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Home My WebLink AboutHARMONY TECH. PARK AMENDED ODP - 12-97C - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTThere are no areas of suitable Preble's meadow jumping mouse or Ute ladies' -tresses orchid habitat along the canal or anywhere else on the property. Adjacent lands consist of residences with landscaped yards, cultivated cropland (primarily non-native grass/alfalfa hayfields), commercial developments, and roadways. Wetland. As indicated one small pocket of wetland habitat was located along the pasture grass/weedy slope near the southeast property corner (see Figure 2). Reed canarygrass was the dominant wetland species supported in this wetland, although a single unidentified tree also grows at this site (see Photo 6). A magpie nest in disrepair was noted in the tree. The wetland appeared to have been created by a slump in the slope that collects irrigation water runoff from the adjacent alfalfa hayfield. It is unlikely that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would consider this to be a jurisdictional wetland since irrigation water appears to support this wetland. WILDLIFE MITIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS Since the Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet Canal and adjacent pasture grass/weedy slope habitat represents the only wildlife habitat of any value on or adjacent to the property, the only recommended mitigation measure is the protection of this habitat corridor. It is recommended that a minimum 50-foot development setback be maintained from the west edge of the canal or that existing pasture grass/weedy slope habitat be maintained, whichever provides the greatest setback from the canal. This recommendation would preserve the small wetland site and the red fox den as well as mammal and waterfowl use of the existing canal habitat corridor. IIA jr;�rr I f, r' ', Ar t , T N Y / • r, ' n � i��v � 1 ^\��\ �� 1!r .�A Ri{o�rt \�, '`� I I .�j r � \ , rFRf�il�. ; �v`�M•\��S�hi 811 , Fr �'r r ��7r�r�.. S r ` iYjyyl�/ � • , 110�! "v,p, i s r 1 :-� n 1 ,, 1 i'` 1� �•}•„1�� n :; ' ,t 'y't )y`��.It 6\ 14 it le f�j�fi l � _ � i 11 t,� •r f v a Photo 5. View of Possible Red Fox Den in Pasture Grass/Weedy Slope Habitat. ' __ — .. _-._"`.__ ate. •_ -- - -- •~��' w�! lam.44 Al r 1p.At It. 4W JGU@:Y�tw��;t '.t,�n.:��i:'�i�,;'--._' •r*t�`�"�!�,�'� 'i1t?^'�Ist�''71►- Photo 6. View of Small Wetland Inclusion and Small Tree in Pasture Grass/Weedy Slope Habitat. (View is from edge of alfalfa hayland looking east toward Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet Canal in middle background, Far background is existing sand and gravel operation east of County Road 7.) 9 to support somewhat larger and more diverse populations of small mammals and songbirds. Mature seeds from common sunflower attract species such as house finch, American goldfinch, and pine siskin on a seasonal basis. Pasture Grass/Weedy Slope and the Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet Canal. The Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet Canal is a constructed waterway that carries irrigation water from the Cache la Poudre River to Fossil Creek Reservoir. The canal and associated pasture grass/weedy slope on the west side provide the only wildlife habitat of any value on or adjacent to the property. The pasture grass/weedy slope habitat along the west side of the ditch is vegetated primarily by smooth brome and intermediate wheatgrass or pockets of weedy species such as kochia, cheatgrass, and field bindweed. Woody vegetation is essentially nonexistent except for a few scattered rubber rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus) shrubs, one small plains cottonwood (Populus sargentiv) tree, and a small unidentified tree. The ditch maintenance road runs along the east side of the ditch, and this side of the ditch is essentially devoid of vegetation cover. Photo 4 provides a representative view of the canal and adjacent pasture grass/weedy slope habitat. Dense grass cover along the west side slope provides terrestrial habitat for species such as red fox, raccoon, striped skunk, cottontail rabbit, and possibly deer while aquatic habitat in the canal provides resting and loafing habitat for dabbling ducks such as mallard and green -winged teal. A large excavated burrow was located in pasture grass/weedy slope habitat near the southeast property corner (see Figure 2). The size and configuration if the burrow (see Photo 5) as well as nearby tracks and scat indicated the burrow to be a possible red fox den. Overall terrestrial habitat value along the canal and the suitability of the canal as a wildlife movement corridor is limited because of the general lack of woody vegetation cover along the canal and the close proximity of roads, grazed pasture, and cropland along most of its length. In addition, the value of the canal as a wildlife movement corridor is restricted by a lack of continuity with other natural areas. The north end of the canal is connected to the Cache la Poudre River riparian corridor over 3.5 miles to the north of the property, but south of the river and north of the property it passes through culverted crossings under Horsetooth Road and Harmony Road as well as developed land and extensive areas of agricultural land. South of the property the canal continues through primarily pastureland and cropland before emptying into Fossil Creek Reservoir, approximately 1 mile to the south. The ditch is in close proximity to and crosses under County Road 7 near the southeast property corner. The overall value of the canal corridor as aquatic habitat for waterbirds is minimized by fluctuating water levels and steep side banks that restrict the development of adjacent wetlands and areas suitable for foraging and nesting by most waterbirds. 