HomeMy WebLinkAboutTHE FARMSTEAD - PDP - 8-03 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTi
existing developments approach to the edge of the ditch on both sides of the farmstead property. In
addition, the continuity of the ditch as a movement corridor is disrupted by numerous cement culvert road
crossing. The few urban -adapted species that could use the ditch for movement will continue to use the
ditch with the proposed development, especially since the north side of the ditch would not be
developed.
Wetlands supported within the ditch occupy less than 0.25 acre, therefore no wetland buffer stands
' would apply to this property. Because of surrounding development and the lack of native habitats or
habitat features, there are no other environmental protection measures or City of Fort Collins Buffer Zone
' Standards that would apply to the proposed development.
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Photo 3. View of the New Mercer Ditch Immediately East of the Northeast Corner of the
Farmstead Property. (Note lack of vegetation cover along both sides of ditch. Grandview
Cemetary is on the right, and LaPorte Avenue is on the left.)
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Photo 4. View of the New Mercer Ditch Immediately North of the Northwest Corner of the
Farmstead Property. (Note residential yard development right up to the ditch edges.)
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(d) Because of past conversions to non-native grassland, there are no significant stands of native
vegetation within the property boundaries. The only significant vegetation features within 500 feet of the
property are the numerous mature trees supported at Grandview Cemetery.
(e) No natural drainages or water bodies exist on the property. Documentation of floodplain boundaries
for the drainage is beyond the scope of this report and is discussed in separate documents submitted for
this project.
(f) There is no suitable habitat for threatened, endangered, or sensitive species within the property
boundaries. Potentially suitable habitat conditions were judged not to be present for Preble's meadow
jumping mouse along the New Mercer Ditch. This determination was based on a lack of wetland habitats
outside of the ditch embankments as well as a lack of continuity and suitable habitat connection from the
ditch to any nearby riparian habitats. There is also no suitable wetland habitat for the Ute ladies' -tresses
orchid on the property.
No evidence of raptor nesting activity was noted in any of the trees on or within 500 feet of the property.
Trees on the property lack suitable size and configuration to be suitable for raptor nesting activity.
(g) Because adjacent developments and past conversion of the property to non-native grassland, there
are no special habitat features on or near the property.
(h) The irrigation ditch on the property does not represent a potential wildlife movement corridor. The
ditch is small (4 to 5 feet) wide and provides minimal vegetation cover. Most segments of the ditch also
abut areas of non-native grassland that provide minimal wildlife cover. In addition, the continuity of the
ditch is disrupted by road crossings (LaPorte Avenue) as well as by residential and other developments
immediately adjacent to the ditch (see Photos 3 and 4).
(i) The general ecological functions provided by the Farmstead property are described under Section 3.0.
5.0 WILDLIFE MITIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS
The proposed conceptual plan for the Farmstead property calls for the development of 24 townhomes on
the south side of the New Mercer Ditch. No development is proposed for the area north of the ditch. Also
there would be no development impact on the ditch or wetlands supported within the ditch. General
mitigation recommendations are provided in this section based on existing habitat conditions and current
City of Fort Collins guidelines provided in Section 3.4.1 of the Land Use Code. As indicated there are no
special habitat features or important habitats present on the property.
Only one City of Fort Collins Buffer Zone Standard could potentially apply to the Farmstead property. This
standard is a 50-foot setback for ditches that serve as wildlife movement corridors. Based on this report's
analysis (see item "h" above), a 50-foot setback would not be appropriate for the New Mercer Ditch since
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Photo 1. View of Non-native Grassland North of the New Mercer Ditch on the Farmstead
Property. (View is from northeast property corner looking west. Ditch is on left and in
background of photo. Trees along ditch are all small Siberian elms.)
Photo 2. View of Non-native Grassland South of the New Mercer Ditch on the Farmstead
Property. (View is from southeast property corner looking west. Ditch is on right of
photo.)
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3.2 New Mercer Ditch and Wetlands
The New Mercer Ditch enters the property at its northwest corner and exits near the northeast property
corner. The ditch embankment is nearly level with surrounding topography on the south side but is
elevated along the north side since site topography drops north of the ditch. No seeps or wetlands are
located on the Farmstead property outside of the ditch embankments. Narrow bands of wetland
vegetation are supported along the inside of the ditch embankments, however.
Wetlands supported within the ditch embankments are characterized by a narrow band of dense
vegetation dominated by reed canarygrass (Phalaroides arundinacea) and Emory's sedge (Carex emoryi).
Small stands of sandbar willow (Salix exigua) are also present near the east end of the ditch, but most of
these were in poor condition and were either dead or dying. Aside from the Siberian elms growing along
the ditch banks, the only other woody species observed on site was a partially decadent peach -leaf willow
(Salix amygdaloides) tree with a shrub -like growth form. Views of the north and south sides of the ditch are
provided by Photos 1 and 2.
The wetland within the ditch would likely be determined to be jurisdictional wetlands by the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers since water in the New Mercer Ditch eventually flows into the Cache la Poudre River
via the Mail Creek and Fossil Creek drainages.
Wetlands along the New Mercer Ditch occupy considerably less area than 0.25 acre and have limited
wildlife habitat value because of their small areal extent, surrounding non-native grassland habitat, lack of
continuity to other wetlands and native habitats, and highly variable water flows within the ditch. The New
Mercer Ditch has also limited value as a potential wildlife movement corridor because of the proximity of
residential and other developments along most portions of the ditch to the west and east of the Farmstead
Property.
