Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutRIVERSIDE COMMUNITY SOLAR GARDEN - PDP - PDP140013 - REPORTS - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTJune 26, 2104 Mark Zwieg Land Manager Clean Energy Collective 3005 Center Green Drive, #205 Boulder, CO 80301 RE: Updated Ecological Characterization Study (ECS) Report for the Pickle Plant Project Site Scott: This letter report is submitted in response to the City of Fort Collins’ requirement for an ECS Report summarizing the ecological features of the Pickle Plant site, which is proposed for solar energy development. This letter report is an updated report of a previous Pickle Plant ECS Reported submitted on February 15, 2011. The Pickle Plant project site is located at the northeast corner of Riverside Avenue and East Mulberry Street. The property is bounded by the Cache la Poudre River to the north, the City of Fort Collins’ Wastewater Treatment Facility to the East, Riverside Avenue to the west, and Mulberry Street and existing landscaping to the south (see attached Figure 1). This report was prepared in accordance with Section 3.4.1 of the Land Use Code of the City of Fort Collins regarding the preparation of an ECS Report. A previous field survey was completed to review site characteristics of the project area with Lindsay Ex with the City of Fort Collins on February 7, 2011. A second site reconnaissance was completed with Clean Energy Collective and City of Fort Collins staff on May 19, 2014. The field surveys were conducted to characterize existing wildlife habitats, as well as identify any unique or sensitive natural resource features. Observations recorded during the wildlife habitat field evaluation included: major vegetation communities/wildlife habitats present within the property, dominant vegetation associated with each community/habitat, and unique habitat features. Existing habitats were also evaluated regarding their ability to support populations of threatened, endangered, and other sensitive plant and wildlife species. 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 project site was formerly occupied by a pickle production facility and was cleared of all native vegetation. As a result the majority of the site is nearly level and dominated primarily by annual weedy species or nearly bare areas with minimal vegetation cover (see attached Figure 1 and Photo 1). Common weedy species recorded on the property included kochia (Bassia scoparia1 ), Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), redstem stork’s bill (Erodium cicutarium), knotweed (Polygonum arenastrum), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), and mouse barley (Hordeum murinum). Small pockets of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), a Larimer County noxious weed, are also growing along the eastern property boundary fenceline. Areas with minimal vegetation cover appear to be the result of highly compacted soils with a high percentage of rock in the surface layer. A remnant swath of asphalt 1 Scientific nomenclature follows USDA, NRCS Plants Database. Available online at: http://plants.usda.gov/java/ M. Zwieg 6/26/14 Page 2 of 4 paving further degrades the ground surface at the north edge of the property (see attached Figure 1 and Photo 2). The only other habitat within the project area is riparian woodland/disturbed at the north end of the property. This riparian woodland is supported on a steep slope down to the river. The drop off from the nearly level edge of the site down to the river is approximately 50 to 60 feet with a slope of ranging from 1.25:1 to 1:1 (80 to 100 percent slope). It was classified as disturbed because it has been cleared in the past and embedded with timbers, concrete blocks, and other inorganic materials to stabilize the slope. Small areas of caving asphalt along the top edge of the slope indicate there are still some problems with slope stability. As a result of past stabilization activities, relatively small, non-native Siberian elms (Ulmus pumila) and boxelders (Acer negundo) are the principal trees growing on the slope. The only other woody species present are a few native rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa) shrubs growing along the top edge of the slope. Past clearing and commercial activities on the Pickle Plant site has removed all natural habitat features except for the Cache la Poudre River corridor along the northern property edge. The river corridor, riparian woodlands and a narrow strip of wetlands along the river edge represent the only ecologically important habitats within the property boundaries. However, even the riparian woodlands have been degraded by past slope stabilization measures, and the steep slope restricts wetland development along the river’s edge (see attached Photos 3 and 4). Surrounding land uses of highways, railroad tracks, wastewater treatment plant, golf course, and commercial properties further limit habitat value and wildlife use of the Pickle Plant property. Wildlife sign noted on the Pickle Plant site indicate Canada geese, deer, and raccoon occasionally move the area. However, the lack of any cover and food sources for most wildlife species, as well as surrounding land uses, restrict any consistent or important wildlife use of the site. Features of ecological value within 500 feet of the Pickle Plant site include the Cache la Poudre River corridor and riparian woodland between the east side of the property and the Wastewater Treatment Plant. This stand of riparian woodland is also on a relatively steep slope but does not appear to have been exposed to the extent of past disturbance exhibited along