HomeMy WebLinkAboutRAW URTH DESIGNS - FDP - FDP160001 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - WILDLIFE DOCUMENTSBlack-Tailed Prairie Dog Colony Removal Plan- Raw Urth
Designs Project
Prepared For:
Raw Urth Designs
P.O. Box 369
Bellevue, CO 80512
Prepared By:
Wildland Consultants, Inc.
1001 Jefferson Drive
Berthoud, CO 80513
September 2014
1.0 Introduction
Wildland Consultants, Inc. (WCI) completed a field review of the Raw Urth
Designs site on September 20, 2014. The 0.93 acre site is located just north of
Conifer Street and just west of Red Cedar Street The site was likely used forr rr
agriculture in the past and is currently an urban vacant lot. The site supports
seeded pasture grasses (smooth brome and a few other species) and some weedy
plants.
The site is located just to the northeast of the Aspen Heights Development. The
Aspen Heights Development has been graded and is currently under construction.
2.0 Black-tailed Prairie Dog Control
The development site supports an active black-tailed prairie dog colony. This
colony used to extend to the south off of the Raw Urth development site and was
greater than 50 acres in size. Much of the colony has been removed as part of the
Aspen Heights Development. Currently the colony extends to the east in a
narrow strip north of Conifer Street but the total size of the colony has been
drastically reduced in size.
The prairie dog colony provides a potential nesting area for burrowing owls (no
burrowing owls were observed during the September 2014 field reconnaissance).
The prairie dog colony also provides foraging habitat to a variety of raptors.
However, the value of the colony as potential nesting habitat for burrowing owls
and as raptor foraging habitat has been much reduced because of colony removal
for the Aspen Heights Development. Because of the small size of the Raw Urth
site, its location adjacent to Conifer Street and extensive human use, the value of
the site to raptors is limited.
Project construction would result in the removal of the prairie dog colony on the
site. Removal methods will by approved methods as set forth in Chapter 4 of the
Fort Collins City Code. Removal methods will also meet Colorado Division of
Parks and Wildlife Requirements. Removal will be completed by a licensed and
approved contractor. If the removal is scheduled for the period of burrowing owl
activity (March 15 to October 31) a burrowing owl survey will be completed
immediately prior to prairie dog control. If burrowing owls are present the
Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife would be consulted and control efforts
would be delayed. These prairie dog control methods are consistent with those
used on the adjacent Aspen Heights Development.
Photo 1. View across site to North East