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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNIX FARM NATURAL AREA FACILITY - PDP/FDP - 10-01 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTHouse wren (seen occasionally on site feeding on insects in trees; not known to nest on site). American robin (seen regularly on site, likely nests in trees on site, but not a sensitive species). European starling (highly urban, exotic species; may nest on site; this species is not protected by any local, state, or federal agency). Yellow-rumped warbler (common migrant warbler observed feeding on insects in trees; not known to nest on site). Wilson's warbler (common migrant warbler observed feeding on insects in trees; not known to nest on site). Western tanager (common migratory songbird, but only seen occasionally on site). American tree sparrow (common wintering sparrow; seen regularly feeding in horse pasture and along bike trail). Chipping sparrow (common summer sparrow; seen occasionally feeding in horse pasture and along bike trail; not known to nest on site). Song sparrow (common sparrow seen regularly in low area adjacent to Poudre River Bike Trail; not known to nest on site). Dark -eyed junco (common in winter regularly feeding in low area adjacent to Poudre River Bike Trail). Red -winged blackbird (common all year long feeding on site; nests in marshes and in small shrubs along pond; can tolerate a lot of disturbance). Western meadowlark (seen frequently feeding in horse pasture, but not known to nest on site). Common grackle (highly urban; may nest on site; this species is not protected by any local, state, or federal agency). House finch (highly urban species; probably nests on site, but not a sensitive species). American goldfinch (occasionally seen feeding on weed seeds along Poudre River Trail or along the ponds; not known to nest on site). House sparrow (highly urban, exotic species; may nest on site; this species is not protected by any local, state, or federal agency). Mammals and Reptiles: Eastern cottontail (commonly seen in fields). Fox squirrel (commonly seen in trees). Deer mice (common field mouse). House mouse (common, exotic mouse of old buildings). Red fox (occasionally seen hunting for small rodents on site). Coyote (occasionally seen hunting for small rodents in areas adjacent to site). Raccoon (took up residency in attics once humans moved out of houses; accesses were closed off after young were able to fend for themselves). Garter snake (common along trail). Attachment— Page 2 Wildlife Species Observed on Proposed Nix Maintenance Facility Development Site (1984-2000) Birds: Canada goose (seen feeding occasionally in pasture fields). Mallard (seen feeding occasionally in pasture fields). Red-tailed hawk (seen occasionally perched in large cottonwood next to the Poudre River Bike Trail). American kestrel (seen occasionally perched in large cottonwood next to the Poudre River Bike Trail) Ring-necked pheasant (seen occasionally in field along railroad track, but not for nearly a decade). Killdeer (seen occasionally feeding on insects in horse pasture). Ring -billed gull (seen occasionally feeding on insects in horse pasture). Rock dove (highly urban, exotic species; may nest on site; this species is not protected by any local, state, or federal agency). Mourning dove (seen occasionally feeding or picking up grit on site). Barn owl (late fall 2000 resident of top floor of historic barn; unknown if will nest in barn; only 1 observed, thus far). Great -horned owl (seen occasionally in past years perched in large cottonwood next to the Poudre River Bike Trail; known nest was 1 mile from Nix). Common nighthawk (seen regularly flying over site catching insects). Belted kingfisher (seen occasionally perched in small trees on upper bank of west Kingfisher Point Ponds; nests in banks along river --more than %4 mile from area to be disturbed at Nix). Downy woodpecker (seen occasionally feeding on insects on trees; not known to nest on site). Northern flicker (seen regularly feeding on insects on trees, but not known to nest on site). Horned lark (seen occasionally feeding on insects in horse pasture). Northern rough -winged swallow (seen regularly flying over site and feeding on insects; nests in banks along river --more than 1/4 mile from area to be disturbed at Nix). Barn swallow (seen regularly flying over site and feeding on insects; not known to nest on site). Blue jay (seen occasionally in trees on site; not known to nest on site). Black -billed magpie (seen regularly feeding on site; known to nest on site, but not a sensitive species). American crow (seen occasionally on site; not known to nest on site). Black -capped chickadee (seen regularly on site feeding on insects in trees; not known to nest on site). Attachment --Page 1 No rare migratory or resident butterflies are known to occur within a half mile of the Nix site. The site also does not contain any areas of high terrestrial or aquatic insect diversity. The site contains no rock outcrops and, thus, likely contains no geological or paleontological resources. The site does not contain any irrigation ditches. There are only a few small feeder ditches used to irrigate the existing pasture. These are not used as wildlife corridors. (h) The Nix site is not used as a major wildlife movement corridor. Deer are commonly seen along the river in the wooded area (beyond the Nix boundary, but not on the site directly). Smaller mammals, such as fox and coyotes do move through the site and use the area for hunting, but the major movement corridor is along the river. However, construction of the facility is not expected to limit movement of animals on the site due to the preservation of open land around the facility. The only new building will be the shop, which will still provide at least 150 feet between the railroad track and the fencing around the building for animals that choose to make their way along this route. No additional buildings or additional fencing will be placed in the area more frequently used for movement (along the Poudre River). (i) The site's current main ecological function is to provide a limited feeding area for urban birds and mammals. A few of these bird species are also known to nest, or likely nest, on the site. Rabbits, squirrels, mice, raccoons, and garter snakes also rear young on the site. This ecological function of the site will actually be increased after development due to the restoration of overgrazed pastures to native meadow and addition of a variety of native trees and shrubs. 