Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutOLD TOWN NORTH, 3RD FILING - PDP - PDP160017 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTEcological Characterization Study Block 6 Property Prepared for: Greeley Associates, LLC 2775 Iris Avenue Boulder, CO 80304 Prepared by: Wildland Consultants, Inc. 1001 Jefferson Drive Berthoud, Colorado 80513 April 2016 Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction ………………………………………………………………….. 1 2.0 Vegetation and Wetlands ……………………………………………………. 1 2.1 Rare Plant Species …………………………………………………………… 2 3.0 Wildlife Description …………………………………………………………. 2 3.1 Species and Habitats …………………………………………………………. 2 3.2 Wildlife Corridors ……………………………………………………………. 3 3.3 Rare Wildlife Species ………………………………………………………… 3 4.0 Views …………………………………………………………………………. 3 5.0 Project Impacts ………………………………………………………………. 3 6.0 Conclusions, Proposed Mitigation ……………………………………………. 4 7.0 References …………………………………………………………………….. 5 Attachment A- Site Photographs, Figures 1 Natural Habitat and Features Map, Figure 2 Site Inventory Map 1 Ecological Characterization Study – Block 6 Property 1.0 Introduction The Block 6 Property is located in north Fort Collins, Colorado. The project includes approximately 5.88 acres of land and it part of the Old Town North subdivision. The site is bounded on the north by Vine Drive, on the south by Osiander Street, on the east by Redwood Street and on the west by Blondel Street. The development site is surrounded by existing residential. Current land uses on the site includes vacant land. A Site Inventory Map, and Natural Areas and Features Map are provided in Attachment A. The Fort Collins Land Use Code (Section 3.4.1) recommends that an Ecological Characterization Study be completed for projects that are within 500 feet of any natural habitat or feature mapped on the Natural Habitats and Features Inventory Map. There are several natural habitats and features within 500 feet of the project. The Ecological Characterization study is also recommended if the site includes areas of unique plant life or wildlife habitat (City of Fort Collins, 2016). A riparian forest area is mapped along the north edge of the site on the Natural Habitats and Features Inventory Map (City of Fort Collins 2016). Note: the majority of the riparian forest area has been removed by recent development activities (Vine Drive, new stormwater swale, new development to the north). A few cottonwood trees are all that remains of this mapped Natural Habitat. The Ecological Characterization study is also recommended if the site includes areas of unique plant life or wildlife habitat (City of Fort Collins, 2016). The 5.88 acre development site contains an active black-tailed prairie dog colony, this colony used to extend to the north but much of it has been removed by development activities. Attachment A, Figures 1, Natural Areas and Features Maps shows mapped natural habitats and natural areas near the project (City of Fort Collins 2016). Attachment A, Figure 2 includes the Site Inventory Map showing vegetation, wetlands, and wildlife habitat areas. The Ecological Characterization study was completed by Mr. Eric Berg of Wildland Consultants, Inc. (WCI). Mr. Berg is a Certified Wildlife Biologist and Certified Professional Wetland Scientist. 2.0 Vegetation and Wetland Description The site supports an area of seeded pasture. Dominant plants include seeded species like smooth brome grass (Bromus inermis), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), crested wheatgrass (Agropryon cristatum) and a few other species (dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), flannel mullen (Verbascum spp.), curly dock (Rumex spp.)) (Attachment A Photos). The site does not support a native plant community. 2 There are 8-9 small trees spread over the site (Siberian elm). A narrow riparian forest area was mapped on the site (City of Fort Collins 2016). Most of this has been removed by previous construction (stormwater swale, Vine Drive, adjacent subdivision). Four to five medium sized plains cottonwood trees still remain along a small drainage that has been surrounded by fill materials (Attachment A, Photo 5). National Wetland Inventory (NWI) mapping does not show any wetlands within the development boundaries (NWI 2016). Wetlands were delineated on the site in 2013 (Wildland Consultants, Inc. 2013). However, these have all been removed by construction of Vine Drive and the stormwater swale running along the north site boundary (Attachment A, Photo 1). Currently there are no wetlands on the site. 2.1 Rare Plant Species Two Federally listed plant species (Ute ladies’ tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis) and Colorado butterfly plant (Guara neomexicana)) occur in the region. The orchid has been documented in areas with seasonally wet soils and wet meadows near springs, lakes, or perennial streams and their associated flood plains below 6,500 feet above sea level in the South Platte River Drainage (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1992). The Colorado butterfly plant typically grows on sub-irrigated alluvial soils in floodplains and drainage bottoms and in depressions along slow-moving streams (Fertig 2000, O’Kane 1988). Potential habitat for these species is no longer present on the site. In addition, there are no known populations of these plants located nearby within the City of Fort Collins. The site does not support a native plant community. 3.0 Wildlife Description 3.1 Species and Habitat The project area provides habitat to wildlife species adapted to pasture/grasslands, and urban areas. Wildlife species likely to use the area periodically include: red fox, raccoon, striped skunk; a variety of small mammals (deer mouse, meadow vole, house mouse, cottontail rabbit); a variety of birds (meadow lark, mourning dove, American robin, common grackle, common flicker, house finch, English sparrow, black-billed magpie, starling, American kestrel, great horned owl and many others); a few reptiles (western terrestrial garter snake, gopher snake) and amphibians (tiger salamander, plains spadefoot toad) (Andrews and Righter 1994, Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife 2016, Fitzgerald et al. 1998, Hammerson 1999). The site does not include any mapped key or important wildlife habitats (Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife 2016). Wildlife species or signs of species observed on or adjacent to the site during an April 2016 field reconnaissance included: English sparrow, common flicker, meadow lark, American robin, starling, magpie, mourning dove, Eurasian collared dove, American kestrel, house mouse, and black-tailed prairie dog. 3 The development site supports a black-tailed prairie dog colony (Attachment A, Photo 2,3; Figure 2). This colony is a remnant of a large colony that occurred to the north and adjacent to the site but was removed by development activities. There are no known raptor nests on the development site or adjacent areas. The black-tailed prairie dog colony provides marginal habitat to the burrowing owl. Because the colony is small and surrounded by intense human development and use by burrowing owls is less likely than in a large colony without human disturbance. 