0 looking southeast toward southeast property corner.) M Ala. Photo 4. View of Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet Canal and Adjacent Pasture Grass/Weedy Slope Habitat. (View is looking north from a point near the southeast property corner. The canal maintenance road on the east side of the ditch is visible along the right side of the canal.) INA I II 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Photo 1. View of Cultivated Cropland Habitat. (View is from southeast corner of cropland looking northwest toward Celestica facility.) Photo 2. View of Alfalfa Hayland Habitat. (View is from northeast corner of hayland looking southwest toward southwest property corner.) Cultivated Cropland. Cropland cultivated for row crop (e.g. corn, wheat, etc.) production occupies the remainder of the western halt of the site. Cropland has very limited value as wildlife habitat since vegetation cover is only present on a short-term basis due to seasonal harvesting and cultivation. Cultivation practices have resulted in the removal of native vegetation and the invasion of plants consisting primarily of non-native, weedy grass and forb species around the perimeter of the fields. Non- native upland species noted along the cultivated field edges included smooth brome (Bromus inermis), cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), kochia (Kochia scoparia), flixweed (Descurainia sophia), and Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense). Various wheatgrasses (Agropyron spp.) were also noted in these edge areas. Mice, voles, and ground squirrels are the only species likely to establish resident populations in cropland and the weedy edge areas. Songbirds such as western meadowlark, Brewer's blackbird, common grackle, and horned lark will also occasionally use cropland habitats. Once crops are harvested, Canada geese will occasionally move into croplands to feed on leftover grain or corn, but dryland or unflooded cropland is of limited foraging value for most other waterfowl species. A representative view of cultivated cropland on the property is provided by Photo 1. Alfalfa Havland. Alfalfa hayland occupies the majority of the eastern half of the property. Dominant vegetation species supported within the hayland portion of the property were alfalfa (Medicago sativa), green (oxtail (Setaria viridis), common dandelion, smooth brome, field bindweed, prostrate knotweed (Polygonum aviculare), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), cheatgrass, and Canada thistle. All of the grasses recorded in mowed hayfield areas were non-native weedy or pasture grass species. Habitat value and wildlife use of hayland is also limited by seasonal removal of vegetation cover resulting from mowing operations (see Photo 2). Wildlife use of this habitat is similar to cropland except that seasonal availability grain or com forage is lacking for Canada geese. Pasture. A small parcel of pasture used for livestock grazing is present near the northeast property comer. Small parcels of pasture are also present within the private inholding on the property (see Figure 2). Pasture areas support relatively dense vegetation cover comprised primarily of non-native pasture grasses such as smooth brome, intermediate wheatgrass (Agropyron intermedium), and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis). Vegetation cover in these areas is close cropped due to grazing pressure. Wildlife use of grazed pasture is similar to that described for alfalfa hayland. Fallow/Weedy Field. This habitat appeared to have been previously cultivated but has been left fallow and is dominated by primarily by annual weedy species (see Photo 3). Common vegetation species in these habitat were redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus), common sunflower (Helianthus annuus), kochia, and field bindweed. Past disturbance as well as the lack of native vegetation and woody species limits the habitat value of this area. However, increased vegetation cover and forage availability may serve 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 a, d �S _ �O � oo r— CD m 'O N C m / _ .. / d w'QO + o cOi a LL 0. _ .11 cc: 0 N CUV 2 o m ax u. LL a F" M c .0 O .. Co o o r<cu 2 cc m �y aJ = • co CL 'S v N x O c0 cQ G a cam° > 7 = x Q � i 1 N N 47 ■ � f9 t6 � � L 5 ° cc " a U U O 0 N oa d '3 L U U L • O ca ai N F) 1 U 4 I within small private property inholdings. There are no native vegetation communities on the property. In addition, there are no drainages or irrigation ditches large enough to serve as wildlife movement corridors within the property boundaries. However, the Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet Canal runs along the eastern boundary of the property. There is a topographic break, separating existing nearly level hayland from the Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet Canal, that has been created by moderate to steep slopes varying in width from approximately 45 feet near the northeast