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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBUCKING HORSE PARK - BDR210011 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 4 - ECS REPORT 937 Mallard Drive, Ft. Collins, CO 80521 * (970) 224-0851 * www.bluemountainenvironmental.com August 27, 2020 Craig Kisling Park Planner / Project Manager City of Fort Collins RE: Fort Collins Bucking Horse Park Ecological Characterization Study Mr. Kisling: This report is submitted to satisfy the requirements of 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). The property is located north of East Drake Road along Miles House Drive in the Bucking Horse Neighborhood in Fort Collins. This report is required by the City of Fort Collins Community Development and Neighborhood Services Department due to the project’s proximity to the Poudre River. The property is situated in Township 7 North, Range 68 West of the 6th Principal Meridian in Larimer County, Colorado (Larimer County parcel number 8720467902). The property was visited by Matt Tobler of Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting on August 20, 2020. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. Sincerely, Matt Tobler Natural Resource Specialist, Certified Ecologist Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting, LLC Bucking Horse Park Ecological Characterization Study 2 1.0 Project Background The City of Fort Collins intends to construct a neighborhood park on the 6.1-acre site, which will contain a playground, shelter and restroom. The site design may incorporate the small swale located to the east of the site as an amenity within the park by routing the high-water flow through the park. 2.0 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. 2.1 Wildlife Due to the property’s suburban location and human disturbance level, wildlife value is moderate to low. The property is open grassland with a few scattered immature trees that were planted along a recreational trail that extends along the eastern property boundary. Deer scat and small trails created by mice or voles were observed; small and large burrows were not observed. Most wildlife use is expected to be transitional as animals travel along the Poudre River riparian corridor or seek forage within a matrix of residential lots and open spaces. Seasonal and/or year-round wildlife use can be expected by a number of avifauna including American robin (Turdus migratorius), northern flicker (Colaptes auratus), western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) mourning dove (Zenaidura macroura), western kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis), magpie (Pica pica), crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and raven (Corvus corax) as well as a variety of passerine migrants. Raptors may utilize the site primarily for hunting rodents and small birds. No nest cavities or stick nests were observed; no mature trees exist on the property. Mammals such as mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), coyote (Canis latrans), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), mice, voles, fox squirrel (Sciurus niger), eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus) and raccoon (Procyon lotor) could utilize the property year round. 2.2 Wetlands There are no wetlands on the property. 2.3 Prominent Views The Front Range foothills and associated prominent features can be seen in the background when looking west from within the property. Foreground views to the north and west are of residential neighborhoods. Mid-ground views to the north and west are dominated by residential Bucking Horse Park Ecological Characterization Study 3 development. Eastern views have the Great Western Railway in the foreground. Eastern mid- ground views include the Poudre River riparian corridor and the Drake Wastewater Treatment Plant. 2.4 Vegetation The majority of the property is an open grassland that appears to have undergone major disturbances followed by site restoration. The site is dominated by Canada wild rye, but there is also a minor component of native and exotic forb and grass species. Overall, vegetative composition is largely native with just a few scattered traces of noxious weeds. A few ornamental trees were recently planted along the recreational trail and are likely to survive. Species composition and origin is detailed in the below table. Common Name Scientific Name Origin Noxious Trees Red pine Pinus resinosa Native Plains cottonwood Populus deltoides Native Russian olive Elaeagnus angustifolia Exotic Yes Ponderosa pine Pinus ponderosa Native Honey locust Gleditsia triacanthos Native Siberian elm Ulmus pumila Exotic Shrubs Rubber rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus nauseosus Native Forbs Musk thistle Carduus nutans Exotic Yes Curly doc Rumex crispus Exotic Leafy spurge Euphorbia esula Exotic Yes Yellow salsify Tragopogon dubius Exotic Common mullein Verbascum thapsus Exotic Yes Canada thistle Cirsium arvense Exotic Yes Prickly lettuce Lactuca serriola Exotic Prairie sunflower Helianthus petiolaris Native Horseweed Conyza canadensis Native Flixweed Descurainia sophia Native Morning glory Convolvulus arvensis Exotic Yes Kochia Bassia scoparia Exotic Chicory Cichorium intybus Exotic Yes Hairy goldenaster Heterotheca villosa Native Grasses Western wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii Native Cheatgrass Bromus tectorum Exotic Smooth brome Bromus inermis Exotic Canada wildrye Elymus canadensis Native Bucking Horse Park Ecological Characterization Study 4 2.5 Bank, Shoreline and High Water Mark of Perennial Water According to the Larimer County Land Information Locator Larimer County IT, Enterprise GIS (https://maps1.larimer.org/gvh/?Viewer=LIL&run=Theme&theme=Land%20Information&run= Parcel&parcel=), accessed on August 22, 2019), the property is within a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) floodplain and occurs on FEMA Map Panel 08069CO992G. Bank, shoreline and high-water mark features were not present. 