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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJEROME STREET STATION - FDP230006 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 2 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT Jerome Street Townhomes Native Habitat Buffer Zone Restoration and Annual Monitoring Plan April 2023 PO Box 272150 Fort Collins, CO 80527 i Table of Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1 2.0 EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS ................................................................................................ 2 3.0 RESTORATION PLAN ................................................................................................................. 3 3.1 Goals and Objectives ................................................................................................................. 3 3.2 Restoration Framework ............................................................................................................ 4 4.0 ANNUAL MONITORING PLAN ................................................................................................... 12 4.1 Schedule ....................................................................................................................................... 12 4.2 Permanent Photo-points ........................................................................................................ 12 4.3 Sampling Methodology ........................................................................................................... 13 4.4 Success Criteria ......................................................................................................................... 13 5.0 LITERATURE CITED AND DATA SOURCES............................................................................ 14 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION The Applicant has proposed the Jerome Street Townhomes development project, which will consist of residential units and parking spaces. There will be a public alley, rain garden, and stormwater retention pond included in the development. The site is located between College Avenue and Jerome Street in Fort Collins, Larimer County, Colorado and consists of an approximately 7.14-acre tract of vacant land which is bordered by the Lake Canal to the south and existing businesses to the west. An Ecological Characterization Study (ECS) was performed in 2020 by Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting, LLC as required by Article 3, Section 3.4.1 of the City of Fort Collins (City) Land Use Code (LUC). The ECS informed the City’s determination that the natural habitats on Site will require the implementation of a Natural Habitat Buffer Zone (NHBZ) to mitigate potential impacts from development on ecological character and quality. An additional evaluation of the NHBZ was performed in March 2023 by Cedar Creek Associates, Inc. (Cedar Creek) to confirm that Site conditions are consistent with those described in the ECS and determine the extent of noxious weed populations on the Site. The Proposed Development Plan (PDP) presents the NHBZ delineations on Site, which have been modified from the standard 50’ stipulated boundaries in accordance with LUC guidelines. Approval of the proposed NHBZ delineation is contingent upon the Applicant completing additional mitigation requirements prescribed by the City’s Environmental Planning Department. This NHBZ Restoration and Annual Monitoring Plan (Plan) presents recommended restoration and monitoring approaches which have been designed to ascertain measurable habitat improvement in the NHBZ. The objective of this Plan is to describe the methods and procedures that will be used to implement restoration, assess establishment and progress of restoration, identify potential issues, and gather information used to inform adaptive management activities. Restoration design for the proposed stormwater drainage pond has been incorporated into this document the extent possible based on the City’s Landscape Design Standards and Guidelines for Stormwater Detention Facilities (2009). Weed management is discussed within the broader context of our proposed approach in this document and detailed more specifically in the Weed Management Plan (Cedar Creek 2023). 