HomeMy WebLinkAboutREGISTRY RIDGE PUD, PHASE I - PRELIMINARY - 32-95A - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTAPPENDIX 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 diluvialis 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.
0.45 A,NO/piorur,-
APPENDIX A
Spiranthes diluvialis Documentary Photographs
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 Lorimer
County Area, Colorado, Comprehensive Hydric Soils List (SCS 1993).
5.4.6 Hydrology
The hydrology of the wetlands drainage identified was apparently supported by the surface water in
the stream. The fact that the stream was in a topographic low or Swale, and the presence of soil
concretions, suggests that ground water may have supplemented the wetlands hydrology during
certain times of the year.
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
09.95A-42hen 6
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.
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)
None of the listed vegetation usually found with S. diluvialis was present at the Registry Ridge site.
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 June, 1995 and documented in a report entitled
"Jurisdictional Wetlands Delineation Survey for the Registry Ridge P.U.D. Site, Fort Collins,
Colorado." The boundaries of the site were determined using the U.S.G.S. topographic map for the
Loveland, Quadrangle and a map provided by Northern Engineering Services.
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 only upland vegetation or cultivated land, the space between the surveyors
was increased, with the surveyors sometimes walking up to 50 feet apart.
5.4 Site Ecoloeical 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 A317hea 4
5.0 ECOLOGICAL AND SITE FEATURES
The Registry Ridge site comprises 245 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 Registry Ridge 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.
The majority of the Registry Ridge survey area consists of an upland prairie. The general slope and
drainage pattern of the site is to the east towards Fossil Creek. The site contains naturally occurring
topographic low areas or swales that have developed into wet meadows and a cattail marsh. A
stream channel goes through the site; hydrology for the site appears to be supported by surface water
in the stream.
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 located within the wetlands areas at the Registry Ridge site are
characterized as silty clay or loam and range from well drained to poorly drained. Soils preferred by
09.9.1AR2 r n 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 Registry Ridge P.U.D. site (referred to
hereafter as the Registry Ridge site). The Registry Ridge site is currently slated for proposed
residential real estate development.
3.2 Proiect Location
A map of the Registry Ridge site is provided in Appendix B. The Registry Ridge site comprises 245
acres and is located in southeast Quarter of Section 15, 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 Registry Ridge 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).
09.95ARZ&M 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 Registry Ridge
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 Sj2iranthes 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
09.95 A302Aen 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1.0 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................. 1
2.0 NAME AND QUALIFICATIONS OF SURVEYOR........................................................... I
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
09.95A330Ihoc
Ute Ladies' -Tresses Orchid
(Spiranthes diluvalis) Survey for the
Registry Ridge P.U.D. Site
Fort Collins, Colorado
prepared by
Riverside Technology, inc.
2821 Remington Street
Fort Collins, Colorado
prepared for
Jim McCory
DALCO Land Limited Liability Company
8101 E. Prentice Avenue
Englewood, Colorado 80111
September 1995
09.95 A5Q/cowr
5.4.1 Overstory and Understory Vegetation
The jurisdictional wetlands area identified consisted of a similar consistent herbaceous layer of
hydrophytic vegetation. Overstory vegetation was sparse (comprising less than 1 percent of the total
vegetation at the site). The wetlands vegetation was contained along the bottom of the wetlands
drainage traversing the local topographic low and consisted of sparse stands of saltmarsh sandspurry
(spergularia marina), inland saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), and fox -tail barley (Hordeum jubatum).
Upland areas adjacent to the wetlands drainage were generally a consistent vegetation cover of
introduced pasture grasses, such as Kochia (Kochia scoparia), creeping thistle (Cirsium arveuse),
and Russian thistle (Salsola kali).
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 Registry Ridge survey area consists of an upland prairie. The site contains a
small stream in a naturally occurring topographic low area or swale that has developed into wet -
meadow area and a small cattail marsh. The 245-acre Registry Ridge site lies in a fairly rural and
undeveloped section of southwestern Fort Collins. The eastern boundary of the site is defined by
Shields Street, and the northern, southern, and western edges of the site are bordered by cultivated
agricultural fields.
5.4.4 Geomorphology
Drainage at the site is from the north and south toward the low-lying wetland area and then to the
east toward Fossil Creek. Elevations range from approximately 5,050 to 5,100 feet amsl. The
majority of the site is fairly flat terrace with slopes of perhaps 0% to 3%. Some slightly steeper areas
exist in the area bordering the drainage/wetland zone. There is no evidence of landslide or other
movement of the land. The majority of the site is vegetated.
5.4.5 Soils
The Registry Ridge 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
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).
According to the Soil Survey of Lorimer County Area, Colorado (USDA 1980), the Longmont clay
loam at the Registry Ridge 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
09.95A312Aen 5