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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINTERSTATE LAND - MODIFICATION OF STANDARD - 49-02 - CORRESPONDENCE - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT (3)-.___ m Steve Olt - Re: Cooper Slough Buffer Page 1 From: Steve Olt To: Doug Moore; Joe Carter; Ted Shepard Date: 4/21 /03 1:53PM Subject: Re: Cooper Slough Buffer Joe, Because of my role as the City's reviewing planner for the Interstate Lands ODP I would very much like to be included in the meeting for the possible Cooper Slough buffer reduction. Thanks, Steve >>> "Joe Carter" <joe@cityscapeud.com> 04/21/03 11:13AM >>> Doug and Ted, Pending the next round of Land Use Code changes, we would like to meet with you regarding the buffer along this section of Cooper Slough adjacent to the Interstate Land project site. The site is located on the northwest corner of 1-25 and Prospect Road. According to our wetland consultant, Eric Berg, the Cooper Slough is not present south of the Cache La Poudre ditch on the USGS Quad map. The Natural Resources department maintains that the slough exists in this area. For sake of discussion, we consider this a remnant section of Cooper Slough at best. Adjacent to the Interstate Land site, this remnant section extends from the Cache La Poudre Ditch south towards Prospect Road along the western edge of the property. Eric Berg maintains that this remnant section of Cooper Slough does not have the type of wildlife habitat or ecological diversity associated with the Cooper Slough that runs north of Highway 14 because there is no standing or flowing water. Hence, as we discussed with Doug Moore last fall, a 300-foot buffer is not necessary along this remnant section of slough. In addition, it is our understanding that the Fort Collins stormwater department is planning intends to pipe/divert some of the storm flows associated with Cooper Slough. The diversion point would be north of the Interstate Land project. These flows would be taken from Cooper Slough and directed into Boxelder Creek. The meeting is intended to discuss the possibility of decreasing the 300-foot buffer along this remnant section of slough. The land use code currently does not distinguish between the section of the slough north of Highway 14 and the remnant section south of Highway 14. We maintain that these two sections of slough are on opposite ends of the ecological spectrum and that they buffered differently. We agree that a small buffer indicative of the habitat and ecological diversity should exist along these existing wetlands, but we feel strongly that a 300-foot buffer is excessive. A Friday morning meeting would be a good time for us to meet if that works with your schedules. I copied both Cameron and Steve on this email if they are interested in attending. Thank you. Joe Carter Landscape Architect