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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLEMAY AVENUE CRAFT BREWERY & SELF-STORAGE FACILITY - PDP - PDP150009 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTEcological Characterization Report Self-Storage & Microbrewery Property City of Fort Collins Larimer County, Colorado City of Fort Collins, Colorado prepared for: JR Engineering 2900 S. College Ave., Suite 3D, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525 prepared by: Western Ecological Resource, Inc. 711 Walnut Street, Boulder, Colorado 80302 May 2015 Acknowledgement Wildlife Sections prepared by: Jerry Powell Wildlife Specialties, LLC www.wildlifespecialtiesllc.com Table of Contents Section / Title Page 1.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1 2.0 Environmental Setting ............................................................................................................ 1 3.0 Proposed Development .......................................................................................................... 1 4.0 Survey Methods ..................................................................................................................... 2 5.0 Ecological Characterization Report ......................................................................................... 2 5.1 Wildlife Use of the Area ..................................................................................................... 2 5.2 Wetlands ............................................................................................................................ 3 5.3 Prominent Views ................................................................................................................ 3 5.4 Native Vegetation ............................................................................................................... 3 5.5 Significant Non-Native Tree Species ................................................................................... 3 5.6 Bank, Shoreline or High Water Mark .................................................................................. 3 5.7 Sensitive or Specially Valued Species .................................................................................. 3 5.8 Special Habitat Features ...................................................................................................... 5 5.9 Wildlife Movement Corridor ............................................................................................... 5 5.10 General Ecological Function ............................................................................................. 5 5.11 Issues with Timing of Development Activities ................................................................... 5 5.12 Natural Habitat or Features Requiring Mitigation ............................................................... 5 6.0 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 5 7.0 Recommended Mitigation Measures ....................................................................................... 6 8.0 Figures ................................................................................................................................... 7 9.0 Tables .................................................................................................................................. 13 10.0 Photos ................................................................................................................................ 22 11.0 References ......................................................................................................................... 25 List of Figures Number / Title Page Figure 1. Vicinity Map ................................................................................................................. 8 Figure 2. Project Location Map .................................................................................................... 9 Figure 3. Vegetation Type Map .................................................................................................. 10 Figure 4. Concept Development Plan ........................................................................................ 11 Figure 5. Prairie Dog Colony Map ............................................................................................. 12 List of Tables Number / Title Page Table 1. Plant Species List ........................................................................................................... 14 Table 2. Federally Listed Threatened, Endangered and Candidate Plants of Colorado ................... 15 Table 3. Federal Threatened, Endangered and Candidate and State of Colorado Species of Special Concern Wildlife Species Potentially Occurring in Larimer County, Colorado ...................... 17 Table 4. Upland Prairie Seed Mix ................................................................................................ 18 Table 5. Tallgrass Prairie Seed Mix .............................................................................................. 19 Table 6. Native Prairie Landscape Plantings ................................................................................. 