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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEVEN GENERATIONS MULTIFAMILY - FDP230008 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ECS REPORT 937 Mallard Drive, Ft. Collins, CO 80521 * (970) 224-0851 * www.bluemountainenvironmental.com June 27, 2022 Cragon Sims Black Timber Builders 417 Jefferson Street Fort Collins, CO 80524 RE: 3221 Eastbrook Drive Ecological Characterization Study Mr. Sims: 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). This report is required by the City of Fort Collins Community Development and Neighborhood Services Department. The proposed 3221 Eastbrook Dr Multi-Family Dwellings project includes the construction of two- and three-story condominiums and associated parking on the property. The property is located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Eastbrook Drive and Vermont Drive in Fort Collins, Colorado. The site was visited by Craig Severn (Ecologist) with Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting on June 10, 2022. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. Sincerely, Matt Tobler Natural Resource Specialist Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting, LLC 3221 Eastbrook Dr Ecological Characterization Study  2 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 on the property is associated with a short reach of Foothills Channel, a small perennial creek that flows approximately 1.25 miles to the northeast to confluence with the Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet canal. Approximately 250 feet of open-water channel with a narrow wetland fringe is located along the western edge of the property. This reach is undeveloped with a natural bottom that appears to have been recently dredged and cleared of bushy growth along the east bank. The reach of the creek immediately downstream of the property has a trickle channel until it passes under South Timberlines Road, where the channel then appears to have a natural bottom until its confluence with the Fossil Creek Reservoir Inlet canal. Immediately west of the property is an active railroad alignment for the Union Pacific Railroad where three culverts pass under the railroad. One culvert contains the creek flow, the other two are for higher flows. To the west of the railroad alignment the creek channel, passing through a small pond, continues for 0.5 miles southwest where it forks. The southerly branch heads southwest for a short distance before going underground to Warren Lake. The northerly branch heads west for approximately 0.9 miles and ends at Stanford Road. Areas along the Foothills Channel described above are owned and managed by the City of Fort Collins as open areas. The riparian corridor found along reaches of the creek both on and near the property support both coniferous and deciduous trees that provide nesting, perching and foraging opportunities for numerous bird species. Other nocturnal animals may use the grassed understory areas of this riparian area for foraging or hunting small mammals. The remaining portion of the property is an undeveloped lot surrounded by an existing parking lot and a multi-business office complex. Vegetation in this area is a mix of forbs and grasses providing cover and food for various small mammals, birds and invertebrates. Three bald eagle nests have been mapped by Colorado Parks and Wildlife along the Cache la Poudre River corridor northeast of the property, ranging from 1.5 to 2 miles away. Bald eagle foraging and concentration areas associated with the river have also been mapped near the nests. Bald eagles have been delisted but are protected by the Bald Eagle Protection Act. Great blue heron foraging areas and white-tailed deer concentration areas have also been mapped in this reach of the Cache la Poudre River. 3221 Eastbrook Dr Ecological Characterization Study  3 1.2 Wetlands A narrow, fringe wetland exists along both banks of the reach of Foothills Channel located along the western edge of the property. Wetland vegetation included reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), narrow-leaf cattail (Typha angustifolia), curly dock (Rumex crispus) and narrow- leaf willow (Salix exigua). Several eastern cotttonwoods (Populus deltoides) and peach-leaf willow (Salix amygdaloides) were also observed along the banks. Wetland vegetation transitions to uplands dominated by smooth brome (Bromus inermis). Mapping by the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) identifies this reach of Foothills Channel as R4SBC (riverine intermittent streambed seasonally flooded) (USFWS 2022a) (Note: NWI mapping only approximates the current location of Foothills Channel). A flowing open-water channel was present at the time of the site visit. The ordinary high-water mark, wetland/upland boundary and top of bank were delineated and mapped (Natural Habitat and Features Map, Appendix A). 1.3 Prominent Views Prominent views are not visible from the property due to its position in a broad valley and to the presence of a stand of tall trees to the west of the property blocking views of the foothills to the west. 1.4 Native Trees and Vegetation Native vegetation in the riparian area includes eastern cottonwood, narrow-leaf cottonwood (Populus angustifolia), narrow-leaf willow, peach-leaf willow, narrow-leaf cattail, snowberry (Symphoricarpos sp.), currant (Ribes sp.), choke cherry (Prunus vriginiana) and curly dock. Native vegetation in the vacant lot is western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii). 1.5 Non-native Trees and Vegetation Non-native trees observed on the property include Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia). Blue spruce (Picea pungens), native to Colorado but not the area, and several species of landscape juniper (Juniperus sp.) were also observed. Many of the species noted above were planted in the past as landscape trees and shrubs around the perimeter of the parking lot. Non-native herbaceous species include reed canarygrass, alfalfa (Medicago sativa), salsify (Tragopogon dubius) and smooth brome. Noxious weeds observed include field bindweed (Convolvulus arvense), leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) and Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense). 3221 Eastbrook Dr Ecological Characterization Study  4 1.6 Bank, Shoreline and High Water Mark of Perennial Water The western portion of the property associated with Foothills Channel is within the City of Fort Collins Floodplain (From http://www.fcgov.com/utilities/what-we- do/stormwater/flooding/floodplain-maps-documents, accessed on June 16, 2022). The Creek appears to have perennial flows. 