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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVILLAGE ON REDWOOD (FORT COLLINS HOUSINTG AUTHORITY) - PDP - PDP150012 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTConsultants in Natural Resources and the Environment DENVER • DURANGO • HOTCHKISS • IDAHO ERO Resources Corp. 1842 Clarkson St. Denver, CO 80218 303.830.1188 www.eroresources.com ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY REDWOOD PARCEL LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO Prepared on Behalf of— Fort Collins Housing Authority 1715 W. Mountain Ave. Fort Collins, CO 80521 Prepared Under Contract to— JVA, Inc. 25 Old Town Square, Ste. 200 Fort Collins, CO 80524 Prepared by— ERO Resources Corporation 1842 Clarkson Street Denver, Colorado 80218 (303) 830-1188 ERO Project #6009 November 3, 2014 i ERO Resources Corporation CONTENTS Introduction ..........................................................................................................................1 Study area.............................................................................................................................2 Methods................................................................................................................................2 Vegetation ............................................................................................................................2 Other Wildlife ......................................................................................................................6 Wetlands and Other Waters .................................................................................................6 Views ...................................................................................................................................7 Impacts and Recommendations ...........................................................................................7 References ............................................................................................................................9 TABLES Table 1. Federally listed threatened and endangered species potentially found in Larimer County or with potential to be affected by projects in Larimer County. .....................3 FIGURES Figure 1. Vicinity Map Figure 2. Existing Conditions and Recommended 50-Foot Buffer PHOTOS Photo Log 1 ERO Resources Corporation ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY REDWOOD PARCEL LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO NOVEMBER 3, 2014 Introduction JVA, Inc. (JVA), on behalf of the Fort Collins Housing Authority (FCHA), retained ERO Resources Corporation (ERO) to conduct an Ecological Characterization Study (ECS) for the proposed Redwood housing development in the City of Fort Collins (study area). The FCHA is proposing to construct a new multi-family residential development in the study area. Section 3.4.1 of the Fort Collins Land Use Code requires an ECS for development sites that contain, or are located within 500 feet of, an area or feature identified as a natural habitat or feature of the City of Fort Collins Natural Habitats and Features Inventory Map or that are discovered during site evaluations associated with the development review process. As required under Article 3, the ECS describes the following: (a) the wildlife use of the area showing the species of wildlife using the area, the times or seasons that the area is used by those species, and the “value” (meaning feeding, watering, cover, nesting, roosting, and perching) that the area provides for such wildlife species; (b) the boundary of wetlands in the area and a description of the ecological functions and characteristics provided by those wetlands; (c) any prominent views from or across the site; (d) the pattern, species, and location of any significant native trees and other native site vegetation; (e) the bank, shoreline, and high water mark of any perennial stream or body of water on the site; (f) areas inhabited by or frequently used by Sensitive and Specially Valued Species; (g) special habitat features; (h) wildlife movement corridors; (i) the general ecological functions provided by the site and its features; (j) any issues regarding the timing of development-related activities stemming from the ecological character of the area; and ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY REDWOOD PARCEL LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO 2 ERO Resources Corporation (k) any measures needed to mitigate the projected adverse impacts of the development project on natural habitats and features. Study area The study area is a parcel north of the Cache la Poudre River between Redwood Street and Blue Spruce Drive, north of Conifer Street. The study area is bounded by residential development on the north and south, Redwood Street to the east, and light- industrial development to the west. The study area is in Section 1, Township 7 North, Range 69 West of the 6th Principal Meridian in Larimer County, Colorado (Figure 1). The UTM coordinates of the approximate center of the study area are zone 13N; 494184mE, 4495004mN. The latitude/longitude of the study area is 40.605824°N, 105.068748°W. Methods ERO visited the study area on September 29, 2014. Vegetation and wildlife habitat present in the study area were noted and representative photographs were taken. Wetlands within the study area were delineated using methods outlined in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual (Environmental Laboratory 1987) and Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Great Plains Region (Version 2.0) (Corps 2010). Vegetation The study area consists primarily of an upland lot, with a large pond in the western portion. The study area vegetation is characterized by disturbed grassland dominated by smooth brome (Bromus inermis), cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), and wheatgrass (Pascopyrum sp.), all nonnative species (Photo 1). No sensitive or rare plant communities were observed in the study area. The riparian area along the pond contains an overstory of plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera), crack willow (Salix fragilis), and peachleaf willow (Salix amygdaloides) (Photo 2) with an understory of Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) and smooth brome. Stands of narrowleaf cattails (Typha angustifolia) make up the wetlands in the study area. ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY REDWOOD PARCEL LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO 3 ERO Resources Corporation Federally Threatened, Endangered, and Candidate Species Potentially Affected by the Project Table 1 lists federally listed species potentially present in Larimer County or that could be affected by projects in Larimer County (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) 2014). The table includes the listing status and whether suitable habitat is present in the study area. Table 1. Federally listed threatened and endangered species potentially found in Larimer County or with potential to be affected by projects in Larimer County. Common Name Scientific Name Status* Habitat Suitable Habitat Present or Potential to be Affected Mammals Canada lynx Lynx canadensis T Climax boreal forest with a dense understory of thickets and windfalls No North American wolverine Gulo gulo luscus P Higher elevations with deep, persistent snow cover in spring No Preble’s meadow jumping mouse Zapus hudsonius preblei T Shrub riparian/wet meadows No Birds Greater sage grouse Centrocercus urophasianus C Sagebrush-dominated shrub steppe habitats No Interior least tern** Sterna antillarum athalassos E Sandy/pebble beaches on lakes, reservoirs, and rivers Depletions anticipated, but covered by programmat ic BO Mexican spotted owl Strix occidentalis T Closed canopy forests in steep canyons No Piping plover** Charadrius melodus T Sandy lakeshore beaches and river sandbars ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY REDWOOD PARCEL LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO 4 ERO Resources Corporation Common Name Scientific Name Status* Habitat Suitable Habitat Present or Potential to be Affected Fish Greenback cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki stomias T Cold, clear, gravel headwater streams and mountain lakes No Pallid sturgeon** Scaphirhynchus albus E Large, turbid, free-flowing rivers with a strong current and gravel or sandy substrate Depletions anticipated, but covered by programmat ic BO Insects Arapahoe snowfly Capnia arapahoe C Documented only in Young Gulch and Elkhorn Creek No Plants Colorado butterfly plant Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis T Subirrigated, alluvial soils on level floodplains and drainage bottoms between 5,000 and 6,400 feet in elevation No North Park phacelia Phacelia formosula E Known only from exposures of the Coalmont Formation at elevations from 7,940 to 8,260 feet No Ute ladies’-tresses orchid Spiranthes diluvialis T Moist to wet alluvial meadows, floodplains of perennial streams, and around springs and lakes below 6,500 feet in elevation ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY REDWOOD PARCEL LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO 5 ERO Resources Corporation new consumption of water that would increase the volume of treated municipal water provided by the City of Fort Collins, the project would likely result in depletions to the South Platte River system; therefore, the project would likely affect the Platte River species (interior least tern, piping plover, whooping crane, pallid sturgeon, and western prairie fringed orchid). The effects of depletions of changes in City of Fort Collins water supply would require consultation if there is a federal nexus associated with the project such as federal funding or permitting. Consultation would be undertaken through a programmatic process established as part of the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program. If there is no federal nexus with the project, no depletions consultation is necessary. Because of the association of Ute ladies’-tresses orchid (ULTO), Colorado butterfly plant (CBP), and Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (Preble’s) with wetland/riparian habitat along the Colorado Front Range, these species are discussed in greater detail below. ERO visited the study area on September 29, 2014 and determined that the study area does not fit the Service’s survey criteria for ULTO (Service 1992) for the following reasons: • Vegetation along the pond is dominated by dense stands of crack willow and cattails, two species not typically associated with ULTO. • Soils in the study area are heavy clay soils, rather than the sand and gravel deposits favored by ULTO. • The pond is not associated with a perennial tributary to the South Platte River. The Service has not established formal survey guidelines for CBP, but has indicated that areas similar to, and slightly drier than, ULTO habitat should be assessed. For the same reasons as described for ULTO, CBP habitat does not exist in the study area. ERO determined the study area does not contain suitable habitat for Preble’s based on the following: • The vegetation in the study area is not suitable Preble’s habitat. • The site is isolated from known populations of Preble’s or potential habitat. The study area is separated from the Cache la Poudre River by