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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJEROME STREET STATION - FDP230006 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ECS REPORT 937 Mallard Drive, Ft. Collins, CO 80521 * (970) 224-0851 * www.bluemountainenvironmental.com September 21, 2020 Russell Baker Black Timber Land Company 417 Jefferson St Fort Collins, CO 80524 RE: Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study Mr. Baker: 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 southwest of the intersection of Suniga Drive and Jerome Street in Fort Collins, Colorado (Larimer County parcel number 9701370001 and 9701319002). This report is required by the City of Fort Collins Community Development and Neighborhood Services Department due to the project’s proximity to Josh Aims Ditch (Lake Canal). The property was visited by Matt Tobler of Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting on September 14, 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 Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 2 1.0 Project Background Black Timber Land Company proposes to construct a mixed-use development at the property that will include approximately 212 residential units, 3,000 square feet of retail space and 346 parking spaces. Site maps are provided in Appendix A; site photos are provided in Appendix B. The property occurs within a matrix of residential and commercial developments. It is presently undeveloped and used to stockpile soil. 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. 2.1 Wildlife Due to the property’s suburban location and human disturbance level, value to wildlife is moderate to low. The property is primarily an open grassland with a few scattered immature trees at its center. Riparian forest adjacent to the Josh Aims Ditch occurs along the southern property boundary and provides vertical structure, thermal cover and movement or escape habitat for a variety of wildlife species. Soils are friable, which is favorable for plant growth, but vegetation is heavily disturbed across the majority of the site. Prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) and burrows are present. Most wildlife use (with the exception of prairie dog activity and associated predation) is expected to be transitional as animals travel along the Josh Aims Ditch. Seasonal and/or year-round wildlife use of the property can currently 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 migrant passerine species. Raptors may utilize the site primarily for hunting rodents and small birds. 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 According the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetland Inventory, riverine and riparian forest wetlands are associated with the Josh Aims Ditch. These wetland features occur south of the top of bank associated with the ditch. An Army Corps of Engineers wetland delineation was not conducted because development activities are not proposed to occur within 50 feet of the top of bank feature. Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 3 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, east and west are of commercial buildings and mufti-family residential developments. Foreground views to the south are of the riparian forest associated with Josh Aims Ditch. Mid-ground views are obscured by the foreground in all directions. 2.4 Vegetation Vegetative composition at the property is reflective of historical disturbance; early seral, exotic and noxious plants dominate the landscape. Smooth brome (Bromus inermis) is abundant near the northern and southern property boundaries while early seral forb species dominate the central portion of the property on and around the soil stock pile. Mature cottonwood (Populus deltoides) trees are abundant on the banks of the Josh Aims Ditch. Species composition and origin are detailed in the table below. Dominant species, based on ocular estimation, are also indicted. Table 1. Species composition of the Old Town North property. Common Name Scientific Name Dominant Origin Noxious Trees Boxelder Acer negundo Native Russian olive Elaeagnus angustifolia Exotic Yes Plains cottonwood Populus deltoides Yes Native Crack willow Salix fragilis Exotic Siberian elm Ulmus pumila Exotic Shrubs Rubber rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus nauseosus Native Forbs Common milkweed Asclepias syriaca Native Kochia Bassia scoparia Yes Exotic Musk thistle Carduus nutans Yes Exotic Yes Lambsquarters Chenopodium album Yes Exotic Canada thistle Cirsium arvense Exotic Yes Morning glory Convolvulus arvensis Exotic Yes Horseweed Conyza canadensis Yes Native Flixweed Descurainia sophia Native Storks bill Erodium cicutarium Exotic Yes Leafy spurge Euphorbia esula Exotic Yes Curlycup gumweed Grindelia squarrosa Naïve Prairie sunflower Helianthus petiolaris Native Prickly lettuce Lactuca serriola Yes Exotic Yellow sweet clover Melilotus officinalis Yes Exoic Scotch thistle Onopordum acanthium Yes Exotic Yes Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 4 Curly doc Rumex crispus Exotic Russian thistle Salsola iberica Yes Exotic Yellow salsify Tragopogon dubius Exotic Common mullein Verbascum thapsus Exotic Yes Grasses Crested wheatgrass Agropyron cristatum Exotic Intermediate wheatgrass Agropyron trichophorum Exotic Blue grama Bouteloua gracilis Naive Smooth brome Bromus inermis Yes Exotic Cheatgrass Bromus tectorum Yes Exotic Canada wildrye Elymus canadensis Native Western wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii Native 2.5 Bank, Shoreline and High Water Mark of Perennial Water According to the Larimer County Land Information Locator, Larimer County IT, Enterprise GIS, the property is within a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 100-year floodplain; it occurs on FEMA Map Panel 08069CO977G. It also appears on the City of Fort Collins Risk Map (Draft). A top of bank feature is associated with the Josh Aims Ditch. 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 any of these three species on or near the property. The prairie dog burrows can provide nesting habitat for burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia), which are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and are listed as a threatened species in Colorado. Raptor stick nests were not observed in mature trees on or near the property but may become apparent after trees have dropped their leaves. 