20 List of Photos Number / Title Page Photo 1. Disturbed agricultural grassland, with prairie dog burrows. (02/20/15). .......................... 23 Photo 2. Disturbed agricultural grassland dominated by smooth brome. 02/20/15). ..................... 23 Photo 3. Ponderosa pine trees along west property boundary. (02/20/2015). ............................... 24 Photo 4. Looking north across project site. (02/20/2015). ............................................................. 24 1 1.0 Introduction JR Engineering is preparing plans to develop a 6.3 acre property at 1025 Buckingham Street, located at the intersection of Buckingham Street and North Lemay Avenue in Fort Collins, Colorado (Figure 1). Specifically, the property is located in the northeast quarter of Section 12 of Township 7 North and Range 69 West (Figure 2). The existing property would be divided into two lots. One lot would have a self-storage facility with an office building and a manager's residence, and the second lot would house a microbrewery. Per the requirement of City of Fort Collins Land Use Code Article 3 General Development Standards, Section 3.4.1 Natural Habitat Features, an Ecological Characterization Study (ECS) has been prepared to describe the natural habitats of the project site and assess the potential impact of the development on the vegetation and wildlife resources of the property. In addition, the City of Fort Collins planning staff, in a letter dated September 29, 2014, has identified the site as potentially being part of a prairie dog colony greater than 50 acres in size, which is protected by the Land Use Code. Accordingly, this ECS report documents the actual size and value of the prairie dog colony in the area and assesses how the proposed development will impact the colony. No other City of Fort Collins Natural Habitat or Feature is present within the project site. Please note, Figures are located in Section 9.0, Tables are in Section 10.0, and Photos are in Section 11.0. 2.0 Environmental Setting The Self-Storage and Microbrewery property is located southwest of the intersection of Buckingham Street and North Lemay Avenue. Buckingham Street forms the north boundary of the property, and North Lemay Avenue, also known as 9th Street, forms the eastern boundary. There are undeveloped lands directly north and east of the project site, and commercial developments to the south and west. The topography of the site slopes gently to the southeast from a high of 4,949 feet to a low of 4,945 feet in elevation. There are no irrigation ditches or water features present. The property has an agricultural land use history which has eliminated the native short grass prairie that once characterized the project site. Today, the project site is characterized by a disturbed weedy agricultural grassland. In addition, several ornamental tree plantings occur off of the project site along the southern and western property lines. A total of 24 species of plants were observed on the project site, and 83% are non- native (Table 1). Seven plants are listed as Colorado noxious weeds. Figure 3 and Photos 1 through 4 illustrate the vegetation resources of the project area. Please note, about a third of the project site lacks any significant vegetative cover due to an active black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colony. There are no native prairie remnants present or other vegetation resources of significance. 3.0 Proposed Development As illustrated by Figure 4, the Concept Development Plan, the 6.3 acre project site would be subdivided into two lots of 0.9 and 5.4 acres each. The microbrewery would be located on the 0.9 acre lot at the intersection of Buckingham Street and North Lemay Avenue, and would include the brew house, tap room, retail area, and a beer garden, along with a number of dedicated parking spaces. The self-storage facility would be located on the 5.45 acre lot and include a variety of drive up and walk-through storage units, some of which would be climate controlled. In addition, an event activity lawn would be constructed adjacent to the microbrewery on the self- storage lot and would likely be used, in part, for an acoustic music venue and/or picnic area. To the east of the storage buildings, a detention pond would be constructed as part as the overall natural stormwater management system for the project. 2 4.0 Survey Methods The vegetation of the project site was identified and described during a site reconnaissance on February 20, 2015, and aerial photography was used to map the location of these site features. All trees directly adjacent to the property were identified by species, and the height and diameter- at-breast height (dbh) of each was ocularly estimated. Data from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (2012), the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP), and site reconnaissance were used to determine the potential presence of federally listed and sensitive plant species, as well as plant communities of importance. The project area was visited the morning of February 3, 2015 by Jerry Powell, Certified Ecologist and Certified Wildlife Biologist, to document wildlife use and habitat, the current plant community, and identification of Natural Habitats or Features. In addition to the field review, other sources including the Fort Collins Land Use Code and Natural Habitats & Features Inventory Map, Natural Diversity Information Source (NDIS 2015), and Colorado Herpetofaunal Atlas (2015) were also examined. All wildlife natural history information, distribution, etc. was obtained using Kingery 1998 (birds), Armstrong et al. 2011 (mammals), and Hammerson 1999 (amphibians and reptiles). 