HomeMy WebLinkAboutLIND PROPERTY - OVERALL DEVELOPMENT PLAN - 39-94A - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTAppendix 5 (cont). Photographs of Prominent Views From The Site.
Photo 3 Looking north along irrigation ditch.
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Photo t Looking east across cultivated fields toward Budweiser plant from irrigation canal.
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Appendix 5. Photographs of Prominent Views From The Site.
Photo 1. Looking directly west toward mountains from canal at southeast corner of property.
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• Photo 2 Looking southwest toward Long's Peak.
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Appendix I . Topographical map of the Lind Property O.D.P. site (from Fort Collins
Quadrangle)
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Lind Property 0.1) P.
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IV. LITERATURE CITED
Colorado Natural Heritage Program. 1999. State and Global Ranking System of Imperiled,
Threatened and Endangered Species from the System for Conservation Planning Web
Site (www.ndis.nrel.colostate.edu).
Fitzgerald, J. P., C. A. Meaney and D. M. Armstrong. 1994. Denver Museum of Natural History
and University Press of Colorado, Denver, CO. 467 pp.
Weber, W. A. 1976. Rocky Mountain Flora. Colorado Associated University Press, Boulder,
CO. 479 pp.
Whitson, T. D. 1996. Weeds of the West. University of Wyoming, Jackson Hole, WY. 630 pp.
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G. Special Habitat Features
This property contains no special habitat features, as defined by the City f Fort Collins.
H. Wildlife Movement Corridors
During my reconnaissance of the property, I found no game trails and no evidence that any big
game species were using the habitat. Foxes and coyotes, however, may move through the
property using the two -track dirt road that runs adjacent to the irrigation canal. Small mammals
like voles make runways beneath the vegetation for use as movement corridors, and other small
mammals and snakes may also use them, but these are infeasible to map.
I. General Ecological Functions Provided by the Site
The single layer of herbaceous vegetation in the agricultural fields provides food and cover for
several species of small mammals and reptiles, as well as ground nesting birds and geese, which
in turn provide food for carnivores, as well as birds of prey.
J. Issues Regarding the Timing of Development
Late spring and early summer are probably the most critical time of year for all species of
wildlife in this area. During this time, mammals that hibernate, such as the Thirteen -lined
Ground Squirrel and several species of mice, are coming out of their hibernacula to search for
food in preparation for the breeding season. In late spring and early summer, hibernators are low
in fat reserves, and therefore more susceptible to any type of stress. Other herbivores may also
be in poor body condition because of a lack of available food resources during the winter
months. Birds that have migrated in to the area may also be in less than optimal condition
because of the enormous amount of energy spent during their flight. Summer is an important
time for all wildlife in this area, because it's generally the time when the young of the year are
born or hatched.
IL Measures Needed to Mitigate Adverse Impacts of Development
Although there are no "special habitats or features" located on this property, there may be
several "sensitive"species of rodents and reptiles dwelling here. Setting aside some percentage
of the total area may allow some of those species to persist in the area. However, it is unclear
just how much land in its current state would be necessary to set aside for their continued
persistence. Alternatively, planting native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous vegetation would
increase the value of the habitat for other species of wildlife more adapted to living in close
association with humans, such as the fox squirrel, cottontail, mule deer, and house mouse. The
composition of plant as well as animal species in the area will undoubtedly change significantly
after development is completed.
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B. Wetland Boundaries, Ecological Functions, and Characteristics
There are no wetlands on this property.
C. Prominent Views From the Site
This property is situated such that there are several good views of mountains to the west looking
across cultivated fields (see photographs - Appendix 2). Looking to the east of the property
provides little scenic beauty.
D. The Pattern, Species, and Location of Significant Native Vegetation
Most of the vegetation growing on this property is cultivated crops, mainly corn and beans. In
addition, many of the native grasses and forbs on the property, such as common sunflower, wild
licorice, and curlycup gumweed, are also considered to be abundant, common, or weedy species
(Weber 1976, Whitson et at. 1996). Gray rabbitbrush, a native species and the only shrub on the
• property, has also been declared a weedy species by Whitson et al. (1996).