the slope at the north property boundary. Trees growing in the eastern riparian woodlands are also dominated by Siberian elms and boxelders, although these are more mature and of much larger stature than the trees growing along the north end of the property. These trees are contained within the Wastewater Treatment Facility property and are separated from the Pickle Plant property boundary by a 30 to 50-foot nearly level bench that does not support any woody species. (b) No wetlands are located on the property except at the north end of the parcel along the edge of the Cache la Poudre River. Because of the very steep slope from the level edge of the property down to the river, wetland development is restricted to a narrow (3 to 5-foot wide), shoreline strip of reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) immediately adjacent to the river. The wetlands are jurisdictional but were not mapped since project development would have no impact on the river corridor. (c) The project does not provide any significant or unobstructed views of natural areas or other important visual features. Views of the Cache la Poudre River corridor from all but the north edge of the property are precluded by the steep drop off from the north edge of the property down to the river. (d) As indicated under (a & i) there are no significant native trees or other stands of native vegetation on the property. (e) The only natural drainage in the project area is the Cache la Poudre River. The river corridor is isolated from the majority of the project area by a steep slope at the north edge of the property. M. Zwieg 6/26/14 Page 3 of 4 (f) Suitable habitat conditions for Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei), Ute ladies’-tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis), and Colorado butterfly plant (Gaura neomexicana coloradensis) were judged not to be present within the project area. Slopes down to the river are too steep to support suitable soil moisture conditions for the orchid or butterfly plant, and wetland herbaceous cover preferred by the jumping mouse is absent along the this portion of the river shoreline because of steep slopes and extensive amounts of concrete blocks and other inorganic materials embedded in the slope to prevent erosion. (g) Because of past disturbances and over most portions of the project area, there are no special habitat features present except for the Cache la Poudre River corridor. (h) The Cache la Poudre River provides a movement corridor for urban-adapted wildlife species. The river corridor is isolated from the project area, both physically and visually by the steep slope between the river and the remainder of the property. (j) There are no issues regarding the timing of solar panel array construction on the Pickle Plant property and ecological features or wildlife use of the project area. None of the trees on or near the property exhibited any evidence of raptor nesting activity, and it is unlikely any raptors would nest near the property because of its degraded condition and the intensity of human activities surrounding the area. (k) Development of the Pickle Plant parcel would create no additional impacts to the Cache la Poudre River corridor beyond those that currently exist with the degraded Pickle Plant site, railroad, and commercial land uses. The property is zoned RDR (River Downtown Redevelopment District) and City buffer zone standards (LUC 3.4.1) do not apply to RDR zones. Based on its current zone designation; lack of any natural habitat features; type of project proposed: and its location by existing roadways, commercial developments; and railroad right-of-way, I do not believe that any habitat enhancement or mitigation measures are appropriate for the majority of proposed development parcel. However, it would be appropriate to maintain an average 50-foot buffer between development and the upper bank edge of the Poudre River, where possible, because of slope stability concerns and to provide some habitat enhancement for this degraded section of the river corridor. Existing asphalt paving and weedy species should be removed to permit enhancement of the buffer with plantings of native shrubs, grasses, and forbs. Weedy species should also be eradicated from the remainder of the property to prevent their spread back into any buffer zone areas. Planting of trees is not feasible because of shading implications for development of a solar array project. Removal of remnant asphalt paving should be contingent on geotechnical and slope stability evaluations to be completed for the property prior to development. Plantings of native vegetation within the buffer would create additional habitat diversity adjacent to the river corridor and provide additional visual screening between the proposed development and the edge of the river corridor. Any habitat enhancement plantings would likely require soil treatment to relieve compaction (ripping) and improve fertility (fertilizer amendments). Selection of species to be used for revegetation should focus on dryland drought tolerant species since the buffer area is elevated well above the river corridor. Even with the use of drought tolerant species, supplemental irrigation may be required for initial establishment. Since some stability (caving soils) issues were observed in the field, the entire proposed buffer zone along the top of the river embankment should receive a stability evaluation prior to attempting any enhancement measures. Ideally enhancement measures for the north edge of the property would include restoration efforts for the steep slope down to the river, but issues with