HomeMy WebLinkAboutJEFFERSON COMMONS PUD - PRELIMINARY - 50-95 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTG�PP��EH OF T y�yT
United States Department of the Interior
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FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
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ES/CO: ES/Species/Plants/
Spiranthes diluvialis/
Survey Reports
Mail Stop 65412
Ms. Karen A. Swchneller-McDonald
Cedar Creek Associates, Inc.
916 Willshire Avenue
Fort Collins, Colorado 80521
Dear Ms. Schneller-McDonald:
Ecological Services
Colorado Field Office
730 Simms Street, Suite 290
Golden, Colorado 80401
OCT 0 6 1995
Based on the authority conferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) by the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 153LeLseq.), the Service reviewed your habitat
survey report for the proposed development of 17.5 acres, including 1.4 acres of wetlands along
Plum Creek at the Orchard Place Site in Larimer County, Colorado (Township 7 North, Range 69
West, East 1/2 of Section 16).
The Service finds the report acceptable and agrees that suitable habitat for Spiranthes dilutdalis (Ute
ladies' -tresses orchid) is not present within the areas surveyed. Thus, the Service concurs with your
determination that the proposed project should not adversely affect the continued existence of this
orchid.
We appreciate your interest in conserving rare species. If the Service can be of further assistance,
please contact Jan McKee at (303) 231-5280.
Sincerely,
�v v
LeRoy . Carlson
Colorado Field Supervisor
cc: U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Littleton, Colorado (Attn: Terry McKee)
Reading file
Project file
H I. q I 'r' pliv
Reference: JPM*T&E\ORCHID\1995\SDKSM0918.WPF
jubatum), with upland grasses and thistle encroaching on the
wetland edges.
D. Geomorphology
This site consists of nearly level uplands traversed east to
west by a linear drainageway (wetlands) approximately 25 to 50
feet in width. Soils were formed from alluvium and mixed alluvial
deposits on high and low terraces and alluvial fans.
E. Soils
Soils at the site are described
Survey as follows:
Altvan-Satana loam. 3-9% slopes.
Nunn clay loam. 1-3% slopes. Deep
level soil.
Nunn clay loam, wet. 1-3% slopes.
nearly level soil; commonly adjacent
the wetland area on this property).
F. Hydrology
by the Larimer County Soil
Deep and well -drained soils.
and well -drained nearly
Somewhat poorly -drained
to drainageways (underlying
Hydrologic characteristics at the site are confined to the
wetland area. No standing water was present at the time of either
survey, although the soil was saturated to the surface within the
drainageway. The remainder of the site is dry and does not
experience periodic flooding.
G. Other relevant site features
This site does not support good prospective Spiranthes
habitat.
2
Spiranthes diluvialis survey- Orchard Place site
Qualifications: Karen Schneller-McDonald
Qualifications previously submitted with Michaud Lane survey
report.
Project Description
A P.U.D. for multifamily housing has been planned for this 17.5
acre parcel.
Site Location
Orchard Place, Fort Collins.
East -central portion of section 16, Township 7N, Range 69w.
Survey Dates
August 1 and August 23, 1995.
Bcological�,�and site features
A. Ecological condition/management history
The site is used primarily as pasture for horses; most of it
has been grazed, but not recently. This open area within the City
of Fort Collins is surrounded by residential and commercial
development. The headwaters of Plum Creek comprise approximately
1.4 acres of jurisdictional wetland on the property.
B..Overstory and understory vegetation
Uplands and wetlands are open grassland, with full sun
exposure. Uplands consist of mixed grasses and forbs; wetlands
are dominated by grasses and sedges.
C. Plant community description
Disturbed pasture upland contains a mixture of species
including: bindweed (Convovulvus arvensis), smooth brome (Bromus
inermis), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), alfalfa (Hedicago
sativa), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), shepherd's purse
(Capsella bursa -pas toris), orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata),
crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum), chickory (Cichorium
intybus), prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola), and salsify
(Tragopogon spp.). The ground was dry, grass cover ranged from
dense to thin.
The wetland area is dominated by thick clumps of sedges
(Carex spp.including C. nebraskensis and C. scoparia), with
patches of threesquare (Scirpus americanus), showy milkweed
(Asclepias speciosa), curly dock (Rumex crispus), fescue (Festuca
rubra, F. pratensis) timothy (Phleum pratense), wild mint (Hentha
arvensis)), plantain (Plantago major), foxtail barley (Hordeum
A500CMULE59INC. V
916 Willshire Ave. • Fort Collins, Colorado 80521 • (303) 493-4394
Ric Hattmann September 5, 1995
Gethro/Hattmann
145 West Swallow Road
Fort Collins, Colorado 80525
Dear Mr. Hattmann;
1. kriclbsed is a copy of the report describing the survey
for the Ute Ladies' Tresses Orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis) at
the Orchard Place site. No orchids were found on this site.
However, please note that this letter and the survey report
are only for your information, and cannot be used as official
documentation that the site does not support orchids.
The official documentation letter from the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service should arrive by the end of September. As
soon as I receive the letter, I will mail it to you.
Please call -me at 482-7008 if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Karen A. Schneller-McDonald