corner of the property to as much as 100 to 150 feet along the southeast property boundary from existing haylands. There is minimal woody cover along this slope (a few small trees) and habitat supported between the canal and adjacent, level hayland consists predominantly of introduced pasture grasses and weedy species According to the Soil Survey of Larimer County Area, Colorado (SCS 19W), predominant soils on the property are Nunn day loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, and Nunn clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes. These are deep, well -drained soil units. Runoff is slow to medium, the hazard of wind erosion is slight, and the hazard of water erosion is slight to moderate. These are not classified as hydric soils, and there was no evidence of vegetation or hydrologic features characteristic of wetland conditions located within these soil mapping units. Two other soil mapping units exist along the slope that runs along the west side of the Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet Canal. These are Larimer-Stoneham complex, 3 to 10 percent slopes along the northern two-thirds of the eastern property boundary and Larim gravely sandy loam, 5 to 40 percent slopes along the southern one-third of the eastern property boundary. Runoff is medium to rapid on these deep, well -drained soils, and the hazard of erosion is moderate to severe. These are also not classified as hydric soils, and there was little evidence of vegetation or hydrologic features characteristic of wetland conditions observed along the eastern property boundary. One small pocket of wetland vegetation (primarily reed canarygrass, Phalaris arundinacea) was noted near the southeast property comer where irrigation water runoff apparently had created an erosion slump along the slope leading down to the Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet Canal. As indicated habitats and land uses on the property consist of commercial property, cultivated cropland, alfalfa hayland, pasture, fallow/weedy field, pasture grass/weedy slope, the Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet Canal, and one small wetland inclusion. The extent and location of these habitats and land use types are shown on Figure 2. The following sections summarize the characteristics of habitats or land uses existing on the property. Commercial Prooerty. The Celestica development occupies the northwest corner of the property and consists primarily of buildings and paved parking lots. Wildlife use of this parcel is restricted to minor amounts of songbird use of landscaped areas and existing large cottonwood trees. 9 a FIGURE 1 p I Location of Willow Brook Project Area Scale: 1" - 2,000' Map Source: USGS 7 1/2' Quadrangles - `t Fort Collins and Timnath, CO I, I \• 0 I 1 4A5< 34 V T. 7 N. Fy Harmony Rpad ) T. 6 N. iU I m A r Willow Brook Project Area e M Closest distance from Fossilj Creek Reservoir Inlet Canal and (3 Willowbrook Project Area equals 500 feet A o :,• R County Road 36 O U JJ1 �I O g 10 J ` �l ., ... 1; . EK DITCPI . . -NR.0&,-. 6 - K HABITAT ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR THE HARMONY TECHNOLOGY PARK ODP AMENDMENT PARCEL INTRODUCTION AND LOCATION This report documents the evaluation of habitat conditions on the Harmony Technology Park ODP Amendent parcel 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 a Habitat Characterization Study. The property consists of approximately 275 acres located entirely within the North 1 /2 of Section 4 in Township 7 North, Range 68 West. Property boundaries are defined, for the most part by the Harmony Road to the north, by County Road 9 to the west, the Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet Canal to the east, and by an existing fenceline and agricultural land to the south. The location of the property and property boundaries are shown on Figure 1. Existing land uses within the property include commercial property (Celestica), agricultural (cropland and hayland), residential, and livestock grazing. METHODOLOGY A field survey of the property was conducted to characterize existing wildlife habitats, as well as to identify any unique or sensitive natural resource features. Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly SCS) soils mapping (Soil Survey of Larimer County Area, Colorado) was also reviewed to determine if any known hydric soil mapping units were located on the property. The field evaluation of habitats was completed by Cedar Creek personnel on February 22 and 23, 2000. 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. Once the field survey was completed, final mapping of habitats and land use designations was completed. HABITAT CONDITIONS AND WILDLIFE USE The majority of the site is comprised of nearly level, cultivated cropland and hayland. The remainder of the property supports commercial development (Celestica), residential property, and livestock pasture. One small area at the southeast corner of the property appeared to be fallow cropland that supports mostly annual weedy species. Existing residences, livestock corrals, and livestock pastures are also present 1 HABITAT ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR THE HARMONY TECHNOLOGY PARK ODP AMENDMENT PARCEL Prepared by Cedar Creek Associates, Inc. Fort Collins, Colorado Prepared for Chateau Development Construction Greenwood Village, Colorado February 25, 2000