E. The Bank, Shoreline, and Highwater Mark of Any Perennial Stream or Body of
Water
There are no perennial streams or bodies of water on this property. An irrigation ditch which
flows only seasonally is situated on the eastern edge of the property.
F. Areas Inhabited or Utilized by Sensitive and Specially Valued Species
r All of the birds of prey listed above as imperiled species (CNHP 1999) most likely hunt for
rodents in the grassy fields. The Bald Eagle, which is on the Federal Threatened and
Endangered Species List, would not perch or nest in the vicinity because there are no trees, but
they might hunt for fish and carrion in the local area. I suspect that the Peregrine Falcon would
not inhabit this area, because they are more often found around cliffs or tall buildings in cities.
But, if they were in the area, they might hunt along the irrigation canal for waterfowl.
The irrigated/dryland agricultural fields are likely inhabited by rodents, such as the Thirteen -
lined ground squirrel, and any of the mice and voles listed as "imperiled" in Table 2 above.
They would utilize this area for all their activities. Because these animals may be prevalent
• here, this habitat might also be valuable hunting territory for carnivores like the Swift and Red
Fox. The Common King Snake, if present, would probably also use this area for feeding and
burrows.
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Table 3. Reptiles and amphibians potentially using this habitat (CNEP 1999). Value of habitat (F
= feeding, W=watering, C = cover, B = breeding, A = All of the above), season of use ( S=
Sprina/Summer, W=Winter. F=Fall_ Y=Year-rnund)
Common Name
Scientific Name
Value of Habitat
Season of Use
Common King Snake*
Lampropeltisgetula
A
y
Eastern Fence Lizard
Scleroporus undulatus
A
y
Lined Snake
Tropidoclonion lineation
A
y
Many -lined Skink
Eumeces muhivirgatus
A
y
Milk Snake
Lampropeltis triangulum
A
y
Racer
Coluber constrictor
A
y
Short -homed Lizard
Phrynosoma hernandezi
A
y
Great Plains Toad
Bufo cognatus
A
y
Plains Spadefoot
Spea bombifrons
A
y
%_Wuiauu ilaturai ventage rrogram impernea 6pecies
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Table 2. Mammals potentially utilizing this habitat (Fitzgerald et al. 1994, CNHP 1999). Value
of habitat (F = feeding, W=watering, C = cover, B = breeding, A = All of the above), season of
use( S= Smine/Summer_ W=Winter F=Fall Y=Year_rnnnrI)
Common Name
Scientific Name
Value of Habitat
Season of Use
Pronghorn Antelope
Antilocapra americana
F
Y
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
F
Y
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
F
Y
Coyote
Canis latrans
A
Y
Red Fox
Vulpes vulpes
A
Y
Swift Fox*
Vulpes velox
A
Y
Long-tailed Weasel
Mustela frenata
A
Y
Raccoon
Procyon lotor
A
Y
Striped Skunk
Mephitis mephitis
A
Y
Northern Pocket Gopher*
Thomomys talpoides
A
Y
Botta's Pocket Gopher*
Thomomys bouae
A
Y
Wyoming Ground Squirrel
Spermophilus elegmu
A
Y
Thirteen -lined Ground Squirrel*
Spermophilus
trideeemlineatus
A
Y
House Mouse
Mus musculus
A
Y
Deer Mouse
Peromyscus maniculatus
A
Y
Prairie Vole
Microtus ochrogaster
A
Y
Meadow Vole*
Microtus pennsylvanicus
A
Y
Western Harvest Mouse*
Reithrodontomys megalotis
A
Y
Plains Harvest Mouse*
Reithrodontomys montanus
A
Y
Ord's Kangaroo Rat*
Dipodomys ordii
A
Y
Plains Pocket Mouse
Perognathus flavescens
A
Y
Olive -backed Pocket Mouse*
Perognathus fasciatus
A
Y
Silky Pocket Mouse*
Perognathusjlavus
A
Y
Hispid Pocket Mouse
Chaetodtpus hispidus
A
Y
Common Muskrat
Ondatra zibethicus
A
S
_ Cuimaao Narurai nenrage Program rrnperuea bpecies, P I h = Federal Threatened and Endangered Species.
