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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPATEROS CREEK - FDP - FDP130034 - REPORTS - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTPateros Creek Wetland Mitigation Monitoring Plan 1.0 General Approach – Wetland Area The compensatory wetland area to be created will be monitored for a minimum of three years, as typically required by the City of Fort Collins (City), to track the development of the planted vegetation communities and to determine if the mitigation and enhancement objectives have been achieved. Monitoring will occur on a bi-monthly basis during the growing season beginning on or about June 1 and ending on or about October 1 for a total of three yearly monitoring visits. The first two monitoring visits will consist of qualitative evaluations to determine the relative success of plant species establishment, the stability of the planted areas, and the incidence of weed species invasion. The results of these evaluations will be summarized in a brief report electronically submitted to the City and Bellisimo, Inc. 2.0 Wetland (0.08 Acres – 3,315 SF ) Monitoring Plan The third annual monitoring visit of each year will consist of a detailed quantitative evaluation to determine the overall success of the wetland mitigation project. Mitigation and revegetation success will be judged based on four criteria. These criteria include the size of the wetland mitigation area successfully established, the wetland soil moisture regime created, the percent ground cover of wetland-classed species present in the wetland mitigation area, the success rate of the shrubs and trees planted, and the suppression of weed species. The mitigation size criterion will be met if that portion of the mitigation site qualifying as vegetated wetland totals 0.08 acres – 3,315 SF. The soil moisture regime criteria will be met if the wetland mitigation site surface dedicated to the establishment of hydric species exhibits saturated conditions in the upper 12.0 inches of the soil profile and-or shallow flooding throughout the majority of the growing season as evidenced either by soil characteristics or the presence of sufficient wetland indicator species. Small ridges and potholes that enhance species diversity will be acceptable so long as these features do not compromise the overall integrity of the vegetated wetlands to be created. The average depth of free water over the mitigation site will be reported as will an estimate of the percent of the mitigation site overlain by free surface water. Surface water will not be included in the estimate of percent of pen water present. The wetland ground cover criterion will be met if, after three growing seasons, the total ground cover contributed by all vegetation species (including willow plantings) present in the wetland mitigation site is equal to or greater than 80 percent, on average, and wetland- classed species (FAC, FACW, and OBL) are dominant (70 percent relative cover) as compared to upland-classed (FACU and UPL) species. In addition, there will be no evidence of erosion detrimental to vegetation establishment or site stability. The percent of open water occurring over the surface of the mitigation site will be considered a “null set” when calculating percent herbaceous ground cover, so long as such surface water does not indicate the formation of an “open water” system. Shrub and tree plantings will be considered successful where 90 percent of the number planted are present on site. Volunteer plants of all native shrub and tree species will be included in the tally and counted toward the success criteria. Any indication of insect or animal damage will be noted as will any indication of nutrient deficiencies. The weed suppression criteria will be met if, after three growing seasons, the total cover provided by weed-classed species does not exceed 10 percent across the mitigation site. Any actions deemed necessary to enhance mitigation success and/or site stability will be taken as a result of each annual monitoring assessment. Monitoring will continue on an annual basis until the City judges this compensatory mitigation program to be successful. Soil and Plant Cover Sampling Technique Specifics The boundaries of the compensatory wetland site will be staked with metal fence posts to facilitate the field survey evaluations. To determine the depth to which non-inundated soils are saturated, soil sample pits will be dug at four locations corresponding with the vegetation analysis plots described below. Each pit will be dug to a depth of approximately 12.0 to 14.0 inches. The depth to saturation, if occurring, will be recorded. Soil matrix colors will be recorded to assess soil moisture regime characteristics. The presence of mottles or gleying will be noted and the color, abundance, and contrast of mottles recorded, if present. A sulfidic (H2S) odor will also be noted, if observed. Ocular estimates of vegetation cover and composition (dominant species) in the created wetlands will be made at four representative plots employing a plot size of 10 feet x 10 feet. A photo will be taken of each plot at the time of each quantitative monitoring visit. The corners of the plots will be permanently marked in the field with metal fence posts, metal stakes, or similar to facilitate repeatable, non-destructive evaluations. Plots will be sited to represent the vegetation conditions common within the mitigation site. The location f the pots will be reviewed and approved by the City’s Environmental Planner prior to initiating the field sampling. The percent of invasive weeds present will be calculated and averaged from the plots evaluated. Shrub (excluding willow cuttings, if any, that will be evaluated as a part of ground cover) and tree species planted as a part of wetland mitigation construction will be tallied by a simple count of viable species present at the time of monitoring fieldwork. Andy indications of insect or animal damage will be noted, as will any indication of nutrient deficiencies. That portion of the compensatory mitigation site supporting wetlands at the time of the third end-of-season monitoring visit will be surveyed to calculate the acreage of wetlands successfully created. A map depicting the results of the survey will be included with the annual report. A detailed monitoring report will be submitted the City and Bellisimo, Inc. on or before December 31 of each monitoring year. Information and showings to be submitted with each annual quantitative monitoring report include a project location map, project history summary, a discussion of the conditions of the compensatory mitigation site, a summary of the data collected, copies of all data sheets completed in the field, recommendations for corrective actions (if any) and a continuation of the photographic record submitted with the first annual report. Observation wells are not planned for the monitoring since the wetland is designed to be wet throughout the growing season. Wells excavated to a depth of 6.0 feet could be added to the program if the anticipated soil moisture regime varies from that planned. Note Should the data from the monitoring plan show that the hydrology regime of the wetland is no longer adequate to support wetland communities, appropriate actions will be taken to ensure that the overall objectives of upland habitat creation and enhancement will be achieved. Such actions include, as necessary, seedbed preparation techniques, fertilization, reseeding and planting, and mulching.