3.2 Wildlife Corridors There are no obvious wildlife movement corridors in the area. Raccoons, skunks and other urban adapted species may use the newly constructed stormwater drainage in the future to move through the area. 3.3 Rare Wildlife Species The site does not provide potential habitat to any rare wildlife species. Preferred habitat for the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse includes thick shrubby riparian habitat along area streams and rivers (Armstrong et al. 1997). The nearest occupied habitat for the Preble’s mouse is along the Cache la Poudre River upstream of LaPorte. The site does not provide the thick riparian habitat needed by the Preble’s mouse. Bald eagles (delisted but protected by the Bald Eagle Protection Act) may be present foraging in the general area during the winter periods. The area is mapped as part of overall bald eagle winter range (Colorado Division of Wildlife 2016). Bald eagles do forage in large prairie dog colonies in the region. However, the prairie dog colony on this site is now small and the surrounding area is heavily developed, the value of the prairie dog colony to foraging raptors has diminished. 4.0 Views The area surrounding the site is already heavily developed with commercial and residential properties bordering all sides of the development. The proposed new housing units will be visible from adjacent developments . 5.0 Project Impacts Project construction would result in the conversion of approximately 5.88 acres of seeded grassland/pasture to urban uses. Wetlands and Riparian Zones- No impacts to wetlands or riparian habitat would occur with construction. Previously mapped wetlands and riparian habitat on the site have been removed by previous construction (stormwater swale, new Vine Drive, adjacent subdivision). 4 Wildlife- Project construction would result in the conversion of approximately 5.88 acres of seeded grassland/pasture to urban uses. The black-tailed prairie dog colony on the site would be removed prior to construction. Urban adapted wildlife species would be expected to continue to use the area. Species more sensitive to human disturbance (raptors for example) may use the area with less frequency. However, there is already extensive human use in the area. No impacts to regional wildlife movement in Fort Collins are anticipated with project construction. Rare Species- The project is not expected to impact any Federally listed, or special status wildlife or plant species. The site provides poor potential habitat to the Federally listed Preble’s meadow jumping mouse. Impacts are not expected to occur to the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse with project construction. No impacts to the Ute ladies’ tresses orchid and Colorado butterfly plant are expected to occur with project construction. 6.0 Conclusion, Proposed Mitigation Project construction would result in the conversion of approximately 5.88 acres of seeded grassland/pasture to urban uses. The small remnant black-tailed prairie dog colony would be removed. The developer proposes the following general mitigation measures for the project:  A burrowing owl survey (following Colorado Parks and Wildlife Protocol) will be completed prior to any prairie dog control activities and site grading of the prairie dog colony if activities occur during the period of burrowing owl activity (March 15 to October 31). If nesting burrowing owls are located consultation with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife and City of Fort Collins would be completed.  Black-tailed prairie dog control would be completed according to requirements of Section 4 of the Fort Collins City Code. Removal methods would also meet Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife requirements. Removal would be completed by a licensed and approved contractor. 5 7.0 References Andrews, R. and R. Righter. 1992. Colorado Birds. Museum of Natural History, Denver, CO. 442pp. Armstrong, D.M., M.E. Bakeman, N.W. Clippinger, A. Deans, M. Marguiles, C.A. Meaney, C. Miller, M. O’Shea-Stone, T.R. Ryon, and M. Sanders. 1987. Report on Habitat Findings of the Preble’s Meadow Jumping Mouse. Presented to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Colorado Division of Wildlife. City of Fort Collins. 2016. City of Fort Collins Natural Habitats & Features Inventory Map. GIS Data City of Fort Collins. 2016. City Code Section 3.4.1. Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife. 2016. GIS Data. Fertig, W. 2000. Status Review of the Colorado butterfly plant (Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis). Report prepared for the Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Wyoming Game and Fish Department by the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, Laramie, WY. Fitzgerald, J.P., C.A. Meaney, D.M. Armstrong. 1994. Mammals of Colorado. Denver Museum of Natural History and University Press of Colorado. 467pp. Hammerson, G.A. 1999. Amphibians and Reptiles in Colorado. Colorado Division of Wildlife. Denver, CO. 130pp. National Wetland Inventory Mapping. 2016. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NWI GIS Data. O’Kane, S.L. 1988. Colorado’s rare flora. Great Basin Naturalist 48(4):434-484. Spackman, S., B. Jennings, J. Coles, C. Dawson, M. Minton, A. Kratz, and C. Spurries. 1997. Colorado Rare Plant Field Guide. Colorado Natural Heritage Program. Wildland Consultants, Inc. 2013. Wetland Delineation, Aspen Heights Development. 6 Attachment A Site Photographs, Figures 1 Natural Habitats and Features Map, Figure 2 Site Inventory Map Photo 1. View to the east along the north site boundary, new stormwater swale, Vine Drive. Photo 2. View to the east across the site from Blondel Street. 7 Photo 3. View to north across the center of the site, black-tailed prairie dog colony, seeded grasses, scattered Siberian elm trees. Photo 4. View to the northeast across the east site. 8 Photo 5. View to the west across the site, small stand of cottonwoods are all that remains of a mapped riparian forest on the site.