2 2.0 EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS Results of 2020 and 2023 field evaluations indicate the majority of the Site can be characterized as non- native grassland and weedy annual species. Near monocultures of smooth brome (Bromus inermis) can be found at the northern and southern end of the sites. A mix of noxious and weedy annual species, dominated by Kochia (Bassia scoparia), is the main cover in the center portion of the site where there is a soil stockpile. There are also a few immature trees scattered throughout the soil stockpiles. Stands of mature plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides) exist along the banks of the Lake Canal to the south. Prairie dogs exist on the Site, with a higher concentration of burrows on the northern end and scattered burrows on the southern end. Noxious weeds observed on Site in 2020 include cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), musk thistle (Carduus nutans), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia), redstem filaree (Erodium cicutarium), leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium) and common mullein (Verbascum thapsus). Existing conditions and management strategies for these species are described in the Weed Management Plan (Cedar Creek 2023). Evidence of past disturbance activities can be found throughout the Site, including drainage swales, unmaintained and revegetated irrigation ditches, former roads/vehicle use, and several berms and/or stockpiles of soil. These formerly disturbed areas have high concentrations of noxious and invasive weeds. Riparian vegetation along Lake Canal, which was dry at the time of the March 2023 evaluation, is dominated primarily by either smooth brome or plains cottonwood. Some native forbs and shrubs are growing on the banks themselves, but they are outcompeted by smooth brome in the adjacent upland areas. The banks along Lake Canal are in overall poor condition, varying between 3-8 feet high and moderately to highly incised along the majority of its length. 3 3.0 RESTORATION PLAN 3.1 Goals and Objectives In accordance with the City of Fort Collins guidelines (LUC 3.4.1) the NHBZ should be managed to: 1. Preserve or enhance the ecological character or function and wildlife use of the natural habitat or feature and to minimize or adequately mitigate the foreseeable impacts of development. 2. Preserve or enhance the existence of wildlife movement corridors between natural habitats and features, both within and adjacent to the Site. 3. Enhance the natural ecological characteristics of the Site. If existing landscaping within the NHBZ is determined by the decision maker to be incompatible with the purposes of the buffer zone, then the applicant shall undertake restoration and mitigation measures such as re-grading and/or the replanting of native vegetation. 4. Provide appropriate human access to natural habitats and features and their associated NHBZ’S in order to serve recreation purposes, provided that such access is compatible with the ecological character or wildlife use of the natural habitat or feature. The restoration approach and monitoring presented in this Plan has been developed to support the meeting of NHBZ goals through evaluation of revegetation establishment and progression. Monitoring results can be used to identify problem areas or potential issues early in the restoration process, inform adaptive management activities (i.e., weed management), and assess progress towards success criteria that are indicative of favorable NHBZ restoration and management. The overall management goal of the NHBZ is preservation of existing conditions. However, when ground disturbance is planned within the NHBZ, the following restoration framework should be implemented to enhance the ecological character of the area. Additionally, guidelines for restoration of the proposed stormwater detention pond have been incorporated into the following process. However, the design of that feature, which includes restoration, design, and engineering components, should be implemented in accordance with the City’s Standards and Guidelines (2009). 4 3.2 Restoration Framework The following is a recommended framework for the restoration of the NHBZ which has been designed to reduce cost, improve the ecological function, and enhance the ecological characteristics of the NHBZ while maintaining flexibility for site-specific conditions. The order of the phases is important and should be adhered to ensure intended results. Phase 1. Creating Opportunity and Reducing Competition Noxious and weedy species are often non-native, aggressive spreaders, and are usually considered undesirable ecologically and aesthetically. If left unmanaged, they can dominate an ecosystem of native and less competitive species. Therefore, creating opportunities for a variety of native species to establish is vital. Some method of vegetation control must be used on the undesirable aggressive species. Typically, mechanical