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 0) and (k) are addressed under the following section, 5.0 Wildlife Mitigation
Recommendations.
(a) Wildlife use of the property is described in Section 3.0.
(b) The only wetlands located on the property are those supported along the irrigation ditch.
Characteristics of these wetlands are described in Section 3.2.
(c) Because of surrounding developments the Farmstead property provides no significant views of any
natural areas or features.
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Existing habitats and land uses within the Farmstead property consist of non-native grassland and
irrigation ditch. Surrounding land uses within 500 feet of the site include roadways, residential
development, commercial development, and the Grandview Cemetery. The following sections summarize
the characteristics of habitats on the property and wildlife use of the site.
3.1 Non-native Grassland
Non-native grassland occupies the majority of the project site. On the north side of the New Mercer Ditch,
non-native grassland is dominated almost entirely by mowed stands of smooth brome (Bromopsis inermisl
with minor amounts of Canada thistle (Breea arvensis), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), and leafy spurge
(Tithymalus uralensis) also being present. South of the New Mercer Ditch smooth brome remains the
dominant species, but there is greater representation by weedy species such as curly -cup gumweed
(Grindelia squarrosa), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola), salsify
(Tragopogon dubius), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), rough white aster (Virgulus falcatus), kochia
(Bassia sieversiana), cheatgrass (Anisantha tectorum), western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya),
prostrate knotweed (Polygonum arenastrum), and curly dock (Rumex crispus). Waste piles of dirt and sod
were also located in this area. Woody species are limited to a few rubber rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus
nauseosus) shrubs growing along the northern property fenceline and numerous, young (less than 3 to 4
inches diameter) Siberian elms (Ulmus pumila) growing along both sides of the New Mercer Ditch. Total
vegetation cover was estimated to average between 50 and 75 percent in non-native grassland. Photos 1
and 2 provide representative views of non-native grassland on both sides of the New Mercer Ditch.
Habitat value and wildlife use of non-native grassland habitat is limited because of low vegetation species
diversity, the relative lack of woody vegetation cover, the small size of the development parcel, and
surrounding nearby developments and roadways. Deer mouse, prairie vole, northern pocket gopher, and
western meadowlark are the only species likely to establish resident populations in this non-native
grassland parcel. Songbirds such as Brewer's blackbird, common grackle, and black -billed magpie may
also occasionally use non-native grassland habitat at this site. Urban -adapted species such as raccoon,
striped skunk, red fox, mourning dove, and Canada goose may occasionally move into non-native
grassland to seek prey or feed on grass or grass seeds. The site is too small to be hunted by most raptors
except for urban -adapted species such as American kestrel and great horned owl. There was no
evidence of prairie dogs or prairie dog burrows observed on the property.
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.
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FIGURE 11
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Location of The Farmstead Development Parcel
\ _ ; Scale: V = 2,000'
Map Source: USGS 7 1/2' Quadrangle - Fort Collins, Colorado
ON
ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY REPORT
FOR THE
FARMSTEAD DEVELOPMENT PARCEL
1.0 INTRODUCTION AND LOCATION
This report documents the evaluation of habitat conditions on the proposed Farmstead development
property in Fort Collins, Colorado. The report was prepared 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. The parcel of land addressed by this report consists of approximately 2 acres of undeveloped
land at the southwest corner of the intersection of LaPorte Avenue and Taft Hill Road. The property is
located in the Northeast '/, of the Southeast '/, of Section 9 (Township 6 North, Range 69 West). The
project location is depicted on Figure 1.
2.0 METHODOLOGY
Cedar Creek completed a field survey of the proposed development parcel on September 25, 2002. 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 CountyArea, Colorado) was
reviewed to determine if any known hydric (wetland) 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.
3.0 HABITAT CONDITIONS AND WILDLIFE USE
Topography of the majority of the project site is gently sloping to the north and east. According to the Soil
Conservation Service's (SCS) Soil Survey of Larimer County Area, Colorado, the soil map units on the
property include the following.
Fort Collins loam, 3-5% slopes
Nunn clay loam, wet, 1-3% slopes
Runoff is moderate on Fort Collins loam, and the hazard of wind and water erosion is moderate. On Nunn
clay loam, wet, 1-3 percent slopes runoff is slow, and the hazard of erosion is slight. No problem erosion
areas were noted on the property. Neither soil mapping unit is classified as hydric (wetland) although they
can contain hydric inclusions.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1.0 Introduction and Location...........................................................................................................1
2.0 Methodology.............................................................................................................................1
3.0 Habitat Conditions and Wildlife Use..............................................................................................1
' 3.1 Non-native Grassland............................................................................................................3
' 3.2 New Mercer Ditch and Wetlands............................................................................................4
4.0 Ecological Study Characterization Checklist.................................................................................4
' 5.0 Wildlife Mitigation Recommendations...........................................................................................6
ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY REPORT
FOR THE
FARMSTEAD DEVELOPMENT PARCEL
Prepared
by
Cedar Creek Associates, Inc.
Fort Collins, Colorado
Prepared
for
M. Torgerson Architects
Fort Collins, Colorado
September 30, 2002
CIEUDAM (MEEK
ASOCCRAMS,
916 Willshire Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80521 • (970) 493-4394