5.0 Ecological Characterization Report The following subsections are presented in the order identified by the City in Article 3 of the City of Fort Collins General Development Standards section 3.4.1(D)(a-l). 5.1 Wildlife Use of the Area Wildlife use of the project site is extremely limited because of the urban location of the project area, surrounding land uses, and the non-native, invasive species dominated plant community. None of the original native shortgrass prairie remains within the project site. Wildlife species capable of existing within or using the project site are limited to those species that are habitat generalists capable of existing in highly modified urban environments. Examples of such species include the Rock Dove (pigeon - Columba livia), and raccoon (Procyon lotor), species which can become nuisance wildlife. Evidence of wildlife use of the project site noted during the site visit was the presence of an approximately 7.5 acre Black-tailed Prairie Dog (prairie dog - Cynomys ludovicianus) colony that dominates the project site. In addition to the prairie dogs, one Eastern Cottontail Rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus – please note that the three species of cottontails that occur within the Front Range are very difficult to distinguish in the field) was observed sitting at a burrow entrance. The project site does not contain any unique or important (e.g. mapped mule deer [Odocoileus hemionus] concentration area) wildlife habitat, nor is there any habitat for use as part of a larger migration corridor (NDIS 2015). The project site does not provide bodies of water for use as waterfowl concentration areas. Raptors do use the project area for foraging; one adult Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) was observed actively watching prairie dogs within the project site while perched in trees east of the project site. No raptor nesting habitat is located within the project site and no active or inactive nests were observed within 500 feet of the project site. The lack of trees within the project area eliminates its use by tree nesting migratory birds. Because of the presence of large open areas of bare ground, it is likely that some ground nesting 3 species such as the Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) use the project area for nesting. There is no native prairie on the project site, thus nesting habitat for grassland birds is not present within the project site. Finally, no red fox (Vulpes vulpes) or coyote (Canis latrans) dens exist within the project site. 5.2 Wetlands No wetlands are present within the project area. 5.3 Prominent Views There are no prominent views of the Front Range foothills from or across the project site. In addition, development of the project area would not impact any prominent views from other nearby properties. 5.4 Native Vegetation No native vegetation exists on the project site. Instead, a disturbed agricultural grassland occurs over the entire 8.3 acre project site, which is dominated by smooth brome (Bromus inermis) and quackgrass (Elytrigia repens) with scattered weeds such as kochia (Bassia sieversiana), prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola), sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis, M. alba), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), Dalmatian toadflax (Linaria genistifolia subsp. dalmatica), and mullein (Verbascum thapsus). The grassland, which is mowed in the fall, was likely part of a farming or ranching operation in the past. 5.5 Significant Non-Native Tree Species The City defines significant trees in the Land Use Code as trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of six inches and greater. There is one Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia L) tree approximately 20 feet tall located on the project site and one Russian olive sapling. Russian olive trees are Colorado State listed noxious weeds. Ornamental tree plantings occur along the west and south property lines on the adjacent properties. These plantings include eight ponderosa pine trees (Pinus ponderosa) approximately 20 feet tall and 10 to 14 inches dbh along the west property line. In addition, there is one planted honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) at the northwest corner of the project site. On the property to the south are five planted green ash trees (Fraxinus pensylvanica), two Ponderosa pines, and a horizontal juniper shrub (Juniperus horizontals). 