and/or chemical control is used to manage weeds. Mechanical control usually entails scraping or plowing to increase bare ground exposure, which will serve as a seedbed / planting medium. Chemical control entails the use of herbicide to diminish the dominance of undesirable and noxious wee species (see Weed Management Plan). Smooth brome is rhizomatous, spread by wind-driven cross- fertilization to produce seeds, and can propagate vegetatively through tillering and root fragments. Therefore, a chemical treatment is highly recommended prior to initiating mechanical manipulation of soil. Vegetation in the NHBZ is dominated by smooth brome, an aggressive, non-native, perennial grass, interspersed with noxious and weedy forbs. While smooth brome is an undesirable species with regard to biodiversity it does provide excellent soil stability and forage potential for wildlife. Therefore, total eradication of this species may not be necessary, but it should be treated when doing so is beneficial for reducing competition and encouraging the establishment of native vegetation. Phase 2. Soil Preparation The soil surface should be optimized for seeding or planting. The NRCS Web Soil Survey identified the majority of the Site’s soil as clay loam with an associated Ecological Site Description (ESD) of Clayey Plains. An agronomic assessment is recommended to evaluate the chemical and physical properties of the soil throughout the Site, and a required design standard in the location of the proposed stormwater detention pond. This information can be used to determine whether soil amendments (i.e. compost) would benefit the establishing plant communities and allow for optimization of the seed mix to soil conditions. Generally, native plants do not need traditional fertilizer as they are accustomed to low-nutrient soils. However, organic matter added via compost will create favorable ecological conditions for native plants without adding excess nitrogen that could benefit invasive species more than native ones. 5 Planted areas in the stormwater detention pond will require topsoil with appropriate levels of organic matter and should receive imported or stockpiled topsoil to a minimum depth of four inches. Sub-grade should be loosened to a depth of 12 inches total (8” existing sub-grade and 4” of new topsoil) in the stormwater detention pond location and 10 inches throughout the remainder of the Site. Stones, clods, sticks, rubbish, and other matter large enough to impede planting, seeding, or mowing should be collected and removed from the Site. Removed material must be disposed of legally. Repeat cultivation in areas where equipment used for hauling and spreading topsoil has recompacted the soil. Fine grade disturbed areas to a smooth, uniform surface plane. Prior to seeding the soil surface should be firm, to allow for good soil/seed contact. Over-compacted soil can lead to poor soil/seed contact and soil that is too fluffy can result in seed being planted too deep. Roll and rake, remove ridges, and fill depressions to meet surface grades based on grading plans. Phase 3. Seeding and Planting In general, the species used should be native and suitable to the soil and moisture conditions of the Buffer. Seed mixes presented below in Tables 1,2 and 4 are designed to facilitate growth of appropriate and sustainable species and are based on the City’s recommended species. The mixes should be used in the corresponding areas for which they are intended such as the stormwater detention pond, the sandy soiled rain garden, and upland areas. These specialized seed mixes / plant material lists discussed below are designed to optimize edaphic factors, moisture conditions, and native habitat. If changes are to be made to the proposed seed mix based on Site conditions, then approval must be provided by a city Environmental Planner. After final contouring and amendment application/incorporation, seeding should occur as soon as possible to avoid undesirable impacts from wind or precipitation. Seeding can be accomplished using broadcasting, drilling, and hydroseeding techniques wherever applicable. Drilling is the preferred method because seeding rates and depths can be more easily controlled, and seed/soil contact is maximized. Late October through early May is the best time of year to plant native seed in Fort Collins. • For broadcast seeding: the seeding rate should be doubled, seed-to soil contact should be increased immediately through manipulation, which will also provide some protection from wind or water erosion and granivores. Manipulation can be accomplished by either a light disc harrowing perpendicular to the flow of energy (wind and/or water) or hand raking around sensitive areas (i.e. willow patches). • For drill seeding: final drilling pass must occur on the contour, to create subtle ridges perpendicular to the flow of energy. Drill seeding should not be conducted in sensitive areas. 