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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNTRY CLUB RESERVE - PDP - PDP170008 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTApril 19, 2016 Jim Birdsall The Birdsall Group 444 Mountain Avenue Berthoud, CO 80513 RE: Updated Ecological Characterization Study (ECS) Letter Report for the Country Club Reserve Development Parcel Jim: As requested by Rebecca Everette with the City of Fort Collins, this letter ECS report is submitted to provide an update on environmental conditions from the previous ECS report prepared for the property in 2006. This report is submitted to satisfy the requirements of Section 3.4.1 of the Land Use Code of the City of Fort Collins regarding the submittal of an ECS report for proposed development projects. The Country Club Reserve project site is located at the southwest corner of the Douglas Road and Turnberry Road intersection and is comprised of approximately 24 acres in the Northeast ¼ of Section 30 (T. 8 N. R. 68 W.) in northeast Fort Collins, Colorado. The project area location is depicted on Figure 1. Ecological characteristics of the property were reviewed and evaluated on April 13, 2016. The field survey was conducted to characterize existing wildlife habitats, as well as identify any unique or sensitive natural resource features. Prior to the initiation of the field survey, Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly SCS) soils mapping (Soil Survey of Larimer County Area, Colorado) was reviewed to determine if any known hydric (wetland) or highly erosive soil mapping units are located on the property. Observations recorded during the field evaluation included: major vegetation communities / wildlife habitats present within the property; dominant vegetation associated with each community / habitat; unique habitat features; and observations of wildlife species and/or definitive sign. Photographs showing representative views of existing habitats were also taken to document site conditions. Wildlife presence and habitat use was based on on-site observations and habitat presence in conjunction with the known habitat requirements of potential wildlife species. Existing habitats were also evaluated regarding their ability to support populations of threatened, endangered, and other sensitive plant and wildlife species. A delineation of wetland and open water boundaries within the project area was also completed on April 13, 2016. The field wetland delineation and sampling work were completed using the methods and techniques specified for "routine on-site delineations" in the publication, Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual (USACOE 1987), and supplemented by the document, Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Great Plains Region, Version 2.0 (USACOE 2010). The following provides a summary of ecological information required by Fort Collins Land Use Code under 3.4.1 (D) (1) items (a) through (k). ECOLOGICAL STUDY CHARACTERIZATION CHECKLIST (a & i) For the most part the ecological setting of the project area has not changed since the 2006 ECS Report (Crockett 2006) was prepared. The project area is dominated almost entirely by non-native, pasture grass species (see Photo 1), and habitat conditions and wildlife use of the area remain essentially the same but for a few exceptions. The 2006 ECS Report identifies Longmont clay, 0 to 3% slopes as an upland soil. This is incorrect. The NRCS currently identifies this soil-mapping unit as a hydric (wetland) soil. It’s distribution in the project area corresponds generally with the areas mapped as non-native grassland (intermediate wheatgrass, Thinopyrum intermedium, dominated) and as the north-central wetland (see Figure 1), which was the only J. Birdsall 4/19/2016 Page 2 of 5 wetland identified in the Longmont clay mapping unit. The remainder of this soil unit supports upland grassland dominated by intermediate wheatgrass and smooth brome (Bromus inermis) with no indicators of wetland vegetation, soils or hydrology aside from the small pond area (see Figure 1, and Section b). The other exception is that the occupied red-tailed hawk nest identified in the 2006 Hawk Memos for the property has been rebuilt by black-billed magpies and was occupied by nesting magpies at the time of the April 2016 survey (see Figure 1 and Photo 2). Magpies were tending another partial nest in a nearby cottonwood tree at the time of the field survey (see Figure 1). European starlings were also observed and presumed nesting in cavities in this stand of cottonwoods. One other unoccupied magpie nest was found in a Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila) in the abandoned corral area (see Figure 1). Black-billed magpie is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act; European starling is not. (b) The small cattail wetland at the northeast property corner and the narrow excavated pond in the south- central portion of the property (see Figure 1) remain as described in the 2006 ECS Report. The pond must maintain standing water at the same level for most of the year since no vegetated wetland development has occurred around the pond perimeter (Photo 3). No obvious inflow source to the pond was observed in the field, and it was assumed to be supported by a spring or high water table. Section 3.4.1 of the Land Use Code calls for a 50-foot buffer for naturalized ponds. One other wetland area was found and mapped during the April 2016 field survey (see Figure 1 and wetland map exhibit). This wetland was not discussed in the 2006 ECS Report so it may have developed in the 10 years since the 2006 report was prepared. This wetland is dominated solely by herbaceous species, with three- square (Schoenoplectus pungens - OBL), mountain rush (Juncus arcticus - FACW), and foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum - FACW) being dominant (Photo 4). Adjacent upland grasslands are dominated by intermediate wheatgrass (UPL), smooth brome (Bromus inermis - UPL) and common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale - FACU). The upland/wetland boundary was defined by a shift in dominance from these three upland species to foxtail barley. Total acreage calculated for this wetland was calculated at 1.0 