HomeMy WebLinkAboutGULLEY DURAN SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE - PDP / FDP - FDP180021 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT937 Mallard Drive, Ft. Collins, CO 80521 * (970) 224-0851 * www.bluemountain1.net
April 20, 2018
Beth Gulley
Gulley Greenhouse, Inc.
6029 S. Shields St.
Fort Collins, CO 80526
RE: Ecological Characterization Study
Ms. Gulley:
This report is submitted to satisfy the requirements to Section 3.4.1 (D) (1) of the Land Use Code
of the City of Fort Collins regarding the preparation of an Ecological Characterization Study
(ECS). This report was required by the City of Fort Collins Community Development and
Neighborhood Services department because the property is bordered by Cathy Fromme Prairie to
the north and west.
The proposed project entails construction of a single-family residence, barn and guest house
within the 15.5-acre property. The property is located east of South Taft Hill Road, west of South
Shields Street and north of West Trilby Road. Cathy Fromme Prairie, a City of Fort Collins
Natural Area, borders the property to the west and north. The legal description for the property is
as follows:
TR IN SE 10‐6‐69, FTC, DESC AS BEG AT E1/4 COR SD SEC 10, TH N 89 45ʹ 08ʺ W 1801.76 FT;
TH S 01 01ʹ W 889.73 FT TO SW COR PROP DESC IN 86041883 WH IS ALSO PT ON N LN PROP
DESC IN 1451‐126; TH S 87 37ʹ W 870.05 FT TO PT ON W LN SD SE; TH N 00 48ʹ 21ʺ E 929
The site was visited by Matt Tobler (Natural Resource Specialist) with Blue Mountain
Environmental Consulting on April 11, 2018. Feel free to contact me with any questions you
may have.
Sincerely,
Matt Tobler
Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting, LLC
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1.0 Ecological Characterization
The elements of the Ecological Characterization Study are summarized in this section in the
order listed in Section 3.4.1 (D) (1) of the Land Use Code. Site maps are provided in Appendix
A. Site photos are provided in Appendix B. Photo points are indicated on the Natural Features
and Habitats Map in Appendix A.
1.1 Wildlife
Wildlife habitat value of the property is moderate. Key habitat features include connectivity with
Cathy Fromme Prairie, proximity to Fossil Creek, forage value of smooth brome fields and
friable soils that accommodate burrowing and denning wildlife species. Observed species (or
their evidence) include deer (Odocoileus spp.), coyote (Canis latrans), common garter snake
(Thamnophis sirtali), eastern rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis), pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius),
white-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii) and meadow lark (Sturnella neglecta). It is anticipated
that the site is also used by mice, voles, red fox (Vulpes fulva) and mesopredators including
skunk (Mephitis mephitis) and raccoon (Procyon lotor). An array of passerine migrant birds is
also anticipated to use the site as well as turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), Swainson’s hawk
(Buteo swainsoni), red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) and ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis).
1.2 Wetlands
There are no wetlands on the property. According to the National Wetlands Inventory
(https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/data/mapper.html), a palustrine emergent (PEM1C) wetland
associated with Fossil Creek is located approximately 175 feet to the south of the southern
property boundary.
1.3 Prominent Views
The property is visible in the mid-ground when looking east from South Taft Hill Road and from
points within Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area. At present, grasslands on the property form a
buffer between the natural area and commercial and residential developments to the east.
1.4 Native Trees and Vegetation
The prairie site does not support any trees. The majority of the vegetative composition is
dominated by exotic grasses with native species forming a minor component of the overall cover.
Native shrubs include yucca (Yucca glaucca), plains prickly pear (Opuntia polyacantha),
rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus spp.), snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) and fringed sage
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(Artemisia frigida). Native grasses include western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) and three
awn (Aristida purpurea). Native forb species were not observed.
1.5 Non-native Trees and Vegetation
The property appears to have been used to produce hay in the recent past and as such is
dominated by smooth brome (Bromus inermis) with cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and crested
wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) forming a minor component of the overall cover. Observed
non-native forb species include dandelion (Taraxicum officinale), yellow salsify (Tragapogon
dubious), curly doc (Rumix crispus), yellow sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis) and flixweed
(Descurainia sophia).
1.6 Bank, Shoreline and High Water Mark of Perennial Water
According to the City of Fort Collins FEMA Map Panel (08069C1000F and 08069C1200F), the
property is not in a floodplain (http://www.fcgov.com/utilities/what-we-
do/stormwater/flooding/floodplain-maps-documents, accessed April 13, 2018).
1.7 Sensitive and Specially Valued Species
There are no known occurrences of or habitat for sensitive and specially valued species on the
property. According to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Information, Planning and
Conservation System (IPAC) there are no critical habitats on the property.