6 • For hydroseeding: use should be limited to steep and/or inaccessible slopes where drilling is not an option. The slope should be roughened to help prevent the hydroseeding mix from washing off the slope, which creates an uneven distribution of seeds. Appropriate native seeding equipment will be used, which does not include standard turf seeding equipment or agriculture equipment. Drill seed the approved mix in two passes, each at a right angles to the other and using half the seed in each pass. Seed should be drilled at the specified application rate and to a depth of ¼ to ½ inch. If areas are too wet or steep to drill seed, broadcast seed in opposite directions at twice the application rate used for drill seeding. Restore fine grade after seeding, and cover seed to a depth of ¼ of an inch by raking or dragging. Firm seeded areas with a roller weighing a maximum of 100 lbs. per foot of width. After hydroseeding, hydromulching should occur as a separate process since mixing seed and mulch will result in poor seed/soil contact. Mulches will benefit most sites that have been hydroseeded and will be most effective when they cover the ground almost completely and are durable enough to remain until seed germination. *Requirements for Seed Mix Use* The contractor is responsible for locating and purchasing all species listed in mix. If a species can’t be located, contractor must replace each missing species with the acceptable substitutions (listed in each seed mix table). Contractor is responsible for providing seed tags to appropriate City Staff. These mixes are based on 70 seeds/ square foot and is only calculated for one acre. These mixes are based on the contractor using a drill seed application. Mix should be doubled if hand broadcasted. Contractor is responsible for calculating the appropriate seed amounts to purchase. Please note that the pounds per acre are in PLS (Pure Live Seed) and must be ordered that way. All materials shall be free of Colorado State noxious weeds as defined in Article III, section 21-40 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins. 7 Upland Seed Mix and Plantings This mix has been designed to create a stable community of native plants that thrive in areas that are dry for most of the growing season. The following native shrubs, sub-shrubs, and succulents are recommended for planting in upland areas, based on the NRCS Web Soil Survey results for the Site: • Fourwing Saltbush (Atriplex canescens) • Rubber Rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa var. nauseosa) • Winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata) • Prairie Sagewort (Artemisia frigida) • Soapweed Yucca (Yucca glauca) Life-form Common Name Scientific Nomenclature PLS / lb.lbs/PLS /acre PLS / ft2 Percent of Mix Plains coreopsis Coreopsis tinctoria 1,400,000 0.17 5.5 8% Purple prairie clover Dalea purpurea 210,000 0.81 3.9 6% Indian blanketflower Gaillardia aristata 132,000 1.85 5.6 8% Rocky Mountain penstemon Penstemon strictus 592,000 0.35 4.8 7% Mexican hat Ratibida columnifera 737,000 0.20 3.4 5% Forb Subtotal 3.38 23.1 34% Indian ricegrass Achnatherum hymenoides 141,000 1.13 3.7 5% Sideoats grama Bouteloua curtipendula 191,000 1.15 5.0 7% Buffalograss Buchloe dactyloides 56,000 3.27 4.2 6% Blue grama Bouteloua gracilis 825,000 0.25 4.7 7% Bottlebrush squirreltail Elymus elymoides 192,000 0.95 4.2 6% Prairie junegrass Koeleria macrantha 2,315,400 0.08 4.3 6% Green needlegrass Nassella viridula 181,000 1.01 4.2 6% Switchgrass Panicum virgatum 389,000 0.71 6.3 9% Western wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii 110,000 1.61 4.1 6% Sand dropseed Sporobolus cryptandrus 5,298,000 0.04 4.9 7% Grasses Subtotal 10.20 45.5 66% Total for Upland Mix 13.58 68.7 PLS / lb.lbs/PLS /acre PLS / ft2 Table 1 Suggested Upland Seed Mix Recommendations Wildflowers/ ForbsGrassesAcceptable Substitutes Fringed sage Artemisia frigida 4,536,000 0.06 6.2 Blue flax Linum lewisii 293,000 0.41 2.8 Prairie aster Machaerantha tanacetifolia 108,000 0.25 0.6Forbs Canada wildrye Elymus canadensis 115,000 1.59 4.2 Inland saltgrass Distichlis spicata 520,000 0.35 4.2 Mountain muhly Muhlenbergia montana 1,500,000 0.11 3.8 Alkali sacaton Sporobolus airoides 1,750,000 0.10 4.0Grasses 8 Stormwater Detention Pond Seed Mix Plant materials, in the form of seeding and planting will be used to restore the