HomeMy WebLinkAboutSTREETS PARK - BASIC DEVELOPMENT REVIEW - BDR180010 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTFebruary 17, 2018
Craig Kisling
Park Planning, City of Fort Collins
215 North Mason Street
Fort Collins, CO 80524
RE: Ecological Characterization Study (ECS) Letter Report for the Streets Park Project Area, Fort Collins,
Colorado
Craig:
This report is submitted to satisfy the requirements of Section 3.4.1 of the Land Use Code of the City of Fort
Collins (City) regarding the submittal of an ECS Report for proposed development projects. The Streets Park
project area is located east of the City’s existing East Vine Streets Facility, south of East Vine Drive and west of
North Lemay Avenue in the northeast ¼ of the northeast ¼ of Section 12 (Township 7 North, Range 68 West) in
Fort Collins, Colorado (see attached Figure 1). Ecological characteristics of the property were reviewed in the
field on February 14, 2018.
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 (NRCS) soils mapping (http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx) was reviewed to
determine if any known hydric (wetland) 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.
The following provides a summary of information required by Fort Collins Land Use Code under 3.4.1 (D) (1)
items (a) through (k).
ECOLOGICAL STUDY CHARACTERIZATION CHECKLIST
(a & j) Existing habitats on the property consist almost entirely of non-native grassland and mowed turf grass
with one exception. A small, isolated wetland has developed in the City’s East Vine Streets Facilities’
stormwater runoff detention pond (see attached Figure 1). A description of this wetland is provided in the
following Section b.
Much of the property’s perimeter has been planted to non-native turf grass that is mowed for maintenance (see
attached Figure 1). Vegetation species in the remainder non-native grassland portions of the project area are
dominated by crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum1) and smooth brome (Bromus inermis). There are also
a few small pockets of tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus) and blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) scattered
throughout this habitat area. All grass species identified are non-native except for blue grama. The extent of
blue grama ground cover is very limited so this habitat area was classified as non-native grassland based on the
1 Scientific nomenclature follows USDA, NRCS Plants Database. Available online at: http://plants.usda.gov/java/
The most dominant grass in non-native grassland was tentatively identified as crested wheatgrass based on its form and
growth characteristics. Positive identification could not be confirmed since mowing had removed any remnant seed heads
on this grass.
C. Kisling
2/17/2018
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overwhelming dominance by non-native grass species. The non-native grassland habitat has also been mowed
for maintenance. Attached Photo 1 provides a representative view of non-native grassland.
There are a number of deciduous and evergreen conifer trees supported around the perimeter of the project
area and the stormwater detention basin. Many of these trees are over 6 inches in diameter and may be
classified by the City Forester as significant based on the Fort Collins Land Use Code. These trees were not
inventoried for this ECS Report since the City Forester will complete this survey. The City Forester will need to
evaluate the health of these trees in order for their significance status to be determined.
Aside from potentially significant trees and the small wetland area, the project area does not support any native
vegetation or other unique habitat features, and no features of ecological value exist within 500 feet of the
development site. Non-native grassland and mowed turf grass habitats are non-native habitats that have been
planted after clearing native vegetation and woody species, and as a result, support no natural habitat features
and have minimal ecological and wildlife habitat value.
Trees on the property may be used for perching, nesting, and foraging by urban-adapted songbirds, and
Canada geese grass may occasionally graze the grassland areas areas. No tree stick nests were located by
the February field survey except for one black-billed magpie nest, which was in poor condition (see attached
Figure 1). One fox squirrel nest was also found in a tree (see Figure 1).
(b) Although the majority of the project area is occupied by Caruso clay loam and Nunn clay loam, wet soils
(NRCS soils mapping at: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx), which are classified as
hydric (wetland) soils by the NRCS, no evidence of wetland hydrology or wetland vegetation was found in the
project area other than within the stormwater detention basin constructed to collect and treat runoff from paved
surfaces associated with the East Vine Streets Facility (see attached Figure 1 and Photo 2). This is an isolated
wetland with no connection to other Waters of the United States.
The stormwater detention basin wetland was delineated during the February 14, 2018 survey 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, Interim Regional Supplement to the
Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Great Plains Region (USACOE 2008). Numerous check holes
were dug and three formal sample points were established by the February 2018 survey to define and flag the
wetland boundary. The perimeter of the wetland was then surveyed using a hand-held GPS unit (accuracy ± 6-8
feet) and the wetland was determined to be 0.43 acre in size. A summary of the three formal sample points is
provided in Table 1. Copies of field data sheets are provided as an attachment to this report.