5.6 Bank, Shoreline or High Water Mark No perennial streams, bodies of water, or wetlands are present within the project area. Therefore, there is no bank, shoreline, or high water mark within the project area. The nearest waterbody is the Coy Ditch, located approximately 600 feet south of the project site. 5.7 Sensitive or Specially Valued Species There are seven endangered, nine threatened, and three candidate plant species listed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (2013) for the State of Colorado (Table 2). However, only the Colorado butterfly plant (Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis) and the Ute ladies' tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis) have a distribution in Larimer County. The western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclara), a plant located downstream along the Platte River in Nebraska, is of a concern, but only for those projects that result in water depletions to the Platte River system. This project would not result in any water depletions. 4 The Colorado butterfly plant is a federally threatened, short-lived perennial herbaceous plant. This subspecies occurs primarily on subirrigated alluvial soils on level or slightly sloping floodplains and drainage bottoms at elevations between 5,000 and 6,400 feet (USFWS, 2000). The butterfly plant requires early- to mid-successional riparian habitat, and colonies are often found in low depressions or along bends in wide, active, meandering stream channels a short distance upslope of the actual channel (USFWS, 2000). The Colorado butterfly plant appears to require shallow subsurface water, and it is not found where streams are deeply incised (Rocky Mountain Heritage Task Force, 1987). The project site does not provide appropriate habitat for the Colorado butterfly plant. The Ute ladies’ tresses orchid is a federally threatened perennial herbaceous plant endemic to moist soils in mesic or wet meadows near springs, lakes, or perennial streams (USFWS, 1995; Jennings, 1990). In Colorado, the elevational range of known Ute ladies’ tresses orchid populations is between 4,500 and 6,800 feet (Spackman et al., 1997). This orchid prefers sites with permanent sub-irrigation such as floodplains where the water table is near the surface throughout the growing season and into the late summer or early autumn (USFWS, 1995; Jennings, 1990). The project site does not provide appropriate habitat for the Ute ladies’ tresses orchid. A search of CNHP records for the project site and surrounding area was conducted to determine the presence of element occurrence records (EORs) for sensitive plant and animal species (CNHP, 2014). No EORs were reported for the project area. Also, the CNHP does not map any priority conservation areas (PCAs) within or near the project site that would be impacted by development of the project site. There are no other sensitive or specially valued species that occur on the project site or that would be affected by project activities. Table 3 lists federal and state listed endangered and threatened species, and State of Colorado listed "Species of Special Concern" (CPW, 2015) for wildlife species likely to occur in the Fort Collins area and potentially found on the project site. The project site does not present suitable habitat for any of the species identified in Table 3, thus there will be no further discussion of these species. There are three areas on and near the project site that have prairie dogs, including the project site, the area east of Lemay Avenue (the eastern boundary of the project site), and the area north of Buckingham Street (the northern boundary of the project site). See Figure 5. The total size of the three areas is approximately 36.7 acres. Lemay Avenue functions as a barrier between the east and west colonies. Therefore, only the two colonies west of Lemay Avenue should be considered contiguous and function as one colony, based on the City’s 2007 Wildlife Management Guidelines which provides the following filters for determining black-tailed prairie dog colonies: Filter 1 - Determine Available Prairie Dog Habitat. Available prairie dog habitat is defined as areas greater than 50 acres that:  Do not have hydric (wet or saturated) soils.  Are dominated by grass or herbaceous plants (excludes forests, shrublands, etc.).  Lands with slopes less than 10%. Filter 2 - Areas that represent other high-priority conservation targets. These represent areas where prairie dogs will be excluded.  Areas with rare plants such as Physaria bellii (Bell’s twinpod).  Sites with unique flora or fauna that would be adversely affected by the high- intensity grazing.  Active ecological restoration areas, because prairie dogs disturb the soil and graze upon germinating vegetation.  High quality grasslands with substantial native vegetation deserving protection. The definition of high quality grasslands in a larger context would inherently 5 include prairie dog colonies. However, in this context, we are referring to areas with high percentage of native vegetation species that would be vulnerable to invasion by non-native species when bare ground is exposed (due to grazing by prairie dogs). Filter 3 - Minimum prairie dog complex size of 50 acres.  Does the land remaining after filters #1 and #2, still consist of 50 or more contiguous acres?  The entire 50 acres must also be without habitat barriers. For example, a four- lane road, or the Poudre River will act as a barrier to prairie dog movement. Because Lemay Avenue is a barrier and the eastern colony is stand-alone, the total acreage of the western colony is 26 acres, well below the 50 acre threshold. 