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Home My WebLink AboutFORT COLLINS NISSAN-KIA - PDP210017 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 937 Mallard Drive, Ft. Collins, CO 80521 * (970) 224-0851 * www.bluemountainenvironmental.com August 31, 2021 Cathy Mathis, APA TB Group 444 Mountain Avenue Berthoud, CO 80513 RE: Fort Collins Nissan-Kia Ecological Restoration Plan Ms. Mathis: This restoration plan is intended to be used for revegetation of all upland areas at Fort Collins Nissan-Kia. The approximate locations of areas that will be disturbed are illustrated on the Fort Collins Nissan-Kia Overall Grading Plan dated 9/11/2021 (here incorporated by reference). Areas to be restored occur principally on the western, northwestern and northern perimeter of the proposed development. The project area is a grassland dominated by smooth brome (Bromus inermis) and crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum). Other exotic species include cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), musk thistle (Carduus nutans), kochia (Bassia scoparia), Dalmatian toadflax (Linaria dalmatica), Russian thistle (Salsola iberica), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), yellow salsify (Tragopogon dubius), prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola), yellow sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis), mullein (Verbascum thapsus), pennycress (Thlaspi arvense), morning glory (Convolvulus spp.) and flixweed (Descurainia sophia). Leafy spurge, musk thistle, Dalmatian toadflax, mullein and field bindweed are State-listed noxious species. Native vegetation is a minor component of the total cover on the property. Our recommended approach to ecological restoration is to manage noxious weeds before and after site activities, apply herbicide to eradicate undesirable vegetation that has germinated after site activities, followed by establishment of a cover crop and native species. It is anticipated that several herbicide treatments will be necessary to suppress undesirable perennial grasses prior to and after seeding native species. Table 1 below outlines restoration activities for each year. Table 1. Summary of ecological restoration activities for disturbed uplands at Fort Collins Nissan-Kia. Year Activity 1 Manage noxious weeds in accordance with guidelines provided in Appendix A prior to and after site grading. 1 Commence and complete site grading activities. 1 Apply herbicide to eliminate all herbaceous species germinating in graded areas. Fort Collins Nissan-Kia Ecological Restoration Plan 937 Mallard Drive, Ft. Collins, CO 80521 * (970) 224-0851 * www.bluemountainenvironmental.com 2 Plant cover crop of sterile sorghum in spring. Irrigate if necessary to promote seed germination and plant growth. Allow cover crop to grow through summer. Mow before planting native seed mix. Plant native seed mix in late fall. 3 Irrigate if necessary to promote seed germination and plant growth. If annual weeds are present, mow monthly with mowing heights no less than 4 to 6 inches. Use spot herbicide control if necessary. 4 Irrigate if necessary to promote plant growth. If annual weeds are present, mow monthly with mowing heights no less than 12 inches. Use spot herbicide control if necessary. 5 Irrigate if necessary to promote plant growth. If annual weeds are present, mow monthly with mowing heights no less than 12 inches. Use spot herbicide control if necessary. Determine if success criteria for vegetative cover has been met. If criteria has not been met, maintain growth for additional year. Noxious Weed Management Utilize integrated weed management techniques provided in Appendix A to suppress leafy spurge, musk thistle, Dalmatian toadflax, mullein and field bindweed. Herbicide application is to be conducted by a licensed commercial applicator. New populations of Colorado-listed noxious weeds discovered within the area of site disturbance shall be managed with appropriate integrated techniques. Herbicide Treatments It is anticipated that exotic perennial grasses will germinate in graded areas. The Larimer County Weed District recommends treating exotic perennial grasses with Rodeo near wetlands and Roundup on uplands. It is anticipated that three to four treatments will be necessary within the first year. Herbicides will be used at appropriate rates and timing; exclude vehicular traffic from seeded areas with fencing to prevent soil compaction and/or rutting. Establish Cover Crop Plant a cover crop of sterile sorghum in spring of year two so that there is one additional growing season to deplete the seed bank and control undesirable species. The cover crop will prevent erosion and condition