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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOUTHEAST FORT COLLINS COMMUNITY PARK - PDP - PDP140014 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT (3)THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES HABITAT ASSESSMENT CITY OF FORT COLLINS SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY PARK LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO Prepared for— Civitas, Inc. 1200 Bannock Street Denver, Colorado 80204 Prepared by— ERO Resources Corporation 1842 Clarkson Street Denver, Colorado 80218 (303) 830-1188 ERO Project #5572 February 26, 2014 i ERO Resources Corporation CONTENTS Introduction ..........................................................................................................................1 Project Area .........................................................................................................................1 Ecological and Other Features of the Project Area ..............................................................2 Project Description ...............................................................................................................2 Federally Threatened, Endangered, and Candidate Species Potentially Affected by the Project ..................................................................................................................................2 Rationale for Excluding the Project Area as Ute Ladies’-tresses Orchid Habitat ............................................................................................................................5 Rationale for Excluding the Project Area as Colorado Butterfly Plant Habitat ............5 Rationale for Excluding the Project Area as Potential Preble’s Habitat ........................5 Conclusions ..........................................................................................................................5 Qualifications of Surveyor .............................................................................................6 References ............................................................................................................................6 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 PHOTOS Photo Log 1 ERO Resources Corporation THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES HABITAT ASSESSMENT CITY OF FORT COLLINS SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY PARK LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO FEBRUARY 26, 2014 Introduction Civitas, Inc. (Civitas), on behalf of the City of Fort Collins (City), retained ERO Resources Corporation (ERO) to conduct an assessment of threatened and endangered (T&E) species habitat at the site of the proposed Southeast Community Park (project area). The City is proposing to construct a new park in the project area that will include ball fields, multipurpose sports fields, a playground, a dog park, a BMX course, pedestrian bridges, community gardens, and other amenities. The City is also proposing to conduct a revegetation and bank stabilization project on McClelland Creek, a small perennial stream flowing through the project area. Federal T&E species are protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The purpose of this habitat assessment is to determine the presence or absence of habitat for T&E species within or adjacent to the project area and, if habitat is present, to determine the potential effects of the proposed project on those species. This habitat assessment includes a description of the proposed project, a description of the existing conditions in the project area, and an analysis of potential project-related impacts on T&E species. Project Area The project area is a parcel owned by the City just south of Fossil Ridge High School. The project area is bounded by Ketcher Road to the south, Lady Moon Road to the east, Saber Cat Drive to the north, and Zeigler Road to the west. The project area is in Section 4, Township 6 North, Range 68 West of the 6th Principal Meridian in Larimer County, Colorado (Figure 1). The UTM coordinates of the approximate center of the project area are 498654mE, 4484468mN, Zone 13. The latitude/longitude of the project area is 40.510927°N/105.015887°W. THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES HABITAT ASSESSMENT CITY OF FORT COLLINS – SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY PARK LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO 2 ERO Resources Corporation Ecological and Other Features of the Project Area The project area contains an existing baseball/softball field and a BMX track on the north side of McClelland Creek. The project area vegetation is generally disturbed grassland dominated by smooth brome (Bromus inermis). The vegetation along McClelland Creek is primarily a dense stand of reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), with a stand of cattail (Typha latifolia) at the eastern end of the project area just upstream of Lady Moon Road (Photos 1 through 4). Scattered crack willow (Salix fragilis) and cottonwood trees (Populus deltoides) are also present along the creek channel. The stream banks are downcut and unstable, with erosion undercutting the banks in places. The project area is heavily used for recreation. In addition to the existing ball field and BMX track, volunteer trails are present along the stream banks, and the trails are used during nice weather for walking, jogging, and dog walking by residents of nearby neighborhoods. Project Description The City proposes to construct a new baseball/softball field, multipurpose fields, a new BMX course, a dog park, community gardens, a playground, a parking lot, and other amenities in the project area. Three pedestrian/bicycle bridges would be constructed across the creek. Improvements to McClelland Creek would include bank stabilization, revegetation, and drop structures. Extensive grading would be required to construct the park. Most vegetation would be removed from the project area during construction, with the exception of many of the large trees along the creek, which would be preserved where possible. 