HomeMy WebLinkAboutPROMONTORY - PDP - 32-99 - CORRESPONDENCE - WILDLIFE DOCUMENTScc: Steve Olt, City Planner
John Strachan, President
John Moen, Ditch Rider
conditions potentially encourage "dams" and water restrictions caused by debris
in the ditch and then flooding and flood damage; c) large trees which are dead or
have roots which attract snags and restrict ditch flow be eliminated and, d) the
grass be cut in order to allow the ditch company trucks and backhoes to pass
reasonably and conveniently along the ditch access -way as well as comply with
the City of Fort Collins weed control and weed height ordinances.
There is however one positive present reality about the ditch situation that they
pointed out. This reality is that, with the exception of cutting and burning the
ditch bank grass, cattails and shrubs annually each spring, such vegetation is
virtually impossible to control the rest of the year and often grows two or three
feet in a season. Therefore, during much of the year there is considerable
wildlife cover and habitat along both ditch banks. This circumstance is enhanced
at this particular section of this ditch because of the fact that the ditch runs
almost level here, there is a fair amount of clay in the soil and accordingly there
is standing water and wet subsoil almost year-round. This results in thicker and
faster growing vegetation as well as providing water supply for wildlife.
Another positive present reality is that the large stand of trees is not at this time
negatively impacting the flow of the ditch, nor are the trees dead or dying or
causing a hazard to the public.
Also the ditch company officials concur with the Colorado Division of Wildlife's
assessment of the situation, a copy of which is enclosed, and furthermore they
are of the opinion that encouraging more wildlife in this area would result in more
dead wildlife on the streets and more domestic pets becoming a food source for
such wildlife.
That is the follow-up of our meeting, Tom, and my assessment of the situation.
I am sorry that I cannot present you with more positive findings and that is the
reason that I have been somewhat wordy in explaining the ditch company's
position about this. If I can be of any further help, please contact me.
Best regards.
Sincerely,
JoTnr outy, President
J P/vd/kw
Enclosure
October 10, 2000
Tom Shoemaker
City of Fort Collins
Natural Resources Department
P. O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
Re: Promontory Project / Larimer County Canal #2 / Wildlife Considerations
Dear Tom:
Following up my offer to the Planning and Zoning Board, I committed, as you
recall, to make my best possible efforts to try to obtain the ditch company's
cooperation and consent to allow us to enhance wildlife habitat in their ditch
easement. I met with John Strachan, the president of Larimer County Canal #2,
and John Moen, ditch rider for same, on October 4th. We spent about an hour
on the site and discussed all aspects of the ditch, ditch easement, ditch
maintenance, ditch requirements, and of course, most significantly wildlife and
wildlife habitat considerations.
The primary attributes of the site from a standpoint of wildlife habitat, I believe,
are a) the running or standing water in the ditch, b) the stand of large trees to the
south of ditch, and c) the thick grass, cattails, willows and scrub shrubs along
both banks.
The ditch company is happy to have the present grassy areas reseeded, which
areas will be impacted as a result of our construction, however they are
adamantly opposed to either a) planting any types of shrubs or larger enhanced
grass, cattails, shrubs or other vegetation anywhere on the ditch bank or in their
easement and b) to the idea that grass on the top of the ditch bank be allowed to
grow and get tall.
The reasons for this are reasonable and founded in long ditch company tradition
and history. One reason is that the ditch company's (which has had its ditch and
easement in place for over fifty years) primary concern is to efficiently carry water
for agriculture and domestic purposes. This requires that a) as many sources of
potential leakage as possible be plugged including animal holes, natural soil
conditions and otherwise (sometimes even requiring clay and/or concrete lining);
b) shrubs, cattails and grass along the ditch bank be not only burned seasonally,
but also cut back so that they don't hinder the flow of the'water, and'urid& flood
3307 South College Avenue, Suite 200, Fort Collins, CO 80525 • (970) 226-5000 • Fax (970) 226-5125