Common Name
Scientific Name
Value of
Habitat
Season of Use
McCowan's Longspur*
Calcarius mccawnii
F, P
S
Merlin*
Falco columbarius
F, P
F, W
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
A
y
Northern Harrier*
Circus cyaneus
F, P
y
Northern Shoveler
Anas clypeata
A
S, F
Red -winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
A
y
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
A
y
Ring -billed Gull*
Larus delawarensis
F, P
y
Ring-necked Pheasant
Phasianus colchicus '
A
y
Short -eared Owl*
Asio flammeus
A
y
Swainson's Hawk
Buteo swainsoni
F
S, F
Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
A
y
m = toioraao Natural Heritage Program Imperiled Species, FTE = Federal Threatened and
Endangered Species, STE = State Threatened and Endangered Species.
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Table 1. Birds potentially utilizing this habitat (National Geographic Society 1987, CNBP 1999).
Value of habitat (F=feeding, W=watering, C=cover, N=nesting, R=roosting, P=perching, A=all
of the above)_ season of use (S=snrinu/summer W=wintP.r F=Fall Vtienr_rnnndi
Common Name
Scientific Name
Value of
Habitat
Season of Use
American Kestrel
Falco sparverius
A
Y
American Peregrine Falcon* (FTE)
Falco peregrinus anatum
F
Y
American Redstart*
Setophaga ruticilla
A
S
Bald Eagle* (FSTE)
Hahaeetus leucocephalus
F, P
W
Belted Kingfisher
Ceryle alcyon
A
Y
Black -billed Magpie
Pica pica
A
Y
Black -crowned night heron
Nycticorax nycticoraz
F
S
Bobolink*
Dolichonyx oryzivorus
A
S
Blue grosbeak
Guiraca caerulea
A
S
Brewer's Sparrow
Spizella breweri
A
S
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
A
Y
Chestnut -collared Longspur*
Calcarius ornatus
A
Y
Chestnut -sided Warbler*
Dendroica pensylvanica
A
S
Cinnamon Teal
Anas cyanoptera
A
S
Dickcissel*
Spiza americana
A
S
Eastern Bluebird*
Siaha sialis
A
S
Eastern Phoebe*
Sayornis phoebe
F, P
S, F
Ferruginous Hawk*
Buteo regalis
A
W, S
Field Sparrow*
Spizella pusilla
A
S
Gadwall
Anas strepera
A
S, F
Grasshopper Sparrow
Ammodramus savannarum
A
S
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
F
S
Horned Lark
Eremophila alestris
F, P
Y
Lark Bunting
Calamospiza melancorys
A
S, F
Mallard
Anas platyrhyncos
A
Y
Marsh Wren
Cistothorus palustris
A
Y
running up to the edge of the banks, and the high level of disturbance from trash -dumping, the
0 canal provides no potentially suitable habitat for the federally threatened Preble's meadow
jumping mouse. It does, however, provide food and cover for some species of waterfowl and
other birds (see Table 1) like the belted kingfisher, which was observed flying up the canal
during my visit to the site.