0) There are no issues regarding timing of development -related activities due to the ecological character of the site, with the exception that if the barn owl should nest in the barn, then any work on the third floor or roof should be delayed until after nesting and brood rearing period (could occur anytime during March -September). (k) No projected impacts of natural habitats or features are anticipated; thus, no measures will be needed to mitigate for these impacts. However, the applicants will be restoring overgrazed pastures to native meadow species and planting a variety of native trees and shrubs on the site to enhance the wildlife use of the area. 3 western snowberry. The applicants anticipate no need to remove any of the native trees or shrubs. Plantings used for screening and landscaping will increase the number and diversity of the woody native species. Areas to be disturbed by construction are dominated by introduced grasses (e.g., smooth brome, crested wheatgrass). (e) The site does not contain any perennial stream or body of water, but is adjacent to two natural areas containing such features: Poudre River (Bignall Natural Area) and two ponds (Kingfisher Point Natural Area). Bank, shoreline, and high water marks are shown on maps that will be submitted with the development application. (f) Very few native grass or wildflower species (and no rare or sensitive species) have been recorded on the site. The applicants will be increasing the diversity and abundance of native grasses and wildflower species on the site when they restore the horse pasture and reseed the hay field next to the railroad track after construction of the maintenance shop. Likewise, the site does not provide habitat for rare or sensitive wildlife species and none have been observed using the site for nesting, denning, or as a primary feeding area. (g) The site does not contain any of the Special Features listed in Sub Section 3.4.1 A (2) of the City's Land Use Code. No significant remnants of native plant communities or potential habitats for rare, threatened, or endangered plants occur on the site. Likewise, no potential habitats or known locations of rare, threatened or endangered animals occur on the site. The Nix site is not a major raptor feeding or concentration area; no raptors are known to nest on the site. The site is adjacent to the west ponds of Kingfisher Point. However, these ponds are not used extensively by any sensitive migratory or nesting waterfowl; the east ponds (east of Timberline) are used a bit more by more sensitive migratory and wintering waterfowl (e.g., common goldeneyes). Also, the west ponds receive only minor use by migratory shorebirds. Riverbend Ponds is the major concentration site in the area. The site has been pastured and hayed and is not a key nesting area for grassland birds. Fox and coyotes do use the site for hunting, but no fox or coyote dens occur on the site. The site will likely increase in value as a hunting area for foxes and coyotes after grassland restoration and removal of horses that have overgrazed the site. The site is not a mule deer winter concentration area; in fact, no mule deer have been observed on the site, although they have been seen along the river. Mule deer and white- tailed deer that occur in this portion of the Poudre River area are resident and numbers do not increase in winter. The site is located too far from the foothills to be used by mule deer moving from higher to lower elevations in the winter. No prairie dogs occur on the site. The nearest prairie dog colony is located along Spring Creek, about a mile to the south of the site. 2 Commu y Planning and Environmental :vices mcyc/ed Paper Natural Resources Department City of Fort Collins MEMORANDUM DATE: February 5, 2001 TO: Kim Kreimeyer, Environmental Planner Doug Moore, Environmental Planner FROM: Karen Manci, Senior Environmental Planner RE: Nix Ecological Characterization The following is an Ecological Characterization for the proposed Nix Maintenance Facility development. (a) Thirty-eight species of birds, seven species of mammals, and one reptile species have been observed within the boundaries of the proposed Nix Maintenance Facility site over the last 16 years (see attached list). With the exception of the barn owl that has recently taken up residence in the top floor of the historic barn on the site, all species are common and typically found throughout Fort Collins. Should the barn owl decide to nest in the barn, the applicants will take appropriate action to avoid undo disturbance (i.e., replace roof and do any repairs to top floor outside of its nesting and brood rearing period --typically March - September). However, as the name of this bird suggests, it can cohabit with humans and is not disturbed by normal "barn" activity. (b) A wetland delineation of the site is being conducted for submittal with the development application. (c) Portions of the development will be visible from Timberline Road, Poudre River Bike Trail, and Riverside Avenue; thus, every effort will be made to preserve and enhance the historic look of the farmstead and screen with vegetation where appropriate. The Front Range, Kingfisher Point ponds, and Poudre River Corridor are visible from the site and efforts will be made to preserve these views. The new building will not impact the prominent views from any resident, commercial, or public facility in the area. (d) The vegetation on the site is primarily composed of introduced species. Native trees and shrubs include a few cottonwoods, inland boxelders, rabbitbrush, fringed sage, American plum, common chokecherry, golden currant, Wood's rose, coyote willow, and 281 N. College Ave. • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (970) 221-6600 e FAX (970) 224-6177 ATTACHMENT V Nix Farm Ecoloaical Characterization Memorandum EAPROJECT FILES\LAND\1968V\doc\v1968PDPstate.doc