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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSHENANDOAH PUD - PRELIMINARY - 47-95 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTft Ute Ladies' -Tresses Orchid (Spiranthes diluvalis) Survey for the Shenandoah P.U.D. Site Fort Collins, Colorado prepared by Riverside Technology, inc. 2821 Remington Street Fort Collins, Colorado prepared for Jim McCory Colorado Land Source 8101 E. Prentice Avenue, Suite 177-180 Englewood, Colorado 80111 September 1995 09.95 A344/cover WETLANDS EXHIBIT A PORTION OF THE E 1 /2 OF THE SE 1 /4 OF SECTION 14 T-6—N R-69—W OF THE 6TH P.M. LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO 95.760f ACRES 0 1000 500 .2000 SCALE: 1 "=1000' r 00 WETLAND Q 3342.080 sq.ft. _ WE AN 4. 24 ACR SAMPLE _ ❑ /SITE 2A SE CORNER SAMPLE AMPL f SECTION 14 SITE 13A 1 1 SAMPLE 1/16 CORNER SITE 2B SECTION 24 DETAIL SCALE:1" NOTE: THIS DRAWING IS NOT A "LAND SURVEY PLAT' AS DEFINED SY COLORADO REVISED STATUTES 38-51-107 AND SURVEY � ONUMENTS WERE NOT SET FOR THIS PROJECT TO ESTABLISH ANY OF THE RIGHT—OF—WAY POINTS. SCALE DATE DRAWN REVISED I FILE NO. I EXHIBIT I SHEET 1W1000- 09/01/95 RB A9290 A 1 of 1 LANDSTAR SURVEYING INC. 1327 N. Lincoln Ave. a Loveland, CO 80537 0 (303) 667-3294 a FAX (303) 667-7151 APPENDIX B U.S.G.S. Topographic Map and Site Map 2. Photograph of Spiranthes diluvialis taken by Terry Geiselman, August 10, 1995. Photograph of Spiranthes diltmialis taken by Terry Geiselman, August 16, 1995. Photographs of Spiranthes diluvialis located in northwest Fort Collins. The site is a wet meadow approximately 1/2 mile south of the western end of Michaud Road adjacent to the Pleasant Valley and Lake Canal. Known site verified by Stephen W. Johnson, Spiranthes expert with Riverside Technology, inc. IM.9.5 A.14Wpi, we APPENDIX A Spiranthes diluvialis Documentary Photographs According to the Soil Survey of Larimer County Area, Colorado (USDA 1980), the Longmont clay loam at the Shenandoah site is characterized as follows. Longmont clay, 0 to 3 percent slopes This nearly level soil is on flood plains and upland valleys. Included with this soil in mapping are some small areas of soils that are more sloping and a few small areas of soils that have a surface layer and subsurface layer of clay loam. Also included are a few small areas of soils in which gravel is at a depth of 40 to 60 inches. Permeability is slow, and the available water capacity is high. Runoff is slow, and the hazard of erosion is slight. This soil is suited to pasture or native grasses. When the landform is a swale, the Longmont clay is considered hydric, according to the Larimer County Area, Colorado, Comprehensive Hydric Soils List (SCS 1993). 5.4.6 Hydrology The wetlands areas appear to be primarily the result of seepage of water from the North Lauden canal which borders the wetland area on the north and west sides. The canal is designed to pass 10 to 15 cubic feet per second (cfs) of water. The canal is earthen lined and primarily conveys water for irrigation use. The presence of headgates in the vicinity of the wetland indicates that this area may occasionally be flood irrigated. It is not known whether the canal will be discontinued; therefore the continued source of wetland hydrology for the site cannot be determined. 6.0 LIST OF PREPARERS Riverside Technology, inc. 2821 Remington Street Fort Collins, Colorado 80525 (970) 223-2944 - FAX (970)223-2955 Stephen W. Johnson, Spiranthes diluvialis Surveyor/Water Quality Hydrologist • Terry Geiselman, Spiranthes diluvialis Surveyor/Geologist 09.95A3441trm 6 5.4.1 Overstory and Understory Vegetation The Shenandoah site is characterized by sparse woody overstory consisting of riparian trees such as the cottonwood (Populus spp.) growing near the irrigation canal. It should be emphasized, however, that this overstory comprises less than 1 % of the total basal area of the site. The understory at the site consists of upland and wetland vegetation. Upland vegetation includes western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii), smooth brome (Bromus inermis), and Japanese brome (Bromus japanicus). Wetland vegetation included Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), Foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum) and Olney's three -square (Scirpus americanus). The Shenandoah site has some disturbed areas, including a natural gas pipeline and access road. There are also dirt trails and roads, some of which can accommodate motorized vehicles. These areas are in upland sites and are dominated by forbs and upland grasses. 5.4.2 Plant Community and Description The vegetation at the site falls into two vegetation communities: an upland vegetation zone and a wetland vegetation zone. The vegetation in each of these zones is described above under "Overstory and Understory Vegetation." 5.4.3 Ecological Condition/Management History The majority of the Shenandoah survey area consists of an upland agricultural development. The southwest border of the site contains a naturally occurring topographic low area or swale that has developed into wet meadow and a small area of cattail marsh. The North Lauden Canal traverses the Shenandoah site and borders the wetland area on the west and north sides. The canal flows throughout the year and is designed to pass 10 to 15 cubic feet per second (cfs) of water. The survey area is also crossed by a natural gas pipeline. A shutoff valve station and access road are also located near the wetland area. The Shenandoah site contains two ranches with agricultural houses, buildings, and roads. The ranches were both located in upland, agricultural areas. Cattle were observed at the site grazing in both the upland and wetlands areas. 