, watering,
cover, nesting, roosting, perching) that the area provides for such wildlife species;
2) The boundary of wetlands in the area and a description of the ecological functions and
characteristics provided by those wetlands;
3) Any prominent views from or across the site;
4) The pattern, species and location of any significant native trees and other native site
vegetation;
5) The bank, shoreline and high water mark of any perennial stream or body of water on the
site;
6) Areas inhabited by or frequently utilized by Sensitive and Specially Valued Species;
7) Special habitat features;
8) Wildlife movement corridors;
9) The general ecological functions provided by the site and its features;
10) Any issues regarding the timing of development -related activities stemming from the
ecological character of the area; and
11) Any measure needed to mitigate the projected adverse impacts of the development .
project on natural habitats and features.
Wetlands and federally listed species, as discussed in the report, are defined by federal regulatory
agencies. Jurisdictional wetlands are considered to be Waters of the U.S. and are subject to
regulation by the USACE under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Wetlands have been
defined by the USACE as areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a
frequency and duration sufficient to support, and under normal circumstances do support, a
prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions (Environmental
Laboratory 1987). For a wetland to be considered jurisdictional, and therefore subject to Section
404 permitting requirements, it must border a Water of the U.S. Threatened and endangered
species (federally listed) are regulated by USFWS under Sections 7 and 10 of the Endangered
Species Act (ESA).
SMITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0
INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................
1
1.1
PROJECT AREA AND DESCRIPTION..............................................................................
3
2.0
RESULTS...............................................................................................................................5
2.1
WILDLIFE USE....................................................................................................................
5
2.2
WETLANDS..........................................................................................................................6
2.3
PROMINENT VIEWS...........................................................................................................
6
2.4
SIGNIFICANT NATIVE VEGETATION............................................................................
6
2.5
BANKS, SHORELINES, AND HIGH WATER MARKS ....................................................
6
2.6
SENSITIVE SPECIES...........................................................................................................
8
2.6.1 Preble's meadow jumping'mouse................................................................................
8
2.6.2 Ute ladies' — tresses orchid and Colorado Butterfly Plant ...........................................
8
2.6.3 Other Threatened and Endangered (T&E) Species —Specially Valued Species .........
9
2.7
SPECIAL HABITAT FEATURES........................................................................................
9
2.8
WILDLIFE MOVEMENT CORRIDORS...........................................................................
10
2.9
GENERAL ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS.........................................................................10
2.10
TIMING OF DEVELOPMENT AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS .................10
2.11
MITIGATION MEASURES...............................................................................................
10
3.0
SUMMARY.........................................................................................................................11
4.0
REFERENCES.....................................................................................................................12
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure1. Study Area Map................................................................................................................. 2
Figure 2. CSURF Research Campus Conceptual Land Use Plan ..................................................... 4
Figure 3. Wetlands, Other Natural Features and Buffer Zones......................................................... 7
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix A. Photos of the Study Area
Appendix B. Sample Point Data Sheets
SMITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING
Ecological Characterization
AVA Solar Project
City of Fort Collins, Larimer County,
Colorado
Prepared for:
The Neenan Company
2620 E. Prospect Road, Suite 100
Fort Collins, Colorado 80525
(970)419-1875
Prepared by:
Smith Environmental and Engineering
12071 Tejon Street, Suite 470
Westminster, Colorado 80234
(720) 887-4928
October 17, 2007
SMITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING
SMITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING
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