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 project area. THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES HABITAT ASSESSMENT CITY OF FORT COLLINS – SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY PARK LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO 3 ERO Resources Corporation 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 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 No depletions anticipated Mexican spotted owl Strix occidentalis T Closed canopy forests in steep canyons No Piping plover** Charadrius melodus T Sandy lakeshore beaches and river sandbars No depletions anticipated Whooping crane** Grus americana E Mudflats around reservoirs and in agricultural areas No depletions anticipated Fish Greenback cutthroat trout THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES HABITAT ASSESSMENT CITY OF FORT COLLINS – SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY PARK LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO 4 ERO Resources Corporation Common Name Scientific Name Status* Habitat Suitable Habitat Present 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 No Western prairie fringed orchid** Platanthera praeclara T Moist to wet prairies and meadows No depletions anticipated *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 project 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. The project would not result in depletions to the South Platte River system; therefore, the project would not affect the Platte River species (interior least tern, piping plover, whooping crane, pallid sturgeon, and western prairie fringed orchid). 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 THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES HABITAT ASSESSMENT CITY OF FORT COLLINS – SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY PARK LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO 5 ERO Resources Corporation Rationale for Excluding the Project Area as Ute Ladies’-tresses Orchid Habitat ERO visited the project area on October 1, 2013 and determined that the project area does not fit the Service’s survey criteria for ULTO (Service 1992) for the following reasons:  Vegetation along McClelland Creek is dominated by dense stands of reed canarygrass and cattails, two species not typically associated with ULTO.  Soils in the project area are heavy clay soils, rather than the sand and gravel deposits favored by ULTO. Rationale for Excluding the Project Area as Colorado Butterfly Plant Habitat 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 project area. Rationale for Excluding the Project Area as Potential Preble’s Habitat ERO determined the project area does not contain suitable habitat for Preble’s based on the following:  The site lacks the structured tree and shrub habitat typically associated with Preble’s.  Trapping surveys in better habitat on Fossil Creek at Highway 392 (Tiglas 2002) and the Cache la Poudre River downstream from the project area (Peterson 2004; MDG, Inc. 2000) failed to capture any Preble’s. Numerous trapping surveys on the Poudre River in Fort Collins have not captured Preble’s.  The site is isolated from known populations of Preble’s or potential habitat. The project area is separated from the Cache la Poudre River by unsuitable habitat and Fossil Creek Reservoir. The nearest known capture site is on the Cache la Poudre River at Watson Lake, more than 12 miles from the project area.  The project area is in an urban neighborhood and is generally surrounded by development. Conclusions Because of a lack of habitat in the project area and because the project would not result in depletions to the South Platte River system, the project would have no effect on federally listed threatened, endangered, proposed, and candidate species. Based on this THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES HABITAT ASSESSMENT CITY OF FORT COLLINS – SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY PARK LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO 6 ERO Resources Corporation habitat assessment, ERO, on behalf of Civitas and the City, requests the Service confirm no further consultation under the ESA is required. After review of this information, ERO would appreciate a written determination of this request. Qualifications of Surveyor Qualifications of Steve Butler have been previously submitted to the Service and are available upon request. Steve has a Master of Environmental Management degree from Duke University, School of the Environment and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Indiana University. He has experience conducting trapping surveys for Preble’s and has experience identifying and handling Preble’s in the field since 1996. Steve also has experience conducting surveys for ULTO and CBP and has observed both species in the field. References MDG, Inc. 2000. Trapping survey results submitted to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the Poudre River Trail from County Line Road to Highway 392. Peterson, J. 2004. Trapping survey results submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the Cache la Poudre River at Jacoby Trail. Tiglas, D. 2002. Trapping survey results submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for Fossil Creek at Highway 392. 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. SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY PARK PHOTO LOG OCTOBER 1, 2013 Photo 1 - McClelland Creek at proposed Southeast Community Park. View is to the west. Photo 2 - McClelland Creek at proposed Southeast Community Park. View is to the east. SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY PARK PHOTO LOG OCTOBER 1, 2013 Photo 3 - McClelland Creek at proposed Southeast Community Park. View is to the west. Photo 4 - McClelland Creek at proposed Southeast Community Park. View is to the east. Project Area Prepared for: City of Fort Collins File: 5572 Figure 1.mxd [dlH] October 24, 2013 Figure 1 Vicinity Map Southeast Community Park 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. COLORADO Location Section 4, T6N, R68W; 6th PM UTM NAD 83: Zone 13N; 498654mE, 4484468mN Latitude, Longitude: 40.510927°N, 105.015887°W USGS Fort Collins, CO Quadrangle Larimer County, Colorado 01,750500 ± feet Path: P:\5500 Projects\5572 Southeast Community Park Ft Collins\Maps\5572 Figure 1.mxd greater detail below. 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 No depletions anticipated