unsuitable ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY REDWOOD PARCEL LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO 6 ERO Resources Corporation habitat. The nearest known capture site is on the Cache la Poudre River at Watson Lake, more than 5 miles from the study area. • The study area is in an urban neighborhood and is generally surrounded by development. Other Wildlife Several waterfowl were observed during the 2014 site visit in and around the pond in the western portion of the study area, including great blue heron (Ardea herodias), Canada goose (Branta canadensis), and mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). The open water and the wetland vegetation found along the southern, western, and northern edges of the pond are suitable habitat for migratory waterfowl, particularly dabbling foragers. Waterfowl likely use the area for foraging and loafing when the pond is not frozen. There may be some nesting in the cattails or on the small islands in the pond, but the small size of the area and the proximity of development likely reduce the quality of nesting habitat. ERO does not consider the pond to be a concentration area for migratory or nesting waterfowl or shorebirds. The Fort Collins Natural Areas Program Wildlife Management Guidelines lists The Poudre River, south of Mulberry, as the main concentration area for wintering ducks in the area. The pond in the study area is too small and likely freezes over during wintertime, making it less attractive for concentrations of waterfowl or shorebirds. Urban-adapted wildlife such as red foxes, raccoons, skunks, and various rodents could use the study area as a movement corridor. Although not observed during the site visit, red-winged blackbirds often nest in cattail wetlands and likely nest in the cattail wetlands along the western edge of the study area. No raptor nests or other stick nests were observed in the trees along the pond during the site visit. Any wildlife using the pond, wetlands, or uplands in the study area have likely become adapted to human disturbance due to the prevalence of urban and light-industrial development already surrounding the study area. Wetlands and Other Waters ERO used U.S. Army Corps of Engineers methods to delineate wetlands and other waters in the study area on September 29, 2014. The pond within the study area has a small fringe of wetlands along its eastern border consisting of Baltic rush (Juncus balticus) and cottonwood (Photo 3). Dense stands of cattail wetlands are located along ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY REDWOOD PARCEL LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO 7 ERO Resources Corporation the southern, western, and northern boundaries of the pond (Photo 4; Figure 2). The water source of the pond is likely stormwater runoff from a drainage feature that outfalls into the northwest corner of the pond. Water was flowing during the site visit. The water flows south, out of the study area. The total area of wetlands in the study area is 0.33 acre. The total surface area of the pond in the study area is 2.65 acres. None of the wetland polygons in the pond, inside or outside of the study area, is greater than 1/3 acre. The pond and its wetlands would likely be considered not jurisdictional by the Corps under current regulations and guidance, however if any work is planned within the pond or its wetlands, ERO recommends requesting a jurisdictional determination from the Corps. Views The area surrounding the study area is already heavily developed with residential properties bordering the north, east, and south sides and light-industrial development to the west. The study area is visible from surrounding roads. The mountains to the west can be glimpsed through the cottonwood trees from the property. The pond is not visible from most of the study area because of topographic relief and vegetation. Impacts and Recommendations The FCHA proposes to construct multi-story affordable housing, including parking areas and community gardens in the study area. Section 3.4.1 of the Fort Collins Land Use Code calls for buffers of various widths around natural habitats and special features. The purpose of the buffer is to protect the ecological character and functions of the natural habitat. Disturbance or activities in buffers can be adjusted based on site- and project-specific conditions. In ERO’s best professional judgment, the ecological functions of the pond and its wetlands is reduced by the close proximity of surrounding development, the small size of the pond, and the availability of similar habitat in the region. The pond and its wetlands fall within the buffer zone standard of 50 feet for naturalized irrigation ponds and storm detention ponds. Given the moderate ecological functions of the habitat and the level of use by waterfowl, the buffer distance of 50 feet wide (Figure 2) is adequate, particularly if a number of measures are included in the project. ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY REDWOOD PARCEL LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO 8 ERO Resources Corporation To ensure adequacy of the 50-foot buffer width, ERO recommends constructing a visual screen of some type within the buffer. The screen could consist of a combination of fencing, vegetation, and topographic relief. The buffer should be vegetated with native species of trees, shrubs, and upland grasses. The purpose of the screening is to decrease the likelihood of human disturbance and light or noise pollution from cars and buildings. ERO also recommends siting the building envelopes as far from the buffer as possible by creating community gardens or a passive use area between the buffer and the buildings. Exterior lighting should be kept as low to the ground as possible and be configured to minimize light spill into the pond area. ERO does not recommend any eastern shoreline enhancements because of the likely adverse effects on the existing trees and shrubs along the shoreline. The exception to avoiding the east shoreline would be careful removal of Russian olive trees at the shoreline. With a 50-foot buffer, visual screening, and building envelopes as far away from the buffer as possible, the ecological character and functions of the pond and its wetlands are expected to be the same following construction of the project. Although wildlife habitat would be maintained over the long term, overall, wildlife use of the study area would likely decrease due to increased residential use of the area. Although not planned at this time, prior to any work within the pond or its wetlands, ERO recommends requesting a jurisdictional determination from the Corps. If the Corps finds the pond and its wetlands jurisdictional, a Section 404 permit would be required. If no work is planned in these areas, or the Corps finds these areas not jurisdictional, no further action would be necessary. If vegetation- or land-clearing activities occur during the nesting season for migratory birds, migratory birds or their nests or eggs could potentially be disturbed. ERO recommends that vegetation removal occur outside of the active breeding season, which is typically between March and August, depending on the species. If vegetation removal must occur during nesting season, the site should be surveyed for active nests by a qualified and experienced biologist. ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY REDWOOD PARCEL LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO 9 ERO Resources Corporation References Environmental Laboratory. 1987. Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual, Technical Report 7-87-1, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station. Vicksburg, MS. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) - Research and Development Center. 2010. Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Great Plains Region (Version 2.0) Prepared for Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Washington, DC 20314-1000. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service). 1992. Interim Survey Guidelines for Spiranthes diluvialis (Ute ladies’-tresses orchid). November 23. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service). 2014. Endangered, Threatened, Proposed and Candidate Species, Colorado Counties. Available at: http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/wizard/chooseLocation!prepare.action. FIGURES Project Area Prepared File: 6009 for: Figure JVA, 1.Inc.mxd (GS) ± October 17, 2014 Figure Vicinity 1 Map FCHA Redwood Property Ecological Characterization Study Portions of this document include intellectual property of ESRI and its licensors and are used herein under license. Copyright © 2013 ESRI and its licensors. All rights reserved. 0 750 1,500 Feet Location Path: P:\6000 Projects\6009 JVA FCHA Redwood Property Phase I - NRA\Maps\6009 Figure 1.mxd Section 1, T7N, R69W; 6th PM UTM NAD 83: Zone 13N; 494184mE, 4495004mN Latitude, Longitude: 40.605824°N, 105.068748°W USGS Fort Collins, CO Quadrangle Larimer County, Colorado ! ! Redwood Street Nokomis Court Concrete Debris Concrete Debris UDpisltaunrdbed Grassland Upland Vegetated Swale 0.WetlandsFringe 0177 Acre Total DP2 DP1 2.6453 Pond Acres 0.Wetland2111 Acre 0.Wetland2101 Acre 0.Wetland1636 Acre 0.Wetland1164 Acre 0.Wetland0626 Acre 0.Wetland0312 Acre 0.Wetland0036 Acre 0.Wetland0010 Acre 0.Wetland0005 Acre Prepared File: 6009 for: Figure JVA, 2 Inc.Exist Cond and Buffer.mxd (GS) ± October 28, 2014 Figure Existing 2 Conditions and Recommended 50-Foot Buffer FCHA Redwood Property Ecological Characterization Study Portions of this document include intellectual property of ESRI and its licensors and are used herein under license. Copyright © 2013 ESRI and its licensors. All rights reserved. 0 60 120 Feet P ath: P:\6000 Projects\6009 JVA FCHA Redwood Property Phase I - NRA\Maps\6009 Figure 2 Exist Cond and Buffer.mxd Image Source: Microsoft©, April 28, 2011 ! Data Point Open Water Wetland Recommended 50-Foot Buffer Project Area Boundary PHOTOS PHOTO LOG REDWOOD PARCEL SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 Photo 1 - An overview of the eastern portion of the study area dominated by nonnative grasses. View is to the northwest. Photo 2 - A view of the overstory along the eastern edge of the pond. View is to the west. PHOTO LOG REDWOOD PARCEL SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 Photo 3 - The eastern edge of the pond. View is to the north. Photo 4 - A view of the cattail wetlands on the north and west side of the pond. View is to the northwest. No Western prairie fringed orchid** Platanthera praeclara T Moist to wet prairies and meadows Depletions anticipated, but covered by programmat ic BO *T = Federally Threatened Species, E = Federally Endangered Species, P =Federally Proposed Species, C = Candidate Species. **Water depletions in the South Platte River may affect the species and/or critical habitat in downstream reaches in other counties or states. Source: Service 2014. The study area does not contain suitable habitat for Canada lynx, North American wolverine, greater sage grouse, Mexican spotted owl, greenback cutthroat trout, Arapahoe snowfly, or North Park phacelia. Because the development would result in Depletions anticipated, but covered by programmat ic BO Whooping crane** Grus americana E Mudflats around reservoirs and in agricultural areas Depletions anticipated, but covered by programmat ic BO