Canada geese were observed in the fallow fields adjacent to County Road 11, resting and
feeding. However, with the exception of an abundance of rodent and/or reptile burrows, there
was little evidence of other wildlife use. Coyote and fox likely use the habitat for hunting, and
Ring-necked pheasants may use the corn fields for cover and feeding. Ground squirrels
(Thirteen -lined or Wyoming) probably also reside in the area, as indicated by the appearance of
w burrows. These burrows could alternatively be inhabited by snakes. There were very few shrubs
on the property, and those present had little evidence of recent or past browsing by either rabbits
or deer. And because there were virtually no tracks or scat present from either deer, pronghorn
antelope, or rabbits,.I speculate that they do not utilize the area much, if at all. In fact, the lack
of cover and browse (in the form of shrubs, brush piles, rocks, or downed trees) and proximity to
County Road 11 make this habitat less than desirable for those species of mammals.
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Many species of wildlife may inhabit or utilize this area during spring and summer and then
migrate or hibernate during fall and winter. For this reason, it was difficult to assess the total
number of species using this habitat. As such, I conducted a literature search to determine which
wildlife species could conceivably utilize this property at some time during the year. Tables on
the following pages list the birds, mammals, and reptiles/amphibians which may utilize irrigated
or dryland agricultural land adjacent to an irrigation ditch, or grasslands/shrublands. Tables
include the seasons of use and the "value" (i.e., feeding, cover, watering, etc.) that the habitat
provides for such wildlife species. Species of special concern (listed as "imperiled" by the
Colorado Natural Heritage Program) are denoted by asterisks, and notations are also made for
any federally or state listed threatened or endangered species.
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I. INTRODUCTION
This report summarizes results from a study conducted to assess the ecological character and
function of a. tract of land situated in north Fort Collins on the northeast corner of the
intersection of County Road 52 and County Road 1 I in Larimer County, Colorado (see map -
Appendix 1). This land,172 acres, is located in the southwest quarter and the northwest quarter
of Section 29, Township 8 North, Range 68 West. The property has been proposed as a site for
future housing development. The site encompasses no "natural habitats or features" as
designated by The City of Fort Collins on their Natural Habitats and Features Inventory Map.
H. METID HODS
On 9 September 2000, the site was visited, during which time common plant species were
recorded and evidence of wildlife use was investigated. Photographs of prominent views from
the property were also taken during this time. However, because many species of wildlife may
inhabit or utilize this area during spring and summer and then migrate or hibernate during fall
and winter, it was difficult to assess the total number of species using this habitat. As such, a
literature search was also conducted to determine which wildlife species could conceivably
utilize this property at some time during the year.
• III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A. Wildlife Habitat and Use of The Area
Before its current use as irrigated and dryland agricultural land, this property was a mosaic of
grasslands and shrublands. Now, however, the vegetation is dominated by cultivated crops, such
as corn and beans. The majority of the property is limited to a single vegetation layer, which is
composed mainly of cultivated crops and grasses with several weedy forbs interspersed. The
dominant grass present on the site is smooth brome (Bromus inermis), although cereal rye
(Secale cereale L.) was also found. Forbs present at the site include, but are not limited to,
milkweed (Asclepias speciosa), wild licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota), common sunflower
• (Helianthus annuus), curlycup gumweed (Grindelia squarrosa), alfalfa (Medicago sativa),
kochia (Kochia scoparia L.), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.), wild asparagus
(Asparagus officinalis L.), prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola L.), white prairieaster (Aster falcatus
Lindl.), various species of thistle (Cirsium spp.), and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). The
only shrub observed on this property was gray rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus), and it
was rare in occurrence.
The irrigation canal which exists along the eastern property boundary has very steeply sloping
sides (in some places probably > 30% slope), and much of the bank area is heavily littered with
garbage, such as old cast iron stoves, tires, household appliances, and broken concrete and rip
rap. Because of the steeply sloping banks, lack of good vegetative cover, cultivated fields
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ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY
FOR THE LIND PROPERTY O.D.P.
FORT COLLINS, COLORADO
Submitted To:
Jim Sell Design
Landscape Architecture & Planning
153 West Mountain Avenue
Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
Submitted By:
Jan Peterson, Ph.D.
3618 Terry Point Drive
Fort Collins, CO 80524
September 11, 2000