2.7 Special Habitat Features The City of Fort Collins Natural Habitats and Features map provided in Appendix A indicates aquatic and riparian forests associated with the Josh Aims Ditch, which flows west to east along the southern property boundary. The current development proposal will retain and buffer these features. Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 5 2.8 Wildlife Migration Corridors Wildlife are likely to move east and west along the riparian forest, which provides abundant cover year round, and the Josh Aims Ditch, which provides water during the growing season. Movement of wildlife within the property and to adjoining properties to the north is less likely due to habitat fragmentation and disturbance. The Josh Aims Ditch connects with the Poudre River to the west, which, in the broadest context, is a prominent feature that accommodates wildlife movement in the area. 2.9 General Ecological Functions The riparian forest along the southern property boundary and associated grassy areas provide habitat for a variety of wildlife while stabilizing banks along the irrigation ditch. At present, the property supports prairie dogs that cultivate soil, create denning habitat and are fodder for a variety of predatory species. The remainder of the property, however, has limited value. Ecological function is impaired by dirt access roads and a large dirt stock pile. Historical disturbances have resulted in the proliferation of early seral, exotic and noxious species. While there is wildlife habitat and connectivity along the Josh Aims Dich, areas to the north of this property are fragmented and developed with limited to no value. 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 the mitigation measures outlined below regarding site activities. Also note that many of the noxious weeds observed on the property are annuals or biennials that can be controlled by mowing prior to seed head development in early to mid-summer. 2.11 Mitigation Measures Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting recommends the following mitigation measures: • Survey for ground nesting birds 10 days prior to construction if activities are proposed to occur between March 15 and August 15 of each year. Also survey for nesting raptors during the same time period. Note that federal and local restrictions may apply. • Survey for burrowing owls (per Colorado Parks and Wildlife guidelines) if construction activities are proposed between March 15 and October 31 each year. Note that federal and local restrictions may apply. • A prairie dog management plan may be required by the City of Fort Collins prior to site disturbance. • Establish native, xeric, cool- and warm-season grasses and forbs to reduce water Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 6 consumption in landscaped areas and create pollinator habitat; maintain existing cottonwood trees and establish additional deciduous and coniferous trees within landscapes. • Manage noxious species with integrated methods that include mechanical, and cultural treatments. • Utilize semi-permeable surfaces on roads and walkways where possible to promote stormwater infiltration and groundwater recharge. • Remove all trash, litter and debris from the site. • Retain a 50-foot buffer to the north of the riparian forest as proposed in the site plan. References City of Fort Collins Floodplain Maps and Documents, accessed on September 15, 2020, http://www.fcgov.com/utilities/what-we-do/stormwater/flooding/floodplain-maps- documents. Larimer County Land Information Locator, Larimer County IT, Enterprise GIS, accessed on September 16, 2020, https://maps1.larimer.org/gvh/?Viewer=LIL&run=Theme&theme=Land%20Information &run=Parcel&parcel. National Wetland Inventory Mapper, accessed on September 16, 2020, http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper.html. Recommended Buffer Zones and Seasonal Restrictions for Colorado Raptors, accessed on September 15, 2020, https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/WildlifeSpecies/LivingWithWildlife/RaptorBufferGui delines2008.pdf. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetland Inventory, accessed September 16, 2020, https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/data/mapper.html. Wildlife Management Guidelines, City of Fort Collins, accessed on May, 1, 2020, http://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/pdf/wildlife-management-guidelines.pdf. Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 7 Appendix A: Project Maps Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 8 Old Town North – Block 1 Site Map Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 9 Natural Habitats and Features Map Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 10 Appendix B: Site Photos Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 11 Location: NW Corner Photo Direction: East Looking east along Suniga Road and the northern property boundary. Vegetation to the left of center was recently restored to native blue grama at the conclusion of road construction. Location: NW Corner Photo Direction: South Looking south along the western property boundary. Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 12 Location: Property Center Photo Direction: North Looking north from the center of the property at soil stockpiles. Location: Property Center Photo Direction: East Looking east towards Jarome Street and the adjacent residential community. Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 13 Location: Property Center Photo Direction: South Looking south towards the riparian forest associated with Josh Aims Ditch. Location: Property Center Photo Direction: West Looking west from the center of the property along a dirt access road. Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 14 Location: Southern Border Photo Direction: North Looking north from between the eastern and western parcels. Location: Southern Border Photo Direction: East Looking east along the Josh Aims Ditch. Old Town North Ecological Characterization Study 15