The central portion of this wetland, which is likely saturated or holds shallow standing water after precipitation
events, is dominated by narrowleaf cattail (Typha angustifolia - OBL), smartweed (Perisicaria sp. - FACW),
bulrush (Schoenoplectus sp.), common spikerush (Eleocharis palustris - OBL), and meadow foxtail (Alopecurus
pratensis - FACW). No sample point was established in this obvious wetland area. The outer, less-saturated,
perimeter portions of this wetland are dominated by reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea - FACW), foxtail
barley (Hordeum jubatum - FACW), Nuttall’s sunflower (Helianthus nuttallii - FACW), erect knotweed
(Polygonum erectum - FAC), prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola - FAC), showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa -
FAC), and barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli - FAC). Sample point SP-1 was placed in this area. Sample
point SP-2 was placed in the transition zone from wetland to upland where there was mix of wetland and upland
vegetation, including erect knotweed, crested wheatgrass (UPL), and field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis -
UPL). This sample point is slightly elevated above sample point SP-1. Sample point SP-3 was placed within
the stormwater detention basin but at the outer edge and at a slightly more elevated location than SP-2 in the
basin. Based on these three sample points the wetland/upland boundary was determined to be defined by a
transition in dominance from narrowleaf cattail, foxtail barley, reed canarygrass, barnyardgrass, or common
spikerush to dominance by a mix of erect knotweed, field bindweed, and crested wheatgrass.
C. Kisling
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TABLE 1
Summary of Streets Park Wetland and Upland Sample Point Characteristics
Sample
Point Dominant Species
Hydric Soil
Indicator(s)
Primary &
Secondary
Hydrology
Indicator(s)
COE
Wetland
SP-1
(Wetland)
Typha angustifolia - OBL
Polygonum erectum - FAC
Echinochloa crus-galli - FAC
F3 A3, C1, C9, D2 PEM1
SP-2
(Upland)
Polygonum erectum - FAC
Agropyron cristatum - UPL
Convovulus arvensis - UPL
none none No
SP-3
(Upland) Agropyron cristatum - UPL none none No
(c) The Streets Park project area provides partial views of the Front Range foothills.
(d & e) As indicated in Section a & j the Streets Park project area supports little native vegetation, and trees
and wetland vegetation represent the only native vegetation growing on site other than the small, isolated
pockets of blue grama within non-native grassland. Trees on the property will be inventoried by the City
Forester to determine significance potential and possible need for mitigation, if trees need to be removed for
development.
(f) There are no natural drainages on or near the Streets Park project area.
(g) There is no suitable habitat for any threatened, endangered, or other sensitive species on or adjacent to the
Streets Park project area. Wetlands supported within the stormwater detention basin do not provide suitable
habitat conditions for Ute ladies-tress’s orchid or Colorado butterfly plant.
(h) Past conversion of the Streets Park project area to non-native grassland and mowed turfgrass has
eliminated the potential for any special habitat features on the property, aside from the small wetland area in the
stormwater detention basin.
(i) There are no wildlife movement corridors within or near the Streets Park project area. Roadways and
residential or commercial development surround the property precluding the potential for any wildlife movement
corridors to pass through or near the project area.
(k) Because of the lack of natural habitat features on the Streets Park project area there is only one issue
regarding the timing of property development and ecological features or wildlife use of the project area. If
development includes removal of any trees on the property or if construction occurs near an occupied tree bird
nest during the songbird nesting season (March through July), these activities could result in the loss or
abandonment of a nest and may be in violation of the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
(l) Since the majority of the Streets Park project area has been converted to non-native grassland or mowed turf
grass areas and the stormwater detention basin would not be affected, project development would have no
direct impact on natural habitats or important habitat features, other than possibly to existing trees on the
property. City Land Use Code guidelines (Section 3.4.1) call for a buffer standard of 100 feet for wetlands 0.3
acre or larger in size, this buffer standard would apply to the stormwater detention basin wetland since it’s size is
0.43 acre. Current park development plans indicate portions of the west end of the proposed new park features
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would be within approximately 35 to 60 feet of the wetland boundary and would not meet the 100-foot buffer
standard. However this encroachment would occur in an area where the existing paved basketball court is less
than 25 feet from the wetland boundary. If new park development cannot meet or come near the 100-foot buffer
standard, natural resources planning staff may require mitigation in the buffer area to compensate for the buffer
reductions.
It is recommended that existing native and non-native trees classified as significant be maintained, if possible.
Otherwise removal of these trees for development would need to be mitigated with replacement trees, as
determined by the City Forester based on the Land Use Code. Mitigation plantings of replacement trees and
possible mitigation required for buffer reductions would be appropriate within the wetland buffer zone.
Supplemental irrigation may be required for initial establishment of shrubs, trees, and herbaceous species in the
buffer zone. A weed management plan should be developed in concert with habitat enhancement plantings to
minimize the development of non-desirable, invasive species in the buffer zone enhancement area.
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 trees occur outside of the
nesting season (March – July 31), or trees 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 songbird.
Craig, this concludes my evaluation of the Streets Park project area. If you have any questions or require
additional information regarding my evaluation, please give me a call.
Sincerely,
T. Michael Phelan
Wildlife and Wetland Consulting
attachments: Figure 1, Habitat Mapping for the Streets Park project area; Photos 1 and 2; Wetland Survey Data
Sheets;
Wetland Data Sheets