HomeMy WebLinkAboutHARMONY MARKET PUD, SAM'S CLUB EXPANSION - MAJOR AMENDMENT - 54-87AH - CORRESPONDENCE - WETLANDS DOCUMENTS• 0
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Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC
an ecology and environment company
January 9, 2004
Ted Shepard
Department of Current Planning
City of Fort Collins
281 North College Avenue
Fort Collins, Colorado 80522
RE: Harmony Market PUD, Sam's Club Expansion Wetlands
Dear Mr. Shepard:
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At the request of Mr. Troy Kelts of Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., I conducted a
wetland evaluation of the project site noted above. The issue is an area of wetland
vegetation (cattails) that has developed in an onsite detention basin behind the existing
Sam's Club and would be impacted by proposed expansion of the store. Aside from the
cattails, the basin is dominated by manicured lawn grasses.
I am Senior Ecologist with Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC, of
Boulder, Colorado, and am approved for wetland delineations by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE). I have attached a resume for your information.
During my site survey in early December 2003, 1 observed two areas of wetland
vegetation in the detention basin: a larger area approximately of 2,600 square feet in the
western part and a smaller area of approximately 1,400 square feet in the eastern part.
Both areas were dominated by cattails, with an abrupt transition to adjacent lawn
grasses. It was obvious that the source of sustaining hydrology for both areas was
incidental stormwater runoff from adjacent impervious surfaces associated with the retail
center. It also appeared that any runoff from the detention basin would have a tortuous
and discontinuous path to any stream.
My conclusion is that the combined 4,000 square feet of wetlands would not be deemed
by USACE to be jurisdictional under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and therefore
would need authorization from USACE prior to any placement of fill or other impact.
This conclusion is based on the apparent isolation of the wetland areas. Accordingly,
have recommended that Kimley-Horn label these as "non -jurisdictional wetlands" on
their submittals to the City.
If USACE were to consider the wetlands jurisdictional, the very small area involved
would allow them to authorize any impacts under a Nationwide Permit (e.g., NWP 39)
without a requirement for in -kind replacement or other mitigation. This conclusion is
based on the total area of 0.092 acres (4,000 square feet), which is below the 0.1-acre
threshold for requiring mitigation. The threshold for a Nationwide Permit (versus an
Individual Permit) is 0.5 acres. I am submitting a Wetland Delineation Support to
USACE seeking their concurrence with the conclusions presented above.
Fort Collins Office: 2629 Redwing Road Suitc 280 Fort Collins, Colorado • 80526-2879 • Phone (970) 223-5655 • FAX (970) 223-8577
Corporate Office: 4888 Pearl East Circle Suite 108 Boulder, Colorado • 80301-2475 • Phone (303) 443-3282 • FAX (303) 443-0367
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Letter to Mr. Ted Shepard, City of Fort Collins, Colorado
RE: Harmony Market PUD, Sam's Club Expansion Wetlands January 9, 2004
Please call me if you have questions concerning my conclusions.
Sincerely,
N
Allen B. Crockett, Ph.D.
Senior Ecologist
cc: Mr. Troy Kelts
Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
950 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1050
Denver, Colorado 80202
303-228-2300
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Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC
an ecology and environment company
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