disturbed portions of the stormwater detention pond. This mix has been designed for a range of soil types and will result in different community assemblages depending on the soil type. Riparian Plantings Plantings and/or plugs of wetland species is recommended in the stormwater detention pond in the event that inundation or saturation precludes seeding. If necessary, these plantings should be concentrated in areas with high risk of erosion to minimize the risk of soil loss. Planting should also be concentrated where favorable moisture zones are likely to exist. Planting small plugs in the fall is not desirable due to the loss of plants to Canada Geese (Branta canadensis). Subsequent plantings are recommended after initial Common Name Scientific Nomenclature PLS / lb. Recomm d. PLS lbs/ac PLS / ft2 % of Seeds in Mix Plains coreopsis Coreopsis tinctoria 1,400,000 0.17 5.5 7.9% White prairie clover Dalea candida 210,000 0.65 3.1 4.5% Purple prairie clover Dalea purpurea 210,000 0.81 3.9 5.7% Indian blanketflower Gaillardia aristata 132,000 1.85 5.6 8.1% Mexican hat Ratibida columnifera 737,000 0.20 3.4 4.9% Forbs Subtotal 3.68 21.5 31.1% Indian ricegrass Achnatherum hymenoides 141,000 1.13 3.7 5.3% Sideoats grama Bouteloua curtipendula 191,000 1.15 5.0 7.3% Buffalograss Bouteloua dactyloides 56,000 3.27 4.2 6.1% Blue grama Bouteloua gracilis 825,000 0.25 4.7 6.9% Inland saltgrass Distichlis spicata 520,000 0.35 4.2 6.1% Bottlebrush squirreltail Elymus elymoides 192,000 0.95 4.2 6.1% Streambank wheatgrass Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus 156,000 1.36 4.9 7.1% Prairie junegrass Koeleria macrantha 2,315,400 0.08 4.3 6.2% Green needlegrass Nasella viridula 181,000 1.00 4.2 6.0% Western wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii 110,000 1.61 4.1 5.9% Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium 260,000 0.7 4.2 6.1% Grasses Subtotal 11.85 47.5 68.9% Total for Detention Mix 15.53 69.0 PLS / lb.lbs/PLS /acre PLS / ft2 Table 2 Suggested Detention Basin Mix Acceptable Substitutes Recommendations Wildflowers/ ForbsGrassesBlue flax Linum lewisiii 170,000 0.83 3.2 Prairie aster Machaeranthera tanacetifolia 408,000 0.49 4.6 Black-eyed susan Rudbeckia hirta 1,710,000 0.14 5.5Forbs Salt and pepper grass Deschampsia caespitosa 1,300,000 0.07 2.1 Slender wheatgrass Elymus trachycaulus 159,000 1.36 5.0 Six weeks fescue Vulpia octoflora 965,000 0.19 4.2Grasses 9 establishment and when weeds are controlled (2-5 growing seasons after initial construction). These plantings can be concentrated in areas needing additional erosion control protection and/or bare areas. Planting or seeding of native shrubs should occur to provide structural diversity to the stormwater detention pond. Riparian woody plant materials (trees and shrubs) are appropriate for planting within the riparian / mesoriparian / xeroriparian because seeding is generally not appropriate for revegetating trees and shrubs. If possible, woody plants that are pre-inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and/or other beneficial microbes should be requested. The following types of riparian woody plant material are commercially available: B&B, plugs, bare root, and containers. Cuttings are the least expensive way to easily install riparian trees and shrubs and generally include cottonwoods and willows such as the sandbar willow. Willows can be planted around the perimeter of inundated areas while riparian trees and most other riparian shrubs are planted in adjacent mesic areas but away from standing water so that the plants roots are not in fully inundated water conditions. A list of suitable species is presented in Table 3, but species to be used should be approved by a City Environmental Planner. Sandy Rain Garden Seed Mix To optimize revegetation performance on the rain garden, Table 4 presents a seed mix optimized for mesic sandy conditions. Table 3 Suggested Riparian Plantings Common Name Scientifc Nomenclature Boxelder Acer negundo Narrowleaf cottonwood Populus angustifolia Plains cottonwood Populus deltoides Peachleaf willow Salix amygdaloides American plum Prunus americana Chokecherry Prunus virginiana Goldent currant Ribes aureum Redosier dogwood Cornus sericea Sandbar willow Salix exigua Skunkbrush sumac Rhus trilobata Snowberry Symphoricarpos occidentalis Wax currant Ribes cereum Wood's rose Rosa woodsii Riparian Trees Riparian Shrubs 10 Phase 4. Maintenance and Management Maintenance and management activities should be implemented to ensure success of the ecological restoration project. After seeding, the area shall be covered with crimped straw, jute mesh, or other appropriate soil