acre using a hand-held GPS unit. All wetlands on the property are isolated with no hydrologic or continuous wetland connection to other Waters of the U.S. and it is assumed they would not be classified as Jurisdictional by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Wetlands provide the only important habitat in the project area since wetlands typically support a greater diversity of plants and animals than that found in adjacent dryland habitats in urban areas. Wildlife species from adjacent upland habitats will also rely on wetland habitats for obtaining food, cover, and water on a regular or intermittent basis. Wetlands and the small pond aquatic habitat also provide foraging and resting habitat for waterfowl and other urban-adapted waterbirds. Other species potentially present in wetland habitat and aquatic habitat in the project area include Woodhouse’s toad, chorus frog, and wandering terrestrial garter snake. Section 3.4.1 of the Fort Collins Land Use Code calls for a 100-foot no development buffer for wetlands greater than 0.3 acre without significant use by shorebirds and/or waterfowl. Based on the dominance of only two herbaceous species, a lack of taller herbaceous or woody cover, and open water being restricted a small pond without adjacent wetlands, project area wetlands are unlikely to receive significant shorebird or waterfowl use so a 100-foot buffer would apply to the one wetland area greater than 0.3 acre. (c) The project area does not provide any views of significant or prominent landscape features. (d) As indicated in the 2006 ECS Report the project area is dominated by non-native pasture grasses and supports little native vegetation. Woody vegetation is restricted to a few native eastern cottonwoods (Populus deltoides) and non-native crack willows (Salix fragilis), Siberian elms and Russian olives (Elaeagnus angustifolia). Most of the cottonwoods, willows, and Siberian elm trees are in poor condition. The City Forester will need to evaluate the health of native and non-native trees greater than 6 inches in diameter at breast height (dbh) to determine their significance status and mitigation requirements for trees to be removed. J. Birdsall 4/19/2016 Page 3 of 5 (e) There are no natural drainages on or within 500 feet of the project area. Irrigation feeder ditches on the property appear to have been abandoned. (f) The 2006 ECS Report correctly assessed there is no suitable habitat for threatened, endangered, or other sensitive species in the project area. (g) Past removal of native habitat has eliminated the potential for any special habitat features on the property other than the existing wetlands, the small pond, and trees used for nesting. (h) There are no natural features, drainages, or ditches on the property that could be used as wildlife movement corridors. Existing small, feeder irrigation ditches have been abandoned and terminate on the property. They also provide no additional cover beyond the current grass cover on each side of the ditches. (j) There is only one issue regarding the timing of property development and ecological features or wildlife use of the project area. If the development proposal includes removal of any trees on the property or if construction occurs near an occupied bird nest during the songbird/raptor nesting season (February through July), these activities could result in the loss or abandonment of a nest and would be in violation of the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. (k) Since the upland portions of the project area have been converted from native habitats to non-native grassland and native/non-native grasslands, the only sensitive habitats potentially affected by project development would be wetlands and the small pond. City imposed buffer setbacks would protect these features. If buffer setbacks cannot be maintained, then the City will likely require implementation of additional habitat mitigation. Since perennial ponds are relatively rare along the Front Range it is recommended that native shrubs and trees be planted in the pond buffer zone to further enhance its value for use by a variety of wildlife species. This mitigation recommendation would also apply to the buffer zone for the north-central wetland. No mitigation plantings are recommended for the small, cattail wetland at the northeast property corner since this wetland is very small and is abutted on two sides by existing roadways. Any effort to enhance wildlife habitat at this wetland site would likely increase the risk of automobile/wildlife collisions. Removal of trees classified as significant would need to be mitigated with replacement trees, as determined by the City Forester based on the Land Use Code. Additional mitigation plantings would also need to be made for loss of non-significant and nuisance trees providing wildlife habitat value. Because tree removal or construction near trees during the nesting season could result in the loss or abandonment of a nest, it is recommended that tree removal or construction near raptor or songbird nests occur outside of the nesting season (February 1 – July 31), or trees on or near the project area be surveyed to ensure lack of nesting prior to removal or construction activities during the nesting season. This mitigation recommendation would preclude the possible incidental take or disturbance of active nests. One final mitigation recommendation is based on Article 3.2.4(D)(6) in the City of Fort Collins Land Use Code that requires protection of natural areas and natural features from light spillage from off site sources. Therefore, intensity of night lighting from the sides of residential structures facing open space and wetland and pond buffer zones should be shielded or directed to preclude the intrusion of artificial nighttime light into these areas. J. Birdsall 4/19/2016 Page 4 of 5 This concludes Cedar Creek Associates, Inc.’s evaluation of the Harmony 23 project area. If you have any questions or require additional information regarding my evaluation, please give me a call. Sincerely, INC. T. Michael Phelan Principal Senior Wildlife Biologist attachments: Figure 1, Habitat Mapping for the Country Club Reserve Development Parcel, Photos 1-4, Wetland Data Sheets, Wetland Exhibit Map