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Home My WebLink AboutKYLE AVENUE SOLAR ARRAY - PDP / FDP - FDP180026 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTNSE Kyle Road Solar Ecological Characterization Study SEPTEMBER 2018 PREPARED FOR Namaste Solar PREPARED BY SWCA Environmental Consultants NSE KYLE ROAD SOLAR ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY Prepared for Namaste Solar 6707 Winchester Circle, Suite 700 Boulder, Colorado 80304 Attn: Heath Mackay Prepared by SWCA Environmental Consultants 2120 South College Avenue, Suite 2 Fort Collins, Colorado 80525 (970) 237-4096 www.swca.com September 2018 NSE Kyle Road Solar Ecological Characterization Study i CONTENTS Contents ........................................................................................................................................................ i Appendices .............................................................................................................................................. i Tables ...................................................................................................................................................... i 1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 1 2 Site Description ..................................................................................................................................... 1 3 Ecological Characterization ................................................................................................................ 1 3.1 Wildlife ......................................................................................................................................... 1 3.2 Aquatic Resources ........................................................................................................................ 2 3.3 Prominent Views .......................................................................................................................... 2 3.4 Native Trees and Other Native Vegetation ................................................................................... 2 3.5 Non-Native Vegetation and Noxious Weeds ................................................................................ 2 3.6 Bank, Shoreline, and High-Water Mark of Perennial Water ........................................................ 3 3.7 Sensitive and Specially Valued Species ....................................................................................... 3 3.8 Special Habitat Features ............................................................................................................... 4 3.9 Wildlife Movement Corridors ...................................................................................................... 4 3.10 General Ecological Functions ....................................................................................................... 4 3.11 Mitigation Measures ..................................................................................................................... 4 4 Conclusions and Recommendations ................................................................................................... 4 5 Literature Cited .................................................................................................................................... 6 Appendices Appendix A. Project Maps Appendix B. Site Visit Photographs Tables Table 1. Native Trees and Vegetation Observed ..................................................................................... 2 Table 2. Federally Listed Sensitive Species for Larimer County and Their Potential to Occur .............. 3 NSE Kyle Road Solar Ecological Characterization Study 1 1 INTRODUCTION In August 2018, SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) conducted a desktop analysis and field survey for ecological characteristics on the McSay property in the City of Fort Collins, Colorado. Namaste Solar is proposing development of the 5.99-acre NSE Kyle Road Solar Facility (project) that will be part of the City of Fort Collins Utilities Solar Power Purchase Program. The project will be comprised of approximately 2,736 solar modules mounted on single-axis trackers, ground mounted, and supported by a driven pile foundation. An access gate and road will be installed along the western boundary of the property intersecting with Kyle Avenue. The project has been designed to meet the criteria outlined by the City of Fort Collins. This report has been prepared in accordance with Section 3.4.1 (D)(1) of the Land Use Code for the City of Fort Collins regarding the requirements of an Ecological Characterization Study (ECS). An ECS for the project is required as part of the development plan due to its proximity (within 500 feet) to the City of Fort Collins–owned Prairie Dog Meadow Natural Area. 2 SITE DESCRIPTION The proposed solar facility would be situated on the northern section of the McSay property (parcel 9612300027), which currently consists of open, undeveloped land. As currently planned, the array would be set back approximately 35 feet from all sides of property line (project area). The array footprint would be approximately 4 acres. An overview map of the project area is included in Appendix A. Mac Fuller and Clint Hinebaugh (SWCA natural resource specialists) visited the project area on August 27, 2018. Ecological communities of the site are classified as Developed and Open Space according to the National Gap Analysis Project (GAP) Ecological Systems Viewer and consist of grasslands and non- irrigated pasture (U.S. Geological Survey [USGS] 2011). 