the steep (1:1) slope, slope stability, and past stabilization measures (embedded concrete blocks and other materials) may likely preclude any meaningful restoration efforts. It is also recommended a sufficient buffer be maintained from the riparian woodlands outside of the east property boundary to protect these trees. The standard recommended tree protection measure is to M. Zwieg 6/26/14 Page 4 of 4 restrict surface disturbance, to the extent possible, to areas outside of the drip lines of the trees. This tree protection measure should be relatively easy to achieve with minimal constraints on development since the tree canopy edge is outside of the Pickle Plant property boundary. In addition, the existing bench between the property and the riparian woodland zone provides a suitable buffer width for this strip of riparian woodland. Creating a buffer beyond this recommendation would not provide additional enhancement for this riparian woodland since existing commercial development (the Wastewater Treatment Facility) encroaches up to the east edge of this riparian woodland and the south end of the woodland has no connection to any other natural area. If solar array development plans allow for any undeveloped surface along the east property boundary, habitat enhancement recommendations for these non-facility areas would be the same as for the buffer at the north end of the property. One final mitigation recommendation relates to the remaining pickle plant building on the property. The building currently exhibits holes in the east-facing wall that could permit ingress and egress for bats and possibly owl species such as great horned or barn owls. If the decision is made to demolish this building, the interior should be surveyed prior to demolition to ensure a lack of bat or owl use. If wildlife species are present, they should be flushed from the building and holes sealed to prevent wildlife re-entry prior to demolition. Mark, this concludes my evaluation of the Pickle Plant solar array project area. If you have any questions or require additional input regarding my evaluation, please give me a call. Sincerely, INC. T. Michael Phelan, Principal attachments: Habitat Mapping and Photos ECS Review – LDS Temple – Draft July 10, 2013 Ecological Characterization Study Review Project Name: Riverside Community Solar Garden Project Planner: Ryan Mounce ECS Consultant: Michael Phelan Review Date: June 26th, 2014 Project Description: The applicants are proposing a 600kw community solar garden facility. The property is bounded by the Cache la Poudre River to the north, the City of Fort Collins’ Wastewater Treatment Facility to the East, Riverside Avenue to the west, and Mulberry Street to the south – it is zoned RDR. Ecological Characterization Study (ECS) Requirements and Evaluation – Section 3.4.1(D) of the Land Use Code Yes No N/A Comments Is the project within 500’ of a Natural Habitat or Feature? If yes, which features? þ ¤ ¤ The project is immediately adjacent to the Poudre River which supports riparian woodland to the north and east of the project. Is the wildlife use and value of the area described? þ ¤ ¤ The site is occasionally used by Canada geese, deer and raccoons, but a lack of cover and food sources limits the sites use. Are there wetlands present? If yes, have the boundaries and functions been described? þ ¤ ¤ The Poudre River supports a shoreline strip of reed canarygrass 3-5 feet wide. The steep bank does not allow extensive wetland development. Are there any prominent views from or across the site? ¤ þ ¤ The steep drop off of the bank on the north side of the property limits any views of the Poudre River. Are the pattern, species, and location of significant native trees and vegetation described? þ ¤ ¤ There are no significant native trees or other native vegetation on the site. A few native rubber rabbitbrush grow on the top of bank. Are the pattern, species, and location of significant non- native trees and vegetation described? þ ¤ ¤ The site is dominated by annual weedy species or nearly bare areas. Siberian elms and boxelders grow on the slope down to the river. Is a stream or perennial body of water present? If yes, is top of bank located? þ ¤ ¤ The Cache la Poudre River is on the north end of the property. Top of bank has been located. Are sensitive or specially valued species present? If yes, are the areas of use identified? ¤ þ ¤ N/A ECS Checklist Page 2 Ecological Characterization Study (ECS) Requirements and Evaluation – Section 3.4.1(D) of the Land Use Code Are other special habitat features located on the site? ¤ þ ¤ N/A Does the site contain wildlife movement corridors? þ ¤ ¤ The river is used as a wildlife corridor by urban- adapted species. Are the general ecological functions of the site described? þ ¤ ¤ Besides the river, the site has little ecological value due to previous use on the site. It is now used occasionally by urban adapted species of wildlife and weedy plant species. Are there any issues regarding development related timing that should be addressed? þ ¤ ¤ The old pickle plant building should be checked for owls or bats before being demolished. Are any measures needed to mitigate adverse impacts projected by the development? þ ¤ ¤ The ECS recommends a 50’ minimum buffer should be maintained between the project and the top of bank because of slope stability concerns and to provide some habitat enhancement along the river. The project has provided a buffer that varies in width from 115’ to approximately 150’ and is proposing to plant this buffer with native plants that will provide a significantly increased diversity in vegetation structure.