HomeMy WebLinkAboutBANNER HEALTH MEDICAL CAMPUS - PDP - PDP130003 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTDecember 24, 2012
Mr. Clifford Trausch, Project Executive
Banner Health Development and Construction, Western Region
Northern Colorado Medical Center
1801 16th Street
Greeley, Colorado 80631
RE: Ecological Characterization Study (ECS) Letter Report for the Proposed Banner Health Medical Campus
Project Site at the Southeast Corner of Harmony Road and Lady Moon Drive, Fort Collins, Colorado
Mr. Trausch:
This letter report is submitted to satisfy the requirements of Section 3.4.1 of the Land Use Code of the City of
Fort Collins regarding the submittal of an ECS report for proposed development projects. The Banner Health
Medical Campus project site is an approximate 28.2-acre parcel located south of Harmony Road and between
Lady Moon Drive and Cinquefoil Lane in Fort Collins, Colorado. Ecological characteristics of the property were
reviewed on December 18, 2012. The following provides a summary of information required by Fort Collins
Land Use Code under 3.4.1 (D) (1) items (a) through (k).
ECOLOGICAL STUDY CHARACTERIZATION CHECKLIST
(a & i) The entire the proposed Banner Health Medical Campus site was historically converted from native
grassland to non-native grass hayfield and a small area of residential and remnant farmstead tree stands. As a
result the project area has minimal ecological value and supports no natural habitat features. The majority of
the property’s surface has been planted to non-native grass, primarily smooth brome (Bromus inermis1), for hay
production (see attached Figure 1). Less dominant vegetation species recorded in the grass hayfield areas
included tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), field
bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), and common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). The only woody vegetation
remaining on the property are a number of landscape trees and shrubs planted around an occupied residence
and a number of trees that appear to have been planted around farmsteads or residences that no longer exist
on the property (see attached Figure 1). A number of dead or decadent trees were recently removed from the
property based fresh cut tree stumps noted during field survey, but several mature trees still remain. Remaining
trees on the property consist primarily of blue spruce (Picea pungens), eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides),
green ash (Fraxinus pennsyvanicus), apple (Malus spp.), and cherry (Prunus spp.) trees. Most are over 6
inches in diameter and may be classified by the City Forester as significant based on the Fort Collins Land Use
Code. The City Forester or a private arborist will need to evaluate the health of these trees in order for their
significance status to be determined.
Aside from potentially significant trees, the property does not support any native vegetation, wetlands, or other
unique habitat features, and no features of ecological value exist within 500 feet of the development site.
Wildlife use of the Banner Health Medical Campus site is minimal to nonexistent because of past conversion of
native habitats to mowed hayfield. Trees on the property may be used for perching, nesting, and foraging by
urban-adapted songbirds, and Canada geese grass may occasionally graze the hayfield areas. No raptor or
songbird nests were located in the trees on the project area during the December 18th survey.
(b) No wetlands are located on the Banner Health Medical Campus site or adjacent properties.
1 Scientific nomenclature follows USDA, NRCS Plants Database. Available online at: http://plants.usda.gov/java/
C. Trausch
12/21/12
Page 2 of 4
(c) The Banner Health Medical Campus site provides relatively unobstructed views of the Front Range foothills.
(d) As indicated under (a & i) the Banner Health Medical Campus site does not support any native vegetation,
and significant trees are restricted to an existing residence and past residential or farmstead areas along the
west edge of the property.
(e) There are no natural drainages on or near Banner Health Medical Campus site.
(f) There is no suitable habitat for any threatened, endangered, or other sensitive species on or adjacent to the
Banner Health Medical Campus site. A small extension of a black-tailed prairie dog town south and southeast
of the project site extends into the southeast property corner. The portion of the town on the project area
appears to have been subjected to prairie dog removal or poisoning. Most burrows had been recently plugged
and no prairie dog presence was observed on the project area. Prairie dog activity was observed immediately
south of the project area.
(g) Past agricultural and residential conversion of the lands on the Banner Health Medical Campus site has
eliminated the potential for any special habitat features on the property.
(h) There are no wildlife movement corridors on or near the Banner Health Medical Campus site.
(j) Because of the lack of natural habitat features on the Banner Health Medical Campus site there is only one
issue regarding the timing of property development and ecological features or wildlife use of the project area. If
the development proposal includes removal of any trees on the property, tree removal during the songbird
nesting season could result in the loss or abandonment of a nest and would be in violation of the federal
Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
(k) Since the entire project area has been converted to agricultural or residential land use, project development
would have no impact on natural habitats or important habitat features, other than existing trees on the property.
Because tree removal during the songbird nesting season could result in the loss or abandonment of a nest, it is
recommended that tree removal or pruning occur outside of the songbird nesting season (April 1 – July 31), or
trees be surveyed to ensure lack of nesting prior to removal during the nesting season. This mitigation
recommendation would preclude the possible incidental take or disturbance of active songbird nests.
Native trees or trees determined to be significant currently growing on the property should be preserved to the
extent possible. Removal of any trees classified as significant would need to be mitigated with replacement
trees, as determined by the City Forester based on the Land Use Code.
This concludes Cedar Creek Associates, Inc.’s evaluation of the Banner Health Medical Campus development
site. If you have any questions or require additional information regarding my evaluation, please give me a call.
Sincerely,
INC.
T. Michael Phelan
Principal, Senior Wildlife Biologist
attachments: Figure 1, Habitat Mapping for the Banner Health Medical Campus Project Area, Legal Description
pc: J. Messaros, BHA Design