5.8 Special Habitat Features The project area contains no special habitat features as defined by the City. 5.9 Wildlife Movement Corridor Because of its location within the City and the lack of natural movement corridors between areas of higher quality habitat, the project area does not contain any seasonal or daily wildlife movement corridors. 5.10 General Ecological Function The project area functions as a source of invasive plant seed which spreads and colonizes surrounding areas. The disturbed nature of the project area and the presence of invasive non- native plant species diminish the general ecological function and value of the project area. 5.11 Issues with Timing of Development Activities The Western Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) is commonly found in prairie dog towns. Burrowing owls require the burrows made by prairie dogs and other burrowing mammals for nesting and roosting. Federal and state laws prohibit the harming or killing of burrowing owls and the destruction of active nests. If removal of the prairie dogs occurs between March 15 and October 31, burrowing owl surveys will be required. If burrowing owls are found, then the burrow location(s) must be mapped and no prairie dog management or earth disturbing activities are allowed within 150 feet. Prairie dog management or earthwork can only occur once the burrow(s) are determined to no longer be in use. No other wildlife activity or nests were found within the project area that would require a seasonal or daily timing restriction of development activities. 5.12 Natural Habitat or Features Requiring Mitigation No natural habitat or features exist within the project area, thus, no impacts and associated mitigation would occur as a result of development of the project area. 6.0 Conclusion The proposed development would eliminate all of the disturbed weedy agricultural grassland from the project site. However, all of the ornamental trees on the adjacent parcels to the west and south would remain and would not be adversely impacted by the proposed project. The project would not impact federally listed or sensitive plant species, CNHP listed Natural Communities, or City of Fort Collins Natural Areas, because none occur on the project site. 6 The native habitats on the project site were eliminated in the past and the disturbed introduced vegetation present today only provides habitat for wildlife species capable of using highly impacted urban areas. The one wildlife feature of note on the project site is the approximately 7.5 acre prairie dog colony. Relocation of the prairie dogs is not a viable option. The project would not impact federally listed species, sensitive species or CNHP listed wildlife resources because none occur on the project site. 7.0 Recommended Mitigation Measures Per City of Fort Collins Land Use Code:  Any landscaping shall use native plants and grasses and reduce bluegrass lawns as much as possible. Table 4 contains a native short-grass prairie seed mix to be used for the stormwater detention swales and the side slopes of the detention basin. Table 5 contains a native tall-grass prairie mix recommended for the bottom of the stormwater detention pond. Finally, Table 6 contains a list of recommended low-water native tree, shrub and forb plantings for the landscaped areas.  Any prairie dogs inhabiting the site must be humanely eradicated using Colorado Department of Agriculture approved techniques.  If prairie dog management occurs between March 15 and October 31, burrowing owl surveys are required. Surveys must be conducted by a professional, qualified wildlife biologist per Colorado Parks and Wildlife protocol. 7 8.0 Figures 105°0'30"W 105°0'30"W 105°1'0"W 105°1'0"W 105°1'30"W 105°1'30"W 105°2'0"W 105°2'0"W 105°2'30"W 105°2'30"W 105°3'0"W 105°3'0"W 105°3'30"W 105°3'30"W 105°4'0"W 105°4'0"W 105°4'30"W 105°4'30"W 105°5'0"W 105°5'0"W 40°37'0"N 40°37'0"N 40°36'30"N 40°36'30"N 40°36'0"N 40°36'0"N 40°35'30"N 40°35'30"N 40°35'0"N 40°35'0"N 40°34'30"N 40°34'30"N 40°34'0"N 40°34'0"N 40°33'30"N 40°33'30"N LemayMap Avenue Self-Storage Figure and 1. Microbrewery Vicinity Ü BASE: GridRoad Lat/Bing Long Maps WGS 1984 Western 711 Ecological Walnut Street Resource Inc. Boulder, 303-80302449-CO 9009 Scale:000 1:48, 1 inch = 4,000 feet " COLORADO Map Location Project Location 8 Copyright:© 2013 National Geographic Society, i-cubed 105°3'0"W 105°3'0"W 105°3'30"W 105°3'30"W 105°4'0"W 105°4'0"W 105°4'30"W 105°4'30"W 105°5'0"W 105°5'0"W 40°36'0"N 40°36'0"N 40°35'30"N 40°35'30"N 40°35'0"N 40°35'0"N 40°34'30"N 40°34'30"N 40°34'0"N 40°34'0"N Ü BASE: GridQuadrangle Lat/USGS Long Fort WGS Collins, 1984 Colorado Western 711 Ecological Walnut Street Resource Inc. Boulder, 303-80302449-CO 9009 Scale:000 1:24, 1 inch = 2,000 feet " COLORADO Map Location Project Location LemayMap Avenue Self-Figure Storage 2. Project and Location Microbrewery 9 Source: CNES/Airbus Esri, DigitalGlobe, DS, USDA, USGS, GeoEye, AEX, Earthstar Getmapping, Geographics,Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Western 711 Ecological Walnut Street Resource Inc. Boulder, 303-80302449-CO 9009 LemayMap Avenue Self-Figure Storage 3. Vegetation and Microbrewery Type Ü Scale:200 1:1, 1 inch = 100 feet BASE: GridRoad Lat/Bing Long Maps WGS 1984 Legend