surface stabilization methods. Straw mulch should be certified weed-free hay or certified weed-free straw with no seed heads. In the stormwater drainage area, natural fiber blankets are recommended, as synthetic blankets can entangle reptiles and amphibians in aquatic habitats. Routine inspections for erosion should be performed during the time between seeding and vegetation establishment to ensure that no excessive erosion features form on the project area. Supplemental Irrigation A temporary irrigation system will be used after seeding to aid germination in the NHBZ. This will help establish native plants more quickly and speed up the restoration process, but care should be taken to Life- form Common Name Scientific Nomenclature PLS / lb.lbs/PLS /acre PLS / ft2 Percent of Mix Western yarrow Achillea millefolium 2,770,000 0.02 1.3 2% Purple prairie clover Dalea purpurea 290,000 0.30 2.0 3% Blanket flower Gaillardia aristata 220,000 0.50 2.5 4% Rocky Mountain Penstemon strictus 490,000 0.10 1.1 2% Mexican hat Ratibida columnifera 1,200,000 0.10 2.8 4% Forbs Subtotal 1.02 9.7 15% Sand bluestem Andropogon hallii 113,000 2.00 5.2 8% Blue grama Bouteloua gracilis 825,000 0.50 9.5 15% Canada wildrye Elymus canadensis 114,000 2.00 5.2 8% Switchgrass Panicum virgatum 389,000 1.50 13.4 21% Western wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii 110,000 4.00 10.1 16% Yellow Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans 175,000 2.00 8.0 12% Alkali sacaton Sporobolus airoides 1,750,000 0.10 4.0 6% Grasses Subtotal 12.10 55.4 85% Total For Rain Garden mix 13.12 65.1 PLS / lb.lbs/PLS /acre PLS / ft2Acceptable SubstitutesWildflowers/ ForbsGrassesRecommendations Table 4 Suggested Rain Garden Seed Mix Showy milkweed Asclepias speciosa 170,000 0.83 3.2 Blue flax Linum lewisiii 170,000 0.83 3.2 Blue vervain Verbena hastata 1,600,000 0.10 3.7 Indian ricegrass Achnatherum hymenoides 141,000 1.13 3.7Forbs Sideoats grama Bouteloua curtipendula 191,000 1.15 5.0 Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium 260,000 0.70 4.2 Sand dropseed Sporobolus cryptandrus 5,200,000 0.10 11.9Grasses 11 avoid the potential drawbacks of supplemental water. Excessive supplemental irrigation can have substantial effects on the trajectory of the establishing plant community that can negatively affect Site diversity and self-sustainability (USFS 1984). For example, supplemental water can negate important Site characteristics such as micro-topographic features, while also providing a competitive advantage to sod- forming or more quickly growing species (annual weeds), leading to decreased structural diversity throughout the Site. Mowing Mowing during revegetation establishment will help reduce competition from annual weeds. Properly timed mowing can suppress nuisance weeds while favoring desired plants. Timing is based primarily on the growth stage of the plants to be mowed and secondarily on the growth stage of the desired plants. Mowing is necessary to limit seed production and allow sunlight to reach desirable plants, which are often shorter in stature than weedy nuisance species. However, mowing too close to the ground may result in greater soil desiccation because of the lack of soil cover. The timing of mowing will largely depend on growing conditions and dominance of annual weeds and should be based on inspection by a qualified revegetation specialist. A stubble height of at least four inches should be left to ensure that desirable grasses and forbs are not negatively impacted. Mowing certain species of weeds (i.e. thistles), can have the opposite of the desired effect and actually increase seed production. Weed Management The Weed Management Plan (Cedar Creek 2023) provided for the Site will be implemented to ensure that weeds are properly managed before, during, and after seeding activities. Overall, the contractor shall monitor seeded area for erosion control, germination, and reseeding as needed to establish cover. 12 4.0 ANNUAL MONITORING PLAN The Applicant will be responsible for ensuring execution of the monitoring and reporting protocol described below. 4.1 Schedule The NHBZ will be surveyed twice a year on the following schedule: 1. In the spring, a qualified ecologist will traverse the entirety of the Site to assess noxious weed populations prior to implementation of management strategies. This effort will result in optimized and targeted weed control efforts and provide sufficient time to manage weeds prior to seed production. 