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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWATERGLEN PUD PDP - 71 93A - CORRESPONDENCE - WILDLIFE DOCUMENTS (5)November 24, 1993 Page 2 The Division of Wildlife offers several suggestions to lessen the impact of this development to wildlife: 1) We recommend a 300 feet buffer zone from any development around the slough: This would provide a lower impact zone to the wildlife and habitat along the slough. 2) We, suggest oing with a lower density, development to minimize a fects of human disturbance to the area. One unit per five acres would be less harmful than the proposed plan. 3) We suggest not building any detention ponds near the slough but would rather that they be builaway from the slough so as to lessen the chance of changing the flow characteristics of the area. 4) The developer should provide information to home buyers about the potential for nuisance wildlife conflicts in the area and how to deal with them. As the Division of Wildlife does not have any regulatory authority in these matters with the exception of threatened or endangered species, these comments are offered as guidelines for what we would like to see with this development. We would prefer to see some entity purchase a conservation easement on the entire slough so it may be preserved for generations, rather than have it developed. These critical wetland areas are very important to wildlife, and need to be protected and enhanced whenever possible. The residents of the Fort Collins area have an appreciation of the wildlife in this area, and we want to do our part to see that they are able to enjoy it for years to come. Thank ou for the opportunity to comment, and please let me know J you have any questions or comments. Sincerely,p Mark Leslie, District Wildlife Manager 317 W. Prospect Fort Collins,. Co 80526 484-2836 STATE OF COLORADO Roy Romer, Governor DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WILDLIFE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Perry D. Olson, Director O (y1 y 6060 Broadway Denver, Colorado 8021E `�'OF Telephone: (303) 297-1192 November 24, 1993. For wildlife -- For People Karen Manci City Of Fort Collins De artment of Natural Resources 28T N. College Ave. Fort Collins, CO 80526 Dear Karen: The Division of Wildlife has had an opportunity to view the site of the proposed Waterglen housing development, and we .would like to offer some comments and suggestions on this project. Dr. James Ringleman and I personally were able to visit the site on November 16, 1993, and I include his comments about the value of Cooper's Slough to waterfowl along with this letter. Dr. Ringleman is a waterfowl researcher for the Colorado Division of Wildlife, based in our Fort Collins Research Office. The proposed development site includes the northernmost part of Cooper's Slough which extends south of Vine Drive on the west ,side of Interstate 25. The source of this slough seems to be natural groundwater coming to the surface, and appears to flow water continuousl Wetland areas such as this warmwater slough provide criLcal habitat for waterfowl as well as providing feeding, roosting,and nesting areas for shorebirds and important feeding areas and hiding cover for mammals such as raccoons, foxes, coyotes and deer. The proposed development would have several negative effects on the wildlife that inhabit the area. These wetland sloughs aresome of the only open waters available to waterfowl when larger bodies of water freeze up in winter. The aquatic invertebrates found in these sloughs provide an important food source for ducks during this critical time of year. Any change in the chemistr or flows of this slough could be very detrimental to �he vegetation and habitat that it provides. The loss or change of this slough would negatively impact species that are dependent upon these areas for survival. The size, density and layout of the development would create human disturbance that would cause some species that are intolerant of such disturbance to leave the area. The increase in cats, dogs and vehicle traffic in the area would result in more mortality to wildlife, and possibly injury to both dogs and cats from foxes and coyotes. There is a probability that nuisance wildlife problems would be created by building houses in close proximity to the slough. Raccoons and skunks inhabit the area, and would likely eat cat and dog food, digg for grubs in lawns and get into garbage cans. Deer would be attracted to shrubs and trees used for landscaping purposes. The proposed park area and lawns will likely attract geese which can be a nuisance by feeding on the grass, and leaving droppings. DSPARTMEM OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Kanneth Salazar, Executive Director. Im r a vannenaem. Chairman•Thomaa M. Eve, Vice Chairaan•Louie P.