5.4.4 Geomorphology The wetland area at the Shenandoah site is situated in a topographical low area. Drainage is toward the low area from the north, west and south sides. Drainage out of the wetland area is to the east toward Robert Benson Lake. Elevations range from approximately 5,030 to 5,100 feet amsl. The majority of the site is a fairly flat -lying terrace with slopes of perhaps 0 - 3%. Some steeper slopes occur in areas of natural drainages. There is no evidence of landslide or other movement of the land. The majority of the site is vegetated. 5.4.5 Soils The Shenandoah site was comprised of several soil series as mapped by the Soil Conservation Service (USDA 1980). The jurisdictional wetlands area was generally contained in a swale of the Longmont clay loam (0 - 3% slopes). The wetlands soils sampled generally contained low-chroma colors, mottles, concretions, oxidized root zones, and were considered hydric based on the local hydric soils list (USDA 1993). 09.95.u44nr0 5 Vegetation .with which S. diluvialis can be found includes grasses, sedges and rushes, shrubs, and riparian trees such as Salix (willow). S. diluvialis rarely occurs in deeply shaded sites and prefers partially shaded open glades or pastures and glades in full sunlight. Species in the Front Range with which S. diluvialis is commonly associated, as well as species with which S. diluvialis is not usually found, are as follows: VEGETATION WITH WHICH VEGETATION WITH WHICH S. DILUVIALIS IS USUALLY FOUND S. DILUVIALIS IS NOT USUALLY FOUND • Horsetail (Equisetum spp.) • Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) • Verbena (Verbena hastata) • Agalinis (Agalinis tenuifolia) • Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) • Blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium spp.) • Triglochin (Triglochin spp.) • Carpet bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) • Reedgrass (Calamagrostis spp.) • Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) • Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) • Tamarisk or salt -cedar (Tamarsx ramosissima) • Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) • Teasel (Dipsacus sylvestris) • Common reed (Phragmites australis) Of the vegetation in the above list, only Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) was present on the site. Reed canary grass is not usually associated with S. diluvialis. 5.3 Survey Area The site was surveyed on August 10, 1995, by Stephen Johnson and Terry Geiselman of RTi. The boundaries of the site had previously been determined during a jurisdictional wetland survey. The wetland survey was conducted by RTi in August, 1995 and documented in a report entitled "Jurisdictional Wetlands Delineation Survey for the Shenandoah P.U.D. Site, Fort Collins, Colorado." The boundaries of the site were determined using the U.S.G.S. topographic map for Fort Collins and a map provided by Northern Engineering. After the boundaries were defined, the site was transversed with the two surveyors (Mr. Johnson and Mr. Geiselman) spaced 10 to 50 feet apart (depending on the observed site habitat and the related likelihood of S. diluvialis occurring). If, based on observed vegetation and hydrology, a site seemed more conducive to supporting S. diluvialis habitat, it was traversed more slowly, with the space between the surveyors narrowing. If a site seemed more unconducive to supporting S. diluvialis habitat, i.e., contained upland agricultural vegetation, the space between the surveyors was increased, with the surveyors sometimes walking up to 50 feet apart. 5.4 Site Ecolo0cal Features The site ecological features are described in the order suggested by the survey report outline in the USFWS "Interim Survey Requirements for Spiranthes diluvialis." 09.95 A3441tev 4 5.0 ECOLOGICAL AND SITE FEATURES The Shenandoah site comprises 75.7 acres. The site was systematically surveyed on August 10, 1995 for occurrences of S. diluvialis. A survey methodology, developed to ensure that the survey was adapted to the site, involved the following steps: (1) Evaluate whether a survey is needed. (2) Establish orchid habitat survey criteria using current information. (3) Locate the survey boundaries in the field. (4) Conduct a field survey and characterize the site ecological features. The following sections provide details on the above -described steps. 