HomeMy WebLinkAboutPOUDRE SCHOOL DISTRICT, 2003 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - SITE PLAN ADVISORY REVIEW - 5-02 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT(a) Wildlife use of the area is described in Section 3.0.
(b) As indicated in Section 3.0, the only wetlands on the property are within the Mail Creek Ditch. The
Corps of Engineers would not consider these wetlands jurisdictional.
(c) The majority of the property currently provides partial views of the Front Range to the west.
(d) As described under Section 3.0, the only significant native trees or other sites of native vegetation are
large plains cottonwoods to the south and north of the property.
(e) There are no natural drainages on or near the property.
(f) There was no evidence of the presence of specially valued species or their habitats within or near the
property. There is no suitable habitat for Preble's meadow jumping mouse or Ute ladies' -tresses orchid on
or adjacent to the property. In addition, no prairie dogs are present on the site, and there is no suitable
habitat for burrowing owl.
(g) Because of past cultivation of alfalfa hayland over the entire parcel, there are no special habitat
features on the property.
(h) There are no suitable wildlife movement corridors on the property. The Mail Creek Ditch is a relatively
small irrigation ditch, and active cultivation approaches right to the edge of the ditch, thereby precluding
the development of suitable security cover for wildlife movement along the ditch. The Mail Creek Ditch is
connected to Fossil Creek Reservoir to the southeast, but its value as a wildlife movement corridor from
Mail Creek east and through the school property is restricted by development and cropland along most of
its length as well as by major road crossings at South Lemay Avenue, Timberline Road, and County Road
No. 9 which disrupt the continuity of the ditch. However, the ditch is likely to receive some travel use by
urban and agriculturally adapted species such as raccoon and striped skunk.
5.0 WILDLIFE MITIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS
There will be no impacts to important wildlife habitats or special habitat features with project development.
School development would have no effect on existing tree and shrub stands to the north and south of the
property. The only recommended wildlife mitigation measure would be to maintain the Mail Creek Ditch in
its existing condition so the ditch would be continued to be used for movement by urban adapted species
such as raccoon and striped skunk. The value of this ditch as a wildlife movement corridor from the
property to Fossil Creek Reservoir could also be enhanced by the establishment of native shrubs and
trees along the ditch portion of the property boundary.
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and non-native green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanicus) trees, ranging in size from 8 inches to 2 feet dbh and
40 to 60 feet tall.
Trees to the north of the property consist of single, small Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila), boxelder (Ater
negundo), and American elm (Ulmus Americana) trees with an understory of chokecherry (Prunus
virginiana), wild plum (Prunus americana), and wild rose (Rosa woodsiâ–º) shrubs growing on the Mail Creek
Ditch (see Figure 2). Further to the north, large cottonwoods and a variety of non-native trees such as
black walnut (Juglans nigra), red mulberry (Morns rubra), apple (Malus sp.), and boxelder grow along the
ditch and in association with a private residence.
Trees near the property provide nesting and perching habitat primarily for urban -adapted songbirds. No
evidence of raptor nesting activity was noted in any of the trees within 500 feet of the school property
boundaries.
3.3 Mail Creek Ditch
The only evidence of hydric soils, wetland vegetation, or hydrologic features indicating wetland conditions
on the property was recorded within the Mail Creek Ditch. Wetland vegetation is contained with the
irrigation ditch embankments, and the Corps of Engineers would not consider these wetlands
jurisdictional since the wetlands have been created by water used solely for irrigation purposes.
Mail Creek Ditch ranges from 3 to 5 feet wide along the property boundary. Vegetation species recorded
along the moist, inside bank slopes of this ditch were Emory's sedge (Carex emoryi), reed canarygrass
(Phalaris arundinacea), wild licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota), Canada thistle, Canada goldenrod (Solidago
canadensis), smooth scouring rush (Equisitum laevigatum), showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa), and
asparagus (Asparagus officinalis). The dryer portions of the outer ditch embankments are dominated by
smooth brome and Canada thistle. No trees or shrubs grow along Mail Creek Ditch adjacent to the school
property boundary. Photo 2 provides a view of the Mail Creek ditch.
Because of the narrow configuration of this ditch, lack of woody cover, and proximity of adjacent alfalfa
hayland, wildlife use of the Mail Creek Ditch is similar to that described for adjacent alfalfa hayfield habitats.
The only wildlife observation in the Mail Creek Ditch was raccoon tracks in the mud along the ditch bottom.
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 following section, 5.0 Wildlife Mitigation
Recommendations.