2.6 Sensitive and Specially Valued Species The property does not have potential habitat for Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei). The property has no potential habitat (weltands, floodplains) for Ute lady’s tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis) or Colorado butterfly plant (Gaura neomexicana ssp. Coloradensis). There are no known occurrences of these three species on or near the property. No active or inactive prairie dog colonies are located on the property. There are no raptor stick nests on the property. 2.7 Special Habitat Features The City of Fort Collins Natural Habitats and Features database did not indicate any features on the property. Special habitat features adjacent to the property include aquatic, riparian forest and non-native grasslands to the northeast that are associated with the Poudre River. At present, the property extends the grasslands and natural features associated with and buffering the Poudre River. 2.8 Wildlife Migration Corridors The property is unlikely to play a major role in the movement of wildlife due to local fragmentation by residential development and associated roads. Wildlife may move northwest to southeast within a swale that occurs between the property and the Great Western Railway to the east. In the broadest context, the Poudre River riparian corridor with associated open spaces and natural areas is a prominent feature that accommodates wildlife movement in close proximity to the property. 2.9 General Ecological Functions This 6.1-acre property is situated within a matrix of residential neighborhoods to the north, west and south while the Poudre River flows to the southeast near the eastern property border. A drainage swale that extends to the southeast between the eastern property boundary and the Great Western Railway may be used as a movement corridor by some wildlife species. While the Poudre River riparian corridor is a prominent ecological feature in the vicinity, grasslands on the Bucking Horse Park Ecological Characterization Study 5 property are of limited value for forage or other wildlife use. Ecological function is limited by local habitat fragmentation, site disturbance and species composition. 2.10 Timing of Development in Relation to Ecological Character The primary concern for the timing of development is protection of migratory birds. 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. Observe below guidelines regarding site activities. 2.11 Mitigation Measures Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting recommends the following mitigation: • Conduct a nest survey for ground nesting birds 10 days prior site activities between that occur between March 15 and August 15. • Establish native xeric cool- and warm-season grasses and forbs to reduce water consumption and create pollinator habitat; maintain existing cottonwood trees establish additional deciduous and coniferous trees within landscapes. • Manage noxious species that proliferate as a result of site disturbance with integrated methods that include mechanical, cultural and chemical treatments. • Utilize semi permeable surfaces on roads and walkways where possible to promote stormwater infiltration and groundwater recharge. References City of Fort Collins Floodplain Maps and Documents. http://www.fcgov.com/utilities/what-we- do/stormwater/flooding/floodplain-maps-documents National Wetland Inventory Mapper. Accessed on August 19, 2020. http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper.html Recommended Buffer Zones and Seasonal Restrictions for Colorado Raptors (https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/WildlifeSpecies/LivingWithWildlife/RaptorBufferGu idelines2008.pdf). Wildlife Management Guidelines, City of Fort Collins. http://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/pdf/wildlife-management-guidelines.pdf Bucking Horse Park Ecological Characterization Study 6 Appendix A: Project Maps Bucking Horse Park Ecological Characterization Study 7 Vicinity Map Bucking Horse Park Ecological Characterization Study 8 Appendix B: Site Photos Bucking Horse Park Ecological Characterization Study 9 Location: SE Corner Photo Direction: West Looking west from the southeast property corner towards the Bucking Horse neighborhood. Location: SE Corner Photo Direction: NW Looking northwest along the eastern property boundary. Bucking Horse Park Ecological Characterization Study 10 Location: NW Corner Photo Direction: NE Looking northeast from the northwest property corner. Location: NE Corner Photo Direction: SE Looking southeast along the western property boundary; note Miles House Avenue at right. Bucking Horse Park Ecological Characterization Study 11