5.1 Evaluate Whether a Survey is Needed According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) document entitled "Interim Survey Requirements for Spiranthes diluvialis" (USFWS 1992), surveys are required for appropriate sites below 6,500 feet elevation in the following areas in Colorado: (1) Boulder and Jefferson Counties (2) The South Platte River 100-year floodplain and perennial tributaries from the Front Range as far east as Brush, Morgan County (3) The Fountain Creek 100-year floodplain and perennial tributaries from the Front Range to the southern boundary of El Paso County (4) The Yampa River 100-year floodplain and its perennial tributaries from Steamboat Springs west to the Utah border None of these requirements applies to the Shenandoah site. The site is in Larimer County and is not in 100-year floodplains or along any perennial tributaries. However, the 1993 discovery of a S. diluvialis population in Northwest Fort Collins demonstrates that the orchids may exist in areas not defined in the USFWS "Interim Survey Requirements for Spiranthes diluvialis" (USFWS 1992). For this reason, Mr. Robert L. Wilkinson, Senior Environmental Planner for the City of Fort Collins Natural Resources Department, requires that a survey be conducted. In addition, the wetland area at the Shenandoah site is supported by seepage from an irrigation canal which contains water throughout the year. This habitat is similar to the wetlands that support the S. diluvialis population in northwest Fort Collins. 5.2 Spiranthes diluvialis Habitat Criteria The USFWS "Interim Survey Requirements for Spiranthes diluvialis" (USFWS 1992) provides information on the habitat in which this orchid is found. According to the USFWS information, S. diluvialis is usually associated with alluvial deposits of silty, sandy, gravelly, or cobbly soil and may occasionally also occur in highly organic soils or peat. S. diluvialis appears to prefer well -drained soils with fairly high moisture content. According to the Soil Survey of Larimer County Area, Colorado (USDA 1980), the soils at the Shenandoah wetland area are characterized as clay or loam and are generally poorly drained. Soils preferred by S. diluvialis may be gleyed or mottled but are not generally highly anaerobic. The species can occur in some disturbed sites (such as old gravel mines that have been developed into wetlands, and along well -traveled footpaths built on old berms) and also occurs in grazed pastures with introduced pasture grasses. 09.95 A340,V 3 since 1979. Over the past three years, Mr. Johnson has conducted wetland delineation studies in southeastern Wyoming, southern California, and the front range of Colorado. During August of 1993, Mr. Johnson trained with a S. diluvialis expert, Ms. Tamara Naumann of the City of Boulder Open Space Department, to become acquainted with the appearance and known locations of S. diluvialis. Mr. Johnson became familiar with the orchid in the Fort Collins area by assisting Ellen Wheeling in the orchid site on August 12, 1994. Mr. Geiselman is a Registered Geologist who is currently training under Mr. Johnson on several jurisdictional wetlands delineation projects and endangered species surveys. He has prepared the technical reports documenting the results of these activities. As part of his training, Mr. Geiselman has participated in jurisdictional wetlands surveys in Colorado and Wyoming and has prepared final documentation on the results of several surveys. Mr. Geiselman's qualifications include a B.S. in Geology, studies in hydrogeology and environmental science, and over 5 years of water resources related work. He has also participated in sensitive vegetation species and endangered animal surveys in California. Surveys for sensitive vegetation species included: 1) Shaggy -haired lupin (Cupinus spectarbillis) and 2) Mariposa clarkia (Clarkia biloba). The California endangered animal survey was conducted for the Limestone Salamander (Hydromantes brunnus). On August 10, 1995 Mr. Geiselman trained with Mr. Johnson to become acquainted with the appearance and known locations of S. diluvialis, since it was flowering at that time in the Fort Collins wet meadow. Mr. Johnson shared his expertise on the ecology, likely occurrences, and flowering of this federally threatened plant species. Three individuals of S. diluvialis were identified. Another visit to the Fort Collins site was made by Mr. Geiselman on August 16, 1995. No additional S. diluvialis plants were discovered. Photographs of S. diluvialis taken by Mr. Geiselman are presented in Appendix A. 3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 3.1 Proposed Impact to Site The study site consists of a proposed filing called the Shenandoah P.U.D. site (referred to hereafter as the Shenandoah site). The Shenandoah site is currently slated for proposed real estate development; if the site is developed, it will contain commercial developments as well as multi- family and single family residential developments. 3.2 Proiect Location A map of the Shenandoah site is provided in Appendix B. The Shenandoah site comprises 75.7 acres and is located in southeast Quarter of Section 14, Township 6 North, Range 69 West, City of Fort Collins, County of Larimer, State of Colorado. 4.0 DATES SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED The S. diluvialis survey for the Shenandoah site was conducted on August 10, 1995, which corresponds to a time period when S. diluvialis was documented to be -blooming in northwest Fort Collins (see Appendix A). 