The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutHARMONY RIDGE PUD, PHASE 2 (2ND FILING) - PRELIMINARY / FINAL - 49-95D - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 4 - WETLANDS DOCUMENTSJN "I N, I I LILL SECTION A -A 4* -?w NZ AM CL -M-MLair; F - r ,38 �3� ! '` % / , � _ : \ `` \`ate •'+ \ \ \ \ , �� '�� ' \. dOW OX s / ` X d `�•\ . X \ \ \\xtiwarssrw� - l x No Text 2. The wetlands will be monitored by a wetland specialist for 1 year after completion to determine if the created wetlands are viable. Additional wetland enhancement will be undertaken if wetland functions and values are determined to be less than the original existing wetlands 3 The growth of tree and shrub plantings in the mitigation area will be monitored for 3 years. Any plantings lost in the mitigation area during this time will be replaced and monitored for an additional 3 years. The monitoring plan will be conducted by a wetland specialist. 4 Tree Stratum Plains Cottonwood Trees — Plains Cottonwood trees (Populus sargentii) are native, salt tolerant trees that will provide habitat for nesting birds, such as Blue Jays and Robins. Selected trees for planting will be approximately 8 to 10 feet tall with 1- to 1.5-inch diameter trunks. Planting larger trees is discouraged because of the higher probability of stunted growth and unsuccessful transplanting associated with more mature trees. The trees will be spaced every 75 to 100 feet, which will allow for sufficient sunlight to penetrate between trees. Approximately 5 to 6 trees will be planted within a 0.3-acre area. Specific plantings within the mitigation area are indicated in Figure 2. Shrub Stratum Golden Current and Skunkbrush Shrubs — Golden Current (Ribes aurem) and Skunkbrush (Rhus tribobata) are thick growing, durable shrubs that will provide good cover for wildlife, especially nesting waterfowl. Golden Current is abundant in gulches along the foothill -plains margins. Skunkbrush is also found on open slopes of the foothills, particularly in clay soil, which is typical soil type of the project site. The shrubs will be planted in 2 to 3 clusters in the vicinity of each Cottonwood tree. Each cluster will contain 3 to 5 shrubs. Approximately 30 Shrubs of each 1 type will be planted within a 0.3-acre area. Specific plantings within the mitigation area are indicated in Figure 2. 3.0 Mitigation Commitments The following mitigation commitments are proposed as part of this mitigation plan: Upon completion of the wetland restoration/creation grading, a wetland specialist will determine whether the created topography will support the planned wetland developments. Additional grading will be conducted if the determination is made that the topography will not support a viable wetland. The wetland specialist will also determine the adequacy of the amount and placement of hydric toppsoil. 3 Wetland Mitigation Design The 0.17 acres of wetland mitigation will be constructed at the lower end of Wetland Area B. Currently Wetland Area B drains through a culvert under the Trilby Lateral and out into the prairie. The mitigation area will be excavated and then filled with the hydric soils removed from the disturbed wetland areas. The wetland mitigation area will be designed so that the outer perimeter is approximately 6 inches below the invert of the drainage culvert. The wetland mitigation area will have a gradual downward slope form the culvert to the outer perimeter. This design will allow seepage water from the undisturbed portion of Wetland Area B to spread out in the mitigation area and saturate the soils. Only after the mitigation area is saturated will water exit through the culvert (Figure 3). The design will insure that the mitigation area maintains saturated soils, even during low flow periods. Wetland Hydrolo�y Hydrology to support the wetland mitigation area will primarily be from the undisturbed Wetland Area B. Flows from the seep located near the top of Wetland Area B will be captured in a buried rip -rap channel and directed into the mitigation area. In addition, storm water runoff from an upgradient water quality pond will also be release into the mitigation area (Figure 2). Upland/Wetland Enhancement The wetlands that currently exist at the project site are composed of a wetland herbaceous stratum without any overstory. Part of the plan for mitigating wetland losses (not covered in the wetland mitigation area) is to enhance the surrounding riparian area by planting shrubs and trees. Enhanced wetland functions would be obtained by increasing habitat for waterfowl and other birds as nesting sites and cover. Enhanced wetland values would be obtained by establishing a park -like setting in this area. The wetland/upland enhancement goal is to establish three stratums of vegetation in the mitigation area that currently contains only a herbaceous stratum. An enhancement program recommended by the Habitat Section of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Fort Collins is as follows: 2 1.0 INTRODUCITION J. D. Padilla is currently working to develop a parcel of land called Harmony Ridge PUD — Phase II (hereafter referred to as the project site) in Larimer County, Colorado, for real estate development. Water Quality Technology Inc. conducted a wetlands delineation at the site in January 2000 and identified 0.38 acre of wetlands within and adjacent to the project site. The wetlands occur in two locations on the south facing hill slope - Wetlands A and B (Figure 1). Based upon a Supreme Court ruling, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) determined on March 14, 2001 that the wetlands at the Harmony Ridge project are isolated wetlands and that the COE does not have any authority to regulate work at the site, including wetland loss mitigation (Appendix A). However, the City of Fort Collins still requires that any wetland losses be mitigated. Because the site wetlands are no longer tied to the Clean Water Act Section 404 permitting process, other options for mitigation can be considered, if they are acceptable to the City. This report presents the wetland mitigation and upland enhancement plan proposed for the project site. 2.0 WETLANDS NUTIGATION Impacts to wetlands at the project site will involve the removal of all of Wetland Area A (0.19 acre) and 0.09 acre of Wetland Area B. Mitigation activities will involve the construction of 0.17 acre of new wetlands as well as 0.90 acres of upland habitat enhancement. All wetland losses will be mitigated on -site in the areas outlined on Figure 2. Hvdric Soils and Seed Base The top 12 inches of hydric soils (which contains the wetland plant seed base) of the wetland areas that will be disturbed will be excavated and special handled. This material will be stockpiled and reused for a seed matrix in the wetland mitigation area. Wetland vegetation replacement will be coordinated with the Colorado Department of Wildlife and the City of Fort Collins Natural Resources Department. Wetland Mitigation Plan for Harmony Ridge PUD — Phase II Prepared for J. D. Padilla 3600 West College Ave. Suite 201 Fort Collins, Colorado Prepared by Water Quality Technology, Inc. 123 North College, Suite 215 Fort Collins, Colorado April 2001