3 ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION The following sections relating to the ecological characterization of the project area are summarized in the order listed in Section 3.4.1 (D)(1) of the Land Use Code. 3.1 Wildlife Wildlife species expected to utilize the project area in its present state could include use by various species of small rodents, including mice, voles, rats, and black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus); seasonal and/or year-round use by a number of species of grassland songbirds might include meadow lark (Sturnella neglecta), horned lark (Eremophila alpestris), mourning dove (Zenaida macroura), sparrows, warblers, and others. Several species of raptors could potentially utilize the area, including red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), sparrow hawk (Falco sparverius), prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus), Swainson's hawk (Buteo swainsoni), northern harrier (Circus cyaneus), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), and some species of owls. No wildlife species were observed in the project area on the day of the field survey, but numerous historic, inactive prairie dog burrows were present. An active prairie dog colony was observed approximately 50 feet northwest of the project area. Some suitable nesting locations for raptors were observed in the trees to the north and east of the project area, but no nests or raptors were identified during the field survey. NSE Kyle Road Solar Ecological Characterization Study 2 3.2 Aquatic Resources SWCA conducted a desktop review to identify the potential for aquatic resources at the site. Based on a desktop review of National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) data, National Hydrography Database (NHD) maps, aerial imagery, and topographic mapping, no aquatic resources were identified (USGS 2017a, 2018). The closest mapped aquatic resources are approximately 55 feet from the project boundary (see Appendix A). The absence of aquatic resources, including wetlands, perennial and ephemeral streams, and other waterbodies, was confirmed during the field survey. The site is outside of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 100-year flood hazard zone as well as the City of Fort Collins high risk flood zone. 3.3 Prominent Views In the foreground, prominent views of the Prairie Dog Meadow Natural Area are present to the north and east while residential housing is present to the south and west. In the mid-ground, views of the Huntington Hills subdivision exist to the north and the Brittany Knolls subdivision to the east. Horsetooth Rock and other prominent features of the Front Range are visible in the background to the west. Typical views documented on-site are provided in Appendix B. 3.4 Native Trees and Other Native Vegetation The site shows signs of previous disturbance, but a few native tree and plant species were observed in small quantities. A list of the native species identified is included in Table 1, and the location of the trees is shown in Appendix A. The trees identified during the field survey will be removed as part of the project and Namaste is working with the City of Fort Collins to develop mitigation measures for the removal of the trees. Table 1. Native Trees and Vegetation Observed Common Name Scientific Name Growth Habit American elm Ulmus americana Tree Common juniper Juniperus communis Tree Showy milkweed Asclepias speciose Forb Yellow rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus Shrub 3.5 Non-Native Vegetation and Noxious Weeds In addition to the few native species observed on-site, non-native plant species dominated the site. The non-native species identified included smooth brome (Bromus inermis), crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) and field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). Field bindweed is a designated List C noxious weed in Colorado but does not require weed management or control by either the state or Larimer County (Colorado Department of Agriculture 2018). NSE Kyle Road Solar Ecological Characterization Study 3 3.6 Bank, Shoreline, and High-Water Mark of Perennial Water The presence/absence of lotic systems (e.g., creeks, rivers, arroyos, human-made ditches—collectively, streams) is determined by the presence of an ordinary high-water mark (OHWM). The OHWM is a defining element for identifying the lateral limits of non-wetland waters. No bank, shoreline, or OHWM were identified during the field survey. 3.7 Sensitive and Specially Valued Species The Endangered Species Act–listed species for the project area (USFWS 2017b) are summarized in Table 2. SWCA reviewed this list and considered the habitat observed during the field survey to determine if the listed species could occur in the project area. Based on the observations made during the field survey, it was determined that the site does not provide suitable habitat for any of the listed species, and there is no potential for their occurrence. Table 2. Federally Listed Sensitive Species for Larimer County and Their Potential to Occur Common Name (Scientific Name) Status* Potential to Occur Mammals Canada lynx (Lynx Canadensis) T No potential to occur North American wolverine (Gulo gulo luscus) PT No potential to occur Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) T No potential to occur Birds Least tern (Sterna antillarum) E No potential to occur Mexican spotted owl (Strix occidentalis lucida) T No potential to occur Piping plover (Charadrius melodus) T No potential to occur Whooping crane (Grus americana) E No potential to occur Fishes Greenback cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii stomias) T No potential to occur Pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) E No potential to occur Insects Arapahoe snowfly (Arsapnia arapahoe) C No potential to occur Flowering Plants Colorado butterfly plant (Gaura neomexicana var. coloradensis) T No potential to occur North Park phacelia (Phacelia formosula) E No potential to occur Ute ladies’-tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis) T No potential to occur Western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclara) T No potential to occur Source: USFWS (2017b). * C =candidate; E = endangered; PT= proposed threatened; T = threatened. NSE Kyle Road Solar Ecological Characterization Study 4 3.8 Special Habitat Features According to the Natural Habitat and Features Map provided by the City of Fort Collins, the property has been classified as non-native grasslands. Other prominent features in the vicinity of the property are located within the Prairie Dog Meadow Natural Area and consist of emergent wetland and wet meadow. According to the Fossil Creek Natural Areas Management Plan, over 160 species of plants have been identified in this natural area, 65 percent of which are native. 3.9 Wildlife Movement Corridors Due to the limited suitable wildlife habitat on the site and the surrounding human development, it is not likely that wildlife use the site as a movement corridor. The current plans call for a setback from the natural area to the north of 115 feet; therefore, the proposed development should not affect the functioning of the Prairie Dog Meadow Natural Area or Stone Creek as a movement corridor. 3.10 General Ecological Functions The site does not support any significant areas of native vegetation or other unique habitat features. Currently the site consists of upland vegetation—predominately smooth brome—,and a few other native and exotic species. 3.11 Mitigation Measures Namaste is working with the City of Fort Collins to develop a mitigation plan related to the removal of the trees in the southeast corner of the property. Mitigation measures have not been finalized yet but will be included as part of the project implementation. Suitable raptor nesting habitat is present adjacent to the project area. Raptor nest surveys should be performed prior to surface-disturbing activities if construction occurs during the nesting season to determine if active nests are present. The project should adhere to the buffer zones and seasonal restrictions recommended by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (2008) that are listed below. • Ferruginous hawk: 0.50-mile buffer from February 1 through July 15 • Red-tailed hawk: 0.33-mile buffer from February 15 through July 15 • Swainson’s hawk: 0.25-mile buffer from April 1 through July 15 • Prairie falcon: 0.50-mile buffer from March 15 through July 15 • Burrowing owl: 150-foot buffer from March 15 through October 31 Additionally, if project construction is to occur in the spring or summer during migratory bird nesting season, SWCA recommends preconstruction nest surveys to identify and avoid impacts to migratory birds. 4 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Based on the results of the desktop analysis and field survey for ecological characteristics and the recommended mitigation measures, it is SWCA’s professional opinion that no ecological resources will be adversely impacted by this project. NSE Kyle Road Solar Ecological Characterization Study 5 Any changes to the currently proposed project implementation plan or schedule should be communicated to SWCA in order to re-evaluate the potential for impacts. NSE Kyle Road Solar Ecological Characterization Study 6 5 LITERATURE CITED Colorado Department of Agriculture. 2018. Noxious Weed Species. Available at: https://colorado.gov/pacific/agconservation/noxious-weed-species. Accessed August 2018. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). 2008. Recommended Buffer Zones and Seasonal Restrictions for Colorado Raptors. Available at: http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/WildlifeSpecies/ LivingWithWildlife/RaptorBufferGuidelines2008.pdf. Accessed August 2018. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2017a. National Wetlands Inventory. Available at: http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/data/Data-Download.html. Accessed August 2018. ———. 2017b. Larimer County, Colorado, Natural Resources of Concern. IPaC, Information for Planning and Consultation. Available at: https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/location/2QQO6TTPXFCIXN2X6HJ52QRSGQ/resources. Accessed August 2018. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). 2011. Land Cover Viewer. National Gap Analysis Project (GAP), Land Cover Data Portal. Version 2. Available at: https://gapanalysis.usgs.gov/gaplandcover/viewer/. Accessed August 2018. ———. 2018. Hydrography. Links to Data Products and Map Services. Available at: http://nhd.usgs.gov/data.html. Accessed August 2018. APPENDIX A Project Maps A-1 Figure A-1. Overview of the project area. A-2 This page intentionally left blank. A-3 Figure A-2. Results of the field survey. Appendix B Site Visit Photographs B-1 Figure B-1. Looking north from the property boundary toward the Prairie Dog Meadow Natural Area. Figure B-2. Overview of landscape, view facing south. B-2 Figure B-3. Overview of landscape, view facing west. Figure B-4. Overview of the tree corridor, view facing southwest. B-3 Figure B-5. Overview of the landscape, view facing northeast. Figure B-6. Looking along the western property boundary, view facing north. B-4 Figure B-7. Overview of the landscape, view facing southeast. Figure B-8. Overview of landscape from center of property, view facing south.