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Photo 1. View of Alfalfa Hayfield Habitat on the 2003 Elementary School Site. (View is
from west edge of property looking east_ Alfalfa hayfield occupies the entire site.)
Photo 2. View of Mail Creek Ditch Along East Property Boundary. (View is from south-
east property corner looking northwest.)
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No problem erosion areas were noted on site during the field reconnaissance. The existing soils on the
property area are not classified as hydric (wetland). The only evidence of hydric soils, wetland vegetation,
or hydrologic features, indicating wetland conditions on or near the property, was recorded within the Mail
Creek Ditch.
Existing land uses within the property consist entirely of alfalfa hayfield (see Figure 2). The entire site is
comprised of a nearly level, field that has been irrigated and mowed for hay production. The Mail Creek
Ditch runs along the eastern property boundary. The Mail Creek Ditch diverts irrigation water from the Mail
Creek drainage to the northwest and eventually empties into Fossil Creek Reservoir approximately 1.25
miles southeast of the property. There are no natural drainages on or adjacent to the property.
The following sections summarize the characteristics of habitats existing on the property and wildlife use
of the area.
3.1 Alfalfa Hayfield
As indicated, the entire project area consists of a nearly level alfalfa hayfield dominated primarily by alfalfa
(Medicago sativa) plants. Other common, but less dominant, species recorded in alfalfa hayfield included
smooth brome (Bromus inermis), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), common dandelion (Taraxacum
officinale), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), and kochia (Kochia scoparia).
Total vegetation cover was estimated to average between 60 and 80 percent cover. Vegetation height
was generally less than 12 inches because of past mowing. A representative view of alfalfa hayfield is
provided in Photo 1.
Habitat value and wildlife use of alfalfa hayfield habitat is limited by seasonal mowing practices and the lack
of any woody vegetation diversity. Mice, voles, and western meadowlark are the only species likely to
establish resident populations in alfalfa hayfield and weedy edge areas. Songbirds such as Brewer's
blackbird, common grackle, and black -billed magpie may also occasionally use alfalfa hayland habitat.
Mammalian predators such as raccoon, coyote, and red fox may also occasionally wander through or hunt
in alfalfa hayfields. There was no evidence of prairie dogs or prairie dog burrows observed on or adjacent
to the property. No wildlife species were observed in alfalfa hayfield habitat during the field survey.
3.2 Trees
No trees grow on the property, but clumps of mature trees and shrubs grow within 500 feet of the property
to the north and south (see Figure 2). Trees to the south of the property consist primarily of cottonwoods
(Populus deltoides), ranging in size from 3 to 6 feet dbh (diameter at breast height) and 40 to 60 feet tall,
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Poudre School District
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FIGURE 1
Location of the Poudre School
District's 2003 Elementary School Site
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ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY REPORT
FOR THE
POUDRE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S 2003 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SITE
1.0 INTRODUCTION AND LOCATION
This report documents the evaluation of habitat conditions on the proposed Poudre School District 2003
Elementary School development 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 an
Ecological Characterization Study. The proposed 11.4-acre development parcel is located in the
southwest 1 /4 of the northwest 1/4 of Section 8 (T. 6 N. R. 68 W.). The property boundaries are defined
by Timberline Road on the west, an alfalfa field and the Westchase development to the south, and
agricultural fields on the north and east. The Mail Creek Ditch also runs along the property's eastern
boundary. Figure 1 depicts the property location.
2.0 METHODOLOGY
Cedar Creek completed a field survey of the 2003 Elementary School property on October 23, 2001.
Field surveys of the property were conducted to characterize existing wildlife habitats, as well as to identify
any unique or sensitive natural resource features, including wetlands. 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. 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
According to the Soil Conservation Service's (SCS) Soil Survey of Larimer County Area, Colorado, the
predominant soil on the property is Nunn clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes. Nunn clay loam is a deep, well -
drained soil on high terraces and fans. Runoff is slow to medium, the hazard of wind erosion is slight, and
the hazard of water erosion is moderate. The only other soil on the property is Fort Collins loam, 1 to 3
percent slopes along the Mail Creek Ditch at the southeast property corner. This is a deep well -drained
soil that formed in alluvium. Runoff is slow for this soil and the hazards of wind and water erosion is slight.
ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY REPORT
FOR THE
POUDRE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S 2003 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SITE
Prepared
by
Cedar Creek Associates, Inc.
Fort Collins, Colorado
Prepared
for
Poudre School District
Fort Collins, Colorado
October 25, 2001