ProjectBoundary Disturbed Agricultural Grassland 8 pine Ponderosa trees (off-site) 1 tree Honey (off-locust site) 2 pine Ponderosa trees (off-site) 1 (sitenoxious Russian weed olive tree on-species) Disturbed Agricultural Grassland 5 trees Green (off-ash site) 10 Figure 4. Conceptual Site Plan 11 Copyright:DigitalGlobe, © 2014 GeoEye, Esri, i-DeLorme, cubed, USDA, HERE, USGS, TomTom, AEX, Source: Getmapping, Esri, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community East Vine East Lincoln Avenue Buckingham Street Lemay Legend Colony North West Colony South West Colony East Colony Figure Locations 1. BTPD And Size 17.6 Acres 7.5 Acres 11.6 Acres 1 Scale: Inch = 1:375 4,500 ft. Ü Feb. 2015 0 125 250 500 Feet Prepared POB 1231, By: Wildlife Lyons, Specialties CO 80540 LLC Ph. 303-710-1286 12 13 9.0 Tables 14 Table 1. Plant Species List TABLE 1 Plant Species List Self-Storage & Microbrewery Property Scientific Name Common Name Family Origin* Trees Elaeagnus angustifolia Russian olive Eleangnaceae I+ Fraxinus pensylvanica Green Ash Oleaceae I Gleditsia triacanthos Honey locust Fabaceae I Pinus ponderosa Ponderosa pine Pinaceae N Populus deltoides Plains cottonwood Salicaceae N Ulmus pumila Chinese elm Ulmaceae I Shrubs Juniperus horizontalis Creeping juniper Cupressaceae I Perennial Graminoids Bromus inermis Smooth brome Poaceae I Elytrigia repens Quackgrass Poaceae I+ Perennial Forbs Cirsium arvense (Breea) Canada thistle Asteraceae I+ Convolvulus arvensis Field bindweed Convolvulaceae I+ Heterotheca villosa Golden aster Asteraceae N Linaria genistifolia subsp. dalmatica (L. dalmatica) Dalmatian toadflax Scrophulariaceae I+ Medicago sativa Alfalfa Fabaceae I Annual/Biennial Forbs Bassia sieversiana (Kochia scoparia) Kochia Chenopodiaceae I Lactuca serriola Prickly lettuce Asteraceae I Melilotus albus White sweet clover Fabaceae I Melilotus officinalis Yellow sweet clover Fabaceae I Polygonum arenastrum Prostrate knotweed Polygonaceae I Salsola australis (S. iberica) Russian thistle Chenopodiaceae I Senecio vulgaris Common groundsel Asteraceae I Tragopogon dubius Salsify Asteraceae I Verbascum thapsus Common mullein Scrophulariaceae I+ Annual Graminoids Bromus tectorum Cheatgrass; Downy brome Poaceae I+ *Origin: N = Native; I = Introduced; I+ = Introduced Noxious Weed 15 Table 2. Federally Listed Threatened, Endangered and Candidate Plants of Colorado TABLE 2 Federally Listed Threatened, Endangered and Candidate Plants of Colorado Page 1 of 2 Scientific Name Common Name Federal Status Colorado Distribution Habitat Astragalus humillimus Mancos milkvetch Endangered Montezuma Rock ledges in pinyon-juniper woodland, 5,500 - 5,850 ft. Astragalus microcymbus Skiff milkvetch Candidate Gunnison, Saguache Open, park-like landscapes in sagebrush shrubland on rocky or cobbly, moderate to steep slopes of hills and draws, 7,600 - 8,400 ft. Astragalus osterhoutii Osterhout milkvetch Endangered Grand Seleniferous clay soils in big sagebrush shrubland, 7,400 - 7,900 ft. Astragalus schmolliae Schmoll milkvetch Candidate Montezuma Mature pinyon-juniper woodlands, 6,800 - 7,000 ft. Astragalus tortipes Sleeping Ute milk-vetch Candidate Montezuma Desert scrub -Mancos shale, 5,400 - 5,700 ft. Eriogonum pelinophilum Clayloving wild buckwheat Endangered Delta, Montrose Mancos shale badlands in saltbrush shrubland, 5,200 - 6,400 ft. Eutrema penlandii Penland alpine fen mustard Threatened Park, Summit Moist calcareous alpine habitats, 12,300 - 13,100 ft. Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis Colorado butterfly plant Threatened Boulder, Broomfield, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer, Weld Sub-irrigated, alluvial soils of drainage bottoms, 5,800- 6,200 ft. Ipomopsis polyantha Pagosa skyrocket Endangered Archuleta Pagosa-Winifred soils derived from Mancos shale, 6,800 - 7,200 ft. Lesquerella congesta Dudley bluffs bladderpod Threatened Rio Blanco Barren, white shale outcrops of the Green River and Uinta Formations, 6,000 - 6,700 ft. Pediocactus knowltonii Knowlton cactus Endangered La Plata Alluvial deposits in pinyon-juniper and big sagebrush, 6,400 ft. Penstemon debilis Parachute beardtongue Threatened Garfield Oil shale outcrops on south-facing, steep white shale talus on the Mahogany Zone of the Parachute Creek Member of the Green River Formation, 8,000 - 9,000 ft. Penstemon penlandii Penland beardtongue Endangered Grand Barrens-Troublesome Formation, 7,500 - 7,700 ft. 16 TABLE 2 Federally Listed Threatened, Endangered and Candidate Plants of Colorado Page 2 of 2 Scientific Name Common Name Federal Status Colorado Distribution Habitat Phacelia formosula North Park phacelia Endangered Jackson, Larimer Barrens-sandstone outcrops Coalmont Formation, 8,000 - 8,500 ft. Phacelia submutica DeBeque phacelia Threatened Garfield, Mesa Sparsely vegetated steep slopes in clay of Wasatch Formation, 4,700 - 6,200 ft. Physaria obcordata Dudley Bluffs twinpod Threatened Rio Blanco Barrens-Green River Formation, 5,900 - 7,500 ft. Sclerocactus glaucus Colorado hookless cactus Threatened Delta, Garfield, Mesa, Montrose Desert shrub, 4,500 - 6,000 ft. Sclerocactus mesae-verdae Mesa Verde cactus Threatened Montezuma Shale or adobe clay badlands, 4,000 - 5,000 ft. Spiranthes diluvialis Ute ladies' tresses orchid Threatened Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Eagle, El Paso, Garfield, Jefferson, Larimer, Moffat, Morgan, Pitkin, Weld Sub-irrigated, alluvial soils along streams, 4,500 - 6,800 ft. Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website. www. fws.gov. List current as of March 5, 2015 17 TABLE 3 Federal Threatened, Endangered and Candidate Wildlife Species and State of Colorado Species of Special Concern Potentially Occurring in Larimer County, Colorado Scientific Name Common Name Federal Status Habitat Requirements Potential for Occurrence Fishes Oncorhynchus clarki ssp. stomias Greenback Cutthroat Trout FT High altitude cold streams. No potential for occurrence. Birds Strix occidentalis lucida Mexican Spotted Owl FT Rocky canyons with deciduous trees. No potential for occurrence. Centrocercus urophasianus Greater Sage- grouse C Areas dominated by sage. No potential for occurrence. Buteo regalis Ferruginous Hawk SSC Vast expanses of ungrazed or lightly grazed grassland and shrubland with varied topography, including hills, ridges, and valleys. No potential for occurrence. Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald Eagle SSC Large rivers and reservoirs with large trees nearby for nesting. No potential for occurrence. Mammals Mustela nigripes Black-Footed Ferret EPNE Large prairie dog colonies. No potential for occurrence. Zapus hudsonious preblei Preble’s Meadow Jumping Mouse 18 Table 4. Upland Prairie Seed Mix TABLE 4 Native Prairie Seed Mix Stormwater Swales and Side Slopes of Detention Pond Self-Storage & Microbrewery Project Seeding Rate Scientific Name (var.) Common Name PLS Lbs./acre* Grasses Aristida purpurea Purple three-awn 2 Buchloe dactyloides Buffalograss 8 Chondrosum gracile Blue grama 3 Elymus elymoides Squirreltail 2 Pascopyrum smithii (Arriba) Western wheatgrass 6 Poa secunda Sandberg bluegrass 1/2 Stipa comata Needle and thread 4 Subtotal 25 1/2 Forbs Artemisia frigida Fringed sage 1/16 Coreopsis tinctoria Plains coreopsis 1/16 Erysimum aspermum Plains wallflower 1/8 Gaillardia pulchella Blanket flower 1/2 Liatris punctata Dotted gayfeather 1/2 Penstemon angustifolius Narrowleaf penstemon 1/2 Ratibida columnifera Prairie coneflower 1/8 Rudbeckia hirta Gloriosa daisy 1/16 Sphaeralcea coccinea Scarlet globemallow 1/16 Subtotal 2 TOTAL 27 1/2 * Drill seed rate. Double application for broadcast methods. 19 Table 5. Tallgrass Prairie Seed Mix TABLE 5 Tallgrass Prairie Seed Mix Bottom of Detention Pond Self-Storage & Microbrewery Project Scientific Name Common Name Seeding Rate PLS lbs./acre Grasses, Sedges & Rushes Andropogon gerardii Big bluestem 2 Carex praegracilis Clustered field sedge ¼ Glyceria striata Fowl mannagrass ¼ Panicum virgatum Switchgrass 3 Pascopyrum smithii Western wheatgrass 4 Poa palustris Fowl bluegrass ¼ Puccinellia airoides Nuttall alkaligrass ¼ Scirpus paludosus Alkali bulrush 1½ Sorgastrum nutans Indian grass 3 Spartina pectinata Prairie cordgrass 4 Sporobolous airoides Alkali sacaton ¼ Total Grasses, Sedges & Rushes 18¾ Forbs Asclepias incarnata Swamp milkweed ½ Helenium autumnale Sneezeweed ¼ Helianthus nuttallii Marsh sunflower 1 Polygonum pensylvanica Giant smartweed 2 Solidago canadensis Canada goldenrod 1/8 Total Forbs 3 7/8 GRAND TOTAL 22 5/8 * Broadcast seeding rate. Halve application rate for drill method. 20 Table 6. Native Prairie Landscape Plantings TABLE 6 Native Prairie Plantings Low Water Requirement Self-Storage & Microbrewery Property Scientific Name Common Name Family Trees Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain Juniper Cupressaceae Pinus ponderosa Ponderosa pine Pinaceae Populus deltoides Plains cottonwood Salicaceae Populus x acuminata Smoothbark cottonwood Salicaceae Shrubs Amelanchier alnifolia Serviceberry Rosaceae Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Kinnickinnick Ericaceae Artemisia frigida Fringed sage Asteraceae Atriplex canescens Fourwing saltbush Chenopodiaceae Celtis reticulata Netleaf hackberry Ulmaceae Cercocarpus montanus Mountain mahogany Rosaceae Chrysothamnus nauseosus Rubber rabbitbrush Asteraceae Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus Green rabbitbrush Asteraceae Cornus sericea (C. stolonifera) Redosier dogwood Cornaceae Jamesia americana American waxflower Hydrangeaceae Mahonia repens Oregon grape Berberidaceae Oreobatus deliciosus Boulder raspberry Rosaceae Pentaphylloides floribunda (=syn. Dasiphora fruticosa) Shrubby cinquefoil Rosaceae Prunus americana Wild plum Rosaceae Prunus virginiana var. melanocarpa Native chokecherry Rosaceae Purshia tridentata Bitterbrush Rosaceae Rhus trilobata Skunk brush Anacardiaceae Ribes aureum Yellow currant Grossulariaceae Ribes cereum Wax currant Grossulariaceae Rosa woodsii Wood rose Rosaceae Symphoricarpos occidentalis Snowberry Caprifoliaceae Yucca glauca Yucca Agavaceae Perennial Forbs Achillea lanulosa Yarrow Asteraceae Adenolinum lewisii (Linum) Wild flax Linaceae Amorpha fruticosa Lead plant Fabaceae Artemisia ludoviciana White sage Asteraceae Asclepias speciosa Showy milkweed Asclepiadaceae Campanula rotundifolia Harebell Campanulaceae Dalea purpurea Purple dalea Fabaceae Eriogonum umbellatum Wild buckwheat Polygonaceae Erythrocoma triflora (Geum) Prairie smoke Rosaceae