09.95 A344Aem 2 1.0 INTRODUCTION This report discusses the results of a survey to determine the presence or absence of the federally threatened plant species Ute ladies' -tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis) at the Shenandoah P.U.D. Site in Fort Collins, Colorado. No occurrences of Spiranthes diluvialis were found. According to the USFWS "Interim Survey Requirements for Spiranthes diluvialis," (November 1992) the Fort Collins, Colorado, site discussed in this report does not need to be surveyed for Spiranthes diluvialis. However, a survey was conducted based on the following: 1) Mr. Robert L. Wilkinson, Senior Environmental Planner for the City of Fort Collins, indicated that a Spiranthes diluvialis survey is required by the City of Fort Collins Natural Resources Department and 2) Spiranthes diluvialis's were identified in 1993, growing within the city limits of Fort Collins. The survey was conducted on August 10, 1995. A discussion of the Spiranthes diluvialis's population found in Fort Collins is presented below. Information is taken from the Report entitled "Spiranthes Diluvialis Survey Report" prepared by Ellen C. Wheeling and Shaunda Kennedy, 1993, for the Fort Collins Department of Natural Resources. Thirty one Larimer County wetland sites were surveyed for Spiranthes diluvialis, Ute ladies' -tresses orchid, between July 15 and September 6, 1993 by Ellen C. Wheeling and Shaunda Kennedy of the Fort Collins Department of Natural Resources. One orchid population consisting of 13 individuals was located on August 30, 1993. The orchids were growing in a wet graminoid meadow located approximately 1/2 mile south of the western end of Michaud Lane and adjacent to Pleasant Valley and Lake Canal. The wet meadow is part of a large pasture dominated by a mixture of native and introduced grasses. It is used by Colorado State University for summer range. The wet meadow occupies a depression at the base of the eastern bank of Pleasant Valley and Lake Canal. It appears to be supported primarily by groundwater and seepage from the canal. The Pleasant Valley and Lake Canal is an irrigation ditch which contains water year round. Flow in the canal is diverted from the Cache LaPoudre River. Flows average from 11,000 to 12,000 acre-feet per year. Soils are apparently saturated throughout most of the growing season. Meadow grasses are relatively tall (2 to 3 feet) and very dense. They provide nearly 100% aerial cover. Ground cover (litter) is dense and up to two inches thick in some places. The wet meadow in Fort Collins appears to be atypical S. diluvialis habitat. Grasses provide much more cover than is found at other known Colorado orchid locations. They also appear to be taller and more dense than those at the Boulder, Wheat Ridge, and Clear Creek sites. The information provided above, together with the USFWS guideline, was combined in the survey documented in this report. 2.0 NAME AND QUALIFICATIONS OF SURVEYOR The Ute ladies' -tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis) survey was conducted by Stephen W. Johnson and Terry Geiselman, both of Riverside Technology, inc. (RTi). Mr. Johnson has botanical expertise and training through his B.S. in biology from the University of Arizona and his M.S. in plant ecology from Colorado State University. He has conducted plant surveys in the Colorado/Wyoming area 09.95A3/41teo 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1.0 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................. 1 2.0 NAME AND QUALIFICATIONS OF SURVEYOR........................................................... 1 3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION.................................................................................................... 2 3.1 Proposed Impact to Site................................................................................................ 2 3.2 Project Location............................................................................................................ 2 4.0 DATES SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED.............................................................................. 2 5.0 ECOLOGICAL AND SITE FEATURES.............................................................................. 3 5.1 Evaluate Whether a Survey is Needed.......................................................................... 3 5.2 Spiranthes diluvialis Habitat Criteria............................................................................ 3 5.3 Survey Area...................................................................................................................4 5.4 Site Ecological Features................................................................................................ 4 5.4.1 Overstory and Understory Vegetation.............................................................. 5 5.4.2 Plant Community and Description.................................................................... 5 5.4.3 Ecological Condition/Management History ..................................................... 5 5.4.4 Geomorphology.................................................................................................5 5.4.5 Soils.................................................................................................................5 5.4.6 Hydrology......................................................................................................... 6 6.0 LIST OF PREPARERS.......................................................................................................... 6 APPENDICES APPENDIX A Spiranthes diluvialis Documentary Photographs APPENDIX B U.S.G.S. Topographic Map and Site Map 09.95A34410c