soils for planting of native seeds in the fall. Seed bed preparation such as mowing or tilling is not necessary before seeding the cover crop. A no-till native grass seeder shall be used to plant sterile sorghum at a rate of 5 pounds pure live seed (PLS) per acre after May 15 or after the last frost when soil temperatures are above 65 degrees F. Plant seeds ½ to ¾ inch deep in rows 7 to 12 inches apart. Allow the cover crop to grow throughout the summer. If dry conditions persist after seeding, sprinkler irrigation may be necessary for successful seed germination. If dry conditions exist during the growing season, Fort Collins Nissan-Kia Ecological Restoration Plan 937 Mallard Drive, Ft. Collins, CO 80521 * (970) 224-0851 * www.bluemountainenvironmental.com irrigation may be necessary for adequate plant establishment. Allow cover crop to grow through the summer. Mow if necessary before planting native seed mix. Plant native seed mix in late fall. Planting Native Grass and Forb Seed Drill seed the restoration seed mix described in Table 2 in the fall of year two. The mix may be purchased from Pawnee Butts Seed Company, Arkansas Valley Seed or Western Native Seed. Seed bed preparation such as mowing or tilling is not necessary before seeding. Use a no-till native grass seeder to plant the native seed mix. If growth of the sterile sorghum crop is determined to be too tall or dense for effective use of the no-till seeder, mow the sterile sorghum before seeding. Plant native grass and forb seed between November 15 and April 15. Plant seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep in rows 7 to 12 inches apart. Irrigate if necessary to promote seed germination and plant growth in year 3. The decadent cover crop of sterile sorghum will moderate microclimate conditions of the seed bed. If annual weeds are present, mow monthly with mowing heights no less than 4 to 6 inches. Hand pull or use spot application of herbicides to control other undesirable species as necessary. Maintenance of Seeded Area If dry conditions are present in the spring of year 2 and/or year 3, irrigation may be necessary for successful seed germination and early plant establishment. If natural precipitation is determined to be insufficient for plant establishment over the growing season of year 2 or year 3, irrigation may be necessary. If annual weeds are present, mow every month during the first growing season (year 3). Set mower to 4 to 6 inches high, no lower. If annual weeds are present during year 4, continue mowing with blade heights no lower than 12 inches. Manage undesirable species with hand pulling, or herbicide application as necessary, during or after year 2; apply spot-control herbicide with a hand-held or backpack sprayer or wick applicator. Success Criteria Success criteria for security release is detailed in the Development Agreement (DA), which is specific to each project. The standard success criteria is 70% average cover with less than 10% cover of noxious weeds and no bare ground areas greater than 1 square foot. Cover requirements are expected to be achieved 3 years after seeding the native seed mix under normal growing conditions of temperature and natural moisture. Fort Collins Nissan-Kia Ecological Restoration Plan 937 Mallard Drive, Ft. Collins, CO 80521 * (970) 224-0851 * www.bluemountainenvironmental.com Table 2. Native grass and forb mix for Clarendon Natural Habitat Buffer Zone. Common Name Scientific Name Growth Form* PLS/lbs. (x1000) PLS/SF PLS lbs./ac. sideoats grama Bouteloua curtipendula g 190 10 2.29 blue grama Bouteloua gracilis g 825 10 0.53 buffalo grass Buchloe dactyloides (burr) g 56 2 1.56 purple prairie clover Dalea purpurea f 293 3 0.45 Canada Wildrye Elymus canadensis g 115 10 3.79 thickspike wheatgrass Elymus lanceolatus g 154 5 1.41 annual sunflower Helianthus annuus g 115 5.5 2.08 hairy goldenaster Heterotheca villosa hs 330 3 0.40 gayfeather Liatris punctata f 168 3 0.78 blue flax Linum lewisii f 293 3 0.45 western wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii g 120 10 3.63 mountain goldenbanner Thermposis montana f 30.6 5 7.12 Total 69.5 24.5 * g=grass, f=forb, hs=halfshrub; PLS = Pure Live Seed; SF = Square Foot Confirm the actual acreage of the restoration area prior to undertaking site activities. Drill seeding of native species would occur at the end of the first year. Site management, including irrigation, hand pulling, mowing and herbicide treatment of undesirable species, will likely continue for three years thereafter. Feel free to contact me with questions. Sincerely, Matt Tobler Natural Resource Specialist, Certified Ecologist Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting, LLC