2. At the peak of growing season, a qualified ecologist will implement the quantitative procedure described in section 4.2 to measure ground cover within the NHBZ. The ecologist will also traverse the entirety of the Site to identify potential problems or issues with restoration. During these traverses, the observer will take note of: areas of poor seedling emergence, indicators of soil fertility problems, noxious weeds or invasive plant infestation, expectations for noxious weed seeding/flowering, excessive erosion, untreated cattail populations in the stormwater detention pond, and any other similar revegetation / restoration related issues (if observed). Annual monitoring will continue for a total of three years following restoration of the NHBZ. A brief memo containing survey findings and recommendations will be provided to the City of Fort Collins by September 30th of each year. This will give the City of Fort Collins and the applicant ample time to discuss and implement adaptive management to address any underperforming areas prior to when on-the-ground treatment implementation would be needed, if determined necessary. 4.2 Permanent Photo-points A total of 5 permanent photo-points (marked with GPS coordinates) will be established to visually catalog vegetation progress. Photo-points should be distributed so that each ecosystem type in the NHBZ has a number of points respective of the relative size of the area. Photo-points should be determined in the field at a location representative of the NHBZ area, each location marked with GPS coordinates, and each designated with a number which will remain consistent throughout the 3-year monitoring period. Each photo-point should be documented during the summer evaluation at the peak of the growing season, for each of the annual monitoring efforts that will follow restoration. At each point, four photos will be collected, one each in a cardinal compass direction (N-E-S-W), using a photo board that is visible in each frame to indicate the photo-point number. 13 4.3 Sampling Methodology Cover sampling will be conducted at a minimum of 10 sample points in the restored areas of the NHBZ to assess progress towards standards. At each sample point, ground cover will be measured using 10-meter line point intercept transects. Sample locations will be determined randomly prior to field evaluation. Upon reaching the sample point, the transect will be implemented and vegetative ground cover will be recorded by species. All species, including noxious and invasive species, and their respective percent ground cover will be recorded. In addition, percent cover of litter, rock, and bare ground exposure will be estimated and recorded; when summed with vegetation estimates, these will produce 100% coverage of ground cover at each sample point. 4.4 Success Criteria During the third year of annual monitoring, a determination of successful establishment in the NHBZ will be made by City Environmental Planning Department based on a Site surveys and vegetative performance compared to success criteria. The developer and/or landscape contractor is responsible for adequate seedling coverage and growth at the time of final stabilization, as defined by state and local agencies. Restored vegetation communities will be considered established when an effort to achieve the NHBZ goals has been demonstrated through mitigation and/or restoration efforts and all of the following are met: 1. 70% total vegetative cover (excluding noxious weeds) is reached with no bare spots larger than one square-foot; 2. 80% survival of planted woody species; 3. Noxious weeds do not exceed 10% total cover, and; 4. Effective erosion protection. City Environmental Planning Department has the authority to deem revegetation established in lieu of meeting success criteria, as well as withhold approval despite meeting success criteria, if they so choose. If final stabilization is not achieved to the satisfaction of the agency, the developer and/or landscape contractor shall be responsible for additional corrective measures to satisfy final vegetative requirements for closeout. 14 5.0 LITERATURE CITED AND DATA SOURCES Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting, LLC. 2020. Ecological Characterization Study for Old Town North. September, 2020. City of Fort Collins. 2009. City of Fort Collins Landscape Design Standards and Guidelines for Stormwater and Detention Facilities. November 5, 2009. City of Fort Collins. 2022. City of Fort Collins Land Use Code. March 1, 2022. City of Fort Collins. 2018. Tips and Techniques on Establishing Native Seed. April, 2018. Cedar Creek Associates, Inc. 2023. Jerome Street Townhomes Weed Management Plan. March, 2023. United States Forest Service (USFS). 1984. Brown, D.; Hallman, R.G. Reclaiming Disturbed Lands.