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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWATERGLEN PUD PDP - 71 93A - CORRESPONDENCE - WILDLIFE DOCUMENTS (3)February 7, 1994 Page 2 ground -nesting birds, as well as habitat for mammals. on the north edge of the slough, where the slough headwaters, the revision shows an irrigation pond that apparently would inundate the headwaters of the slough. We would recommend that this pond be moved to an area where it would not have negative effects on the quality and quantity of the slough water. We fear that this pond would change the water chemistry and character of the slough, which would then alter the entire slough downstream, making it less valuable to wildlife. We would like to see studies that the developer has done to show the effects that this pond, the detention ponds, and the runoff from the subdivision would have on the quality and quantity of the water, and .the character of the slough. The revision shows several trees planted around the slough. We would like these trees eliminated from the plan, or suggest that they be native species which would not provide roosting sites for raptors right next to the slough. Because we'see the greatest.value of the slough as habitat for waterfowl and other birds, planting trees in which raptors could perch might cause the waterfowl to leave the area. These are our suggestions and concerns for the Waterglen revision. We feel that we have made some compromises from our original comments concerning this development, and realize the developer has also. If the above suggestions are heeded, we feel that negative effects to wildlife will be less than the original plan. We would like to see studies done on the effects of the irrigation pond and detention ponds on the slough. If and when the developer provides this information, we will offer further comments at that time. If you have any questions or comments, please call me at 484-2836. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this revision. Sincerely, 91) Mark Leslie District Wildlife Manager Fort Collins STATE OF COLORADO Roy Romer, Governor DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WILDLIFE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Perry D. Olson, Director 6060 Broadway Denver, Colorado 80216 Telephone:(303) 297-1192 February 7, 1994 Karen Manci City of Fort Collins Department of Natural Resources 281 N. College Ave. Fort Collins, CO 80526 RE: Waterglen Revision O4�R For Wildlife - For People The Division of Wildlife has reviewed the Waterglen Revision of December 16, 1993, and would like to offer some comments relating to'changes that have been made in the 'plan, and some changes we would like to see. The developer has made some concessions in his original plan, which we feel are improvements, but we still have concerns about the effects of the development on wildlife and the slough. In our original comments on the project, we had recommended a 300 foot buffer zone on all sides of the slough from any development. On the east side of the slough, the revised plan shows that only approximately 75 feet will separate the lots on the west side of Lochside Commons from the slough. We recommend that this distance be increased to a minimum of 150 feet, which is half of what we originally asked for. Also on the east side of the slough, we feel that earthen berms should be constructed and planted with native grasses and shrubs to provide a visual and sound buffer between the slough and the houses. In addition, we would recommend a 6 foot high fence be built on the east side of the berms, and vegetation to provide a barrier to wildlife from entering the subdivision, and also provide a barrier to 'animals and people from entering the slough, and disturbing the wildlife. This fence should be of mesh wire construction small enough to keep skunks and raccoons from going through it. On the west side of the slough, we feel that the sixteen lots on .the east side of Elgin Court should be eliminated so that no development exists on the east side of Elgin Court. This would give us our original recommendation of a 300 foot buffer zone on the west side of the slough. This area should then be planted with native tall grass species to provide nesting cover for waterfowl, shorebirds and other DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Kenneth Salazar, Executive Director WILDLIFE COMMISSION, George VanDenBerg, Chairman•Thomas M. Eve, Vice Chairman•Louis F. Swift, Secretary Felix Chavez, Member•Eldon Cooper, Member•Rebecca Frank, Member•William R. Hegberg, MemberoArnold Salazar, Member