1.7 Sensitive and Specially Valued Species A list of potential threatened and endangered species was obtained for Larimer County from the USFWS ECOS-IPaC website June 22, 2022 (USFWS 2022b). A total of 16 threatened, endangered or candidate species were identified. All species that could not occur on the property based on range, elevation or habitat requirements were removed from consideration. The remaining species with potential to exist on the property are the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) and Ute ladies' tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis). There are no known occurrences for these sensitive or specially valued species on the property. According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service technician Craig Hansen, all trapping for the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse in Fort Collins has been negative. Typical habitat for Preble's meadow jumping mouse is composed of well-developed riparian vegetation with adjacent, relatively undisturbed grassland communities and a nearby water source. These riparian areas should include a relatively dense combination of grasses, forbs and shrubs. Site conditions on the property do not represent ideal habitat, and it is Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting’s opinion that there would be no impact to Preble’s meadow jumping mouse if the property is developed. Similarly, it is our opinion that the Ute lady’s tresses orchid does not occur on the site because the wetland area has been degraded by past dredging and shrub clearing activities. The closest known occurrences of the orchid is near the northwest boundary of Fort Collins. The orchid was not observed on the property when completing field reviews and the wetland delineation. 1.8 Special Habitat Features The Natural Habitat and Features Map provided by the City of Fort Collins has classified the riparian area along Foothills Channel as Aquatic and Emergent Wetland. 1.9 Wildlife Migration Corridors Wildlife corridors passing through the property are associated with Foothills Channel, providing access to the Cache la Poudre River corridor to the northeast, and with the railroad ROW, providing access to the Fossil Creek area to the south. Gaps in fencing along the west side of the railroad alignment, the bike/pedestrian tunnel under the railroad and culverts all provide pathways for the movement of wildlife through the area. 3221 Eastbrook Dr Ecological Characterization Study  5 1.10 General Ecological Functions The property provides some opportunities for nesting passerine birds in the many trees on and adjacent to the property and for nesting and feeding by small mammals. Foothills Channel provides water to wildlife in the area. The property is located at the intersection of two migration corridors associated with the Foothills Channel and the railroad ROW. 1.11 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. To the greatest extent possible, avoid site activities between April 1 and August 15. 1.12 Mitigation Measures 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 buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides), blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) and other native species for landscapes where possible.  Utilize semi-permeable surfaces on parking areas in accordance with city regulations to reduce stormwater runoff and facilitate groundwater infiltration.  In compliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, avoid site activities during the 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. If a nest is unoccupied it may be removed or disrupted during this time frame.  Control erosion during site activities and eradicate any State-listed noxious weeds that occur after site activities are complete.  Mitigate tree removal per City requirements; note that an updated Forest Inventory may be necessary.  Utilize wildlife friendly lighting adjacent to open space areas. Follow these lighting principals: o Low – mount lights as low as possible and set wattage as low as possible o Shielded – use fixtures that shield bulb/lens from from emitting light toward Foothills Channel o Long – use only long wavelength light (560nm or longer) bulbs (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 2019). 3221 Eastbrook Dr Ecological Characterization Study  6 2.0 Conclusions and Recommendations If a 50-foot buffer is established from the “Top of Bank” that was surveyed and mapped (See Natural Habitat and Features Map in Appendix A), the riparian area of Foothills Channel will not be impacted by development of the property. Approximately 1.25 acres will be impacted by development. This area, which is now vegetated with alfalfa, smooth brome, western wheatgrass and several weedy species is likely currently used by small mammals, birds and invertebrates. se of this area by wildlife will be eliminated by this development. References City of Fort Collins Floodplain Maps and Documents. http://www.fcgov.com/utilities/what-we- do/stormwater/flooding/floodplain-maps-documents Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 2019. Wildlife Lighting Criteria. Available at: https://myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/lighting/criteria/. Accessed June 2022. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2022a. National Wetlands Inventory. Available at: http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/data/Data-Download.html. Accessed June 2022 ———. 2022b. Larimer County, Colorado, Natural Resources of Concern. IPaC, Information for Planning and Consultation. Available at: https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/location/. Accessed June 2022. 3221 Eastbrook Dr Ecological Characterization Study  7 Appendix A: Project Maps 8 Photo Point 937 Mallard Drive, Ft. Collins, CO 80521 * (970) 224-0851 * www.bluemountainenvironmental.com Appendix B: Site Photos 10 Map Number: 1 Photo Direction: North View to the north from southeast corner of property. Map Number: 2 Photo Direction: West View to the west from the southeast corner of property. 11 Map Number: 3 Photo Direction: North View to the north from the southwest corner of parking area. Map Number: 4 Photo Direction: North East View to the west from the southwest corner of parking area looking across vacant lot. 12 Map Number: 5 Photo Direction: North View to the north from the southwest corner of property. Map Number: 6 Photo Direction: North View to the north looking downstream from the upper reach of the creek bordering the western edge of the property. The railroad ROW is to the left in photo.