Gaillardia aristata Blanketflower Asteraceae Heterotheca villosa Golden aster Asteraceae Humulus lupulus subsp. americanus Wild hops Cannabaceae 21 TABLE 6 Native Prairie Plantings Low Water Requirement Self-Storage & Microbrewery Property Scientific Name Common Name Family Lupinus argenteus Silvery lupine Fabaceae Monarda fistulosa var. menthifolia Horsemint Lamiaceae Penstemon angustifolius subsp. caudatus Broadbeard beardtongue Scrophulariaceae Penstemon strictus Rocky Mountain penstemon Scrophulariaceae Ratibida columnifera Prairie coneflower Asteraceae Annual/Biennial Forbs Cleome serrulata Bee spider-flower Capparaceae Helianthus annuus Common sunflower Asteraceae 22 10.0 Photos 23 Photo 1. Disturbed agricultural grassland, with prairie dog burrows. Looking south across project site (02/20/15). Photo 2. Disturbed agricultural grassland dominated by smooth brome along southern property boundary. Building is located south of project site (02/20/15). 24 Photo 3. Ponderosa pine trees along west property boundary. Existing building is off of project site (02/20/2015). Photo 4. Looking north across project site (02/20/2015). 25 11.0 References Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 2015. Threatened and Endangered List [Online]. Available: http://cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/SOC-ThreatenedEndangeredList.aspx [Last accessed March 13, 2015]. Colorado Herpetofaunal Atlas. 2015. [Online]. Available: http://ndis.nrel.colostate.edu/herpatlas/coherpatlas/ [Last accessed March 13, 2015]. Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S.A. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. 2012. Biodiversity Tracking and Conservation System. Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S.A. Tracked Vascular Plant Species. [Online]. Available: http://www.cnhp.colostate.edu/tracking/vascular.html [Last accessed March 28, 2012]. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. 2008. State-wide Potential Conservation Areas and State- wide Elements by Quad (August 2008), Arc View Shapefiles. [Online]. Available: http://www.cnhp.colostate.edu/gis.html [Last accessed March 28, 2012]. Armstrong David M., Fitzgerald, James P, and Carron A. Meaney. 2011. Mammals of Colorado. 2nd Ed. Denver Museum of Natural History and University Press of Colorado. Hammerson, Geoffrey A. 1999. Amphibians and Reptiles in Colorado. Second Edition. University Press of Colorado and Colorado Division of Wildlife. Jennings, William F. 1990. Final Report. Species studied: Spiranthes diluvialis, Sisyrinchium pallidum. Report for the Nature Conservancy under the Colorado Natural History Small Grants Program. The Nature Conservancy, Boulder, Colorado. Kingery, Hugh E. (Ed.). 1998. Colorado Breeding Bird Atlas. Colorado Bird Atlas Partnership. Natural Diversity Information Source (NDIS). 2012. Colorado Division of Wildlife. Wildlife Species Page [Online]. Available: http://ndis.nrel.colostate.edu/wildlife.asp [Last accessed October 15, 2012]. Rocky Mountain Heritage Task Force. 1987. Field inventory and demographic studies of the Colorado butterfly plant (Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis) in Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming. The Nature Conservancy, Denver. Spackman, S., et al. 1997. Colorado Rare Plant Field Guide. Prepared for the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2000. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants: Threatened status for the Colorado butterfly plant (Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis) from southeastern Wyoming, Northcentral Colorado, and extreme western Nebraska, Final Rule. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1995. Ute Ladies'-tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis) recovery plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Denver, Colorado. FT Riparian areas with lush vegetation. No potential for occurrence. Gulo gulo luscus North American Wolverine C High altitude spruce-fir forest and alpine areas with little human disturbance. No potential for occurrence. Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx FT High altitude spruce-fir forests. No potential for occurrence. Cynomys ludovicianus Black-tailed Prairie Dog SSC Open, flat areas with appropriate soil types. Present within project site. Corynorhinus townsendii Townsend’s Big- eared Bat SSC Semidesert shrublands, pinon-juniper woodlands, and open montane forests. No potential for occurrence. Vulpes velox Swift Fox SSC Shortgrass prairie areas with relatively flat to gently rolling topography. No potential for occurrence. Amphibians/Reptiles Rana pipiens Northern Leopard Frog SSC Wet meadows and the banks and shallows of marshes, ponds, glacial kettle ponds, beaver ponds, lakes, reservoirs, streams, and irrigation ditches. No potential for occurrence. Thamnophis sirtalis Common Garter Snake SSC Restricted to aquatic, wetland, and riparian habitats along the floodplains of streams. No potential for occurrence. Insects Capnia arapahoe Arapahoe Snowfly C Cold, clean, well- oxygenated streams and rivers No potential for occurrence. E = Endangered; T = Threatened; C = Candidate for Federal listing; EPNE = Experimental Population Non-Essential; SSC = State Special Concern