1.8 Special Habitat Features
The Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area, a City of Fort Collins designated natural area, is
located to the north and west of the property. According to the City of Fort Collins web site,
“Cathy Fromme Prairie is a rare example of Fort Collins pre-settlement shortgrass prairie
landscape. Drylands and wetlands here provide habitat to a variety of plants and animals. Look
for horned lizards, ground-nesting songbirds, butterflies, rabbits, coyotes and rattlesnakes. The
raptor observatory, built into the hillside near the Shields Street entrance, is an excellent place
from which to watch hawks and eagles, especially in winter.” (From
https://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/finder/cathyfromme accessed on April 16, 2018.)
Additional information regarding this natural area can be obtained at
https://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/finder/cathyfromme.
The Natural Features and Habitats Map in Appendix A identifies features within and adjacent to
the property including native grasslands and emergent wetlands.
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1.9 Wildlife Migration Corridors
According to the City of Fort Collins Wildlife Management Guidelines, “The Fort Collins area
continues to be an important migratory corridor for raptors, songbirds and butterflies. As
wetlands have increased along the Front Range, so has the value of Fort Collins for migratory
waterfowl, shorebirds and other wetland bird species. Riparian forests along Fossil Creek and
other stream corridors in Colorado are recognized by many as one of the more diverse
ecosystems in the United States.”
Fossil Creek and Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area serve as wildlife migration corridors for
local wildlife; both provide connectivity to the foothills. In addition to avifauna, it is expected
that deer, raccoons, skunks and other urban-adapted species use these waterways to move
through the region. The impact of site activities on these corridors is expected to be minimal
because a large portion of the property will remain in open space and because proposed
developments are clustered.
1.10 General Ecological Functions
Ecological functions supported by the 15-acre site include water conveyance and infiltration,
wildlife habitat and migration and connectivity with other conserved lands. Vegetation is
principally smooth brome, an exotic species with good forage value. Soils are friable which
accommodates a variety of burrowing wildlife species.
1.11 Timing of Development in Relation to Ecological Character
The primary concern for the timing of development is protection of ground-nesting birds
adjacent to and within the project site. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, it is
unlawful for anyone to take, possess, import, export, transport, sell, purchase, barter or offer for
sale, purchase or barter, any migratory bird or the parts, nests or eggs. To the greatest extent
possible, avoid site activities between April 1 and August 15.
1.12 Mitigation Measures
According to the City of Fort Collins Land Use Code, “If the project contains or abuts a publicly
owned natural area or conserved land, the development plan shall be designed so that it will be
compatible with the management of such natural area or conserved land. In order to achieve this,
the development plan shall include measures such as barriers or landscaping measures to
minimize wildlife conflicts, setbacks or open space tracts to provide a transition between the
development and the publicly owned natural area or conserved land, and educational signage or
printed information regarding the natural values, management needs and potential conflicts
associated with living in close proximity to such natural area or conserved land.”
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Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting recommends the following mitigation:
Utilize native xeric cool- and warm-season flowering plants to enhance pollinator habitat
within landscape beds; limit the use of insecticides.
Utilize buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides) and blue gramma (Bouteloua gracilis) for
residential lawns.
Cluster developments to maximize open space and natural areas.
Utilize semi-permeable surfaces on driveways and parking areas in accordance with city
regulations to reduce stormwater runoff and facilitate groundwater infiltration.
To the maximum extent feasible, preserve or create connectivity with offsite natural
features.
In compliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, avoid site activities during
migratory bird nesting season of April 1 through August 15. Survey for ground nests
prior to site activity if construction activities are undertaken during this time. Any
unoccupied nest may be removed or disrupted during this time frame.
2.0 Conclusions and Recommendations
The team at Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting believes that no significant ecological
resources will be adversely impacted by development at this site.
References
City of Fort Collins Floodplain Maps and Documents. Accessed on April 13, 2018;
http://www.fcgov.com/utilities/what-we-do/stormwater/flooding/floodplain-maps-
documents
Recommended Buffer Zones and Seasonal Restrictions fro Colorado Raptors
(https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/WildlifeSpecies/LivingWithWildlife/RaptorBufferGu
idelines2008.pdf).
United States Fish and Wildlife Service Information Planning and Conservation System (IPAC).
Accessed on April 13, 2018. http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/
Wildlife Management Guidelines, City of Fort Collins.
http://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/pdf/wildlife-management-guidelines.pdf
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Appendix A: Project Maps
7
Site Plan
8
Natural Features and Habitats Map
9
Appendix B: Site Photos
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Map
Number:
1
Photo
Direction:
South
Looking south form the northeast property corner.
Map
Number:
1
Photo
Direction:
SW
Looking southwest.
11
Map
Number:
1
Photo
Direction:
West
Looking west.
Map
Number:
2
Photo
Direction:
East
Looking east form the northwest property corner.
12
Map
Number:
2
Photo
Direction:
South
Looking south.
Map
Number:
3
Photo
Direction:
North
Looking north from the southwest corner.
13
Map
Number:
3
Photo
Direction:
NE
Looking northeast.
Map
Number:
3
Photo
Direction:
East
Looking east.
14
Map
Number:
4
Photo
Direction:
North
Looking north from the southeast property corner.
Map
Number:
4
Photo
Direction:
West
Looking west towards the Front Range.
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