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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReports - Environmental - 01/24/2025 CTLITHOMPSON November 26, 2024 Revised January 24, 2025 The Szanton Company 720 South Colorado Boulevard 131h Floor, North Tower Denver, Colorado 80246 Attention: Mr. Carl Szanton Subject: Ecological Characterization Study 302 Conifer Street Fort Collins, Colorado, 80524 Project No. FC11,009.000-240-1-1 R INTRODUCTION CTLIThompson, Inc. (CTLIT) has been retained by The Szanton Company to conduct an Ecological Characterization Study per Fort Collins Land Use Code Article 5 Section 6 (D) (1)for the 1.17 acre property located at 302 Conifer Street in Fort Collins, Larimer County, Colorado 80246, hereto referred to as the Subject Property or Property. The Subject Property is Larimer County Parcel No. 9701311013 and generally falls within the Northeast '/4 of the Southwest % of Township 7 North, Range 69 West of the 61h Principal Meridian. The Property location is pre- sented on Figure 1 — Property Map. Upon request, this letter has been revised to include supplemental analysis which was not contracted under the original scope. The drainage ditch to the east of the Property has been further evaluated using an abbreviated version of the Functional Assessment of Colorado Wetlands (FACWet) Method to assess its suitability to function as a wildlife movement corridor. Based on variables discussed under heading IX—Wildlife Movement Corridors, we believe the drainage immediately east-adjacent to the Property is generally non-functioning to functioning- impaired as a potential wildlife corridor. Therefore, we don't believe this feature is considered a feature or resource of concern in need of a buffer zone per City of Fort Collins Land Use Code. RECORDS REVIEW A records review was conducted to gather information and assist in the evaluation of po- tential natural biological resources within the property. The records review entailed an evalua- tion of online resources and publications to determine the presence or potential occurrence of important natural and biological resources. This records review included: • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Federally Listed and Proposed Endan- gered, Threatened, and Candidate Species and Critical Habitat as identified by the USFWS Information, Planning, and Conservation System (IPaC) Official Species List and Critical Habitat Mapper; • Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) protected species as identified on the IPAC Trust Resources Report; • Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Threatened and Endangered Species List and High Priority Habitat database (SB181); CTLIThompson, Inc. Denver, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Glenwood Springs, Pueblo, Summit County—Colorado Chevenne, Wyoming and Bozeman, Montana • City's Natural Areas Species of Concern list (Restoration Plan 2016-2025, 2016); • The City's Land Use Code (Article 5, Section 6); • The City's Natural Habitat and Features Inventory Map (2000); • USFWS National Wetlands Inventory (NWI); and • US Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Web Soil Survey. IN-PERSON OBSERVATIONS We performed a Subject Property visit at approximately 9:00 am on November 21, 2024 to gather ecological information about the Subject Property and surrounding area. The following provides a summary of the information required by Fort Collins Land Use Code under Article 5 Section 6 (D) (1) I —Wildlife Use Wildlife does not appear to currently utilize the Subject Property. There are no trees or surface water features on the Subject Property. Abandoned prairie dog burrows indicate that prairie dogs formerly utilized the Property as habitat. Additionally, ground nesting migratory birds may utilize the site for nesting during the migratory bird breeding season (generally March through August) although low-lying vegetation makes this slightly less likely. Additionally, burrowing owls may utilize the abandoned prairie dog burrows as nesting habitat during their breeding season (generally February through August). The nearest known bald eagle nest is located at least 3,500 feet (0.66 miles) east of the Subject Property. As such we do not believe the development of the Subject Property will negatively impact this species. II —Wetlands Wetlands are not present on or immediately adjacent to the Subject Property. III — Prominent Views The Subject Property does not provide any significant or unobstructed views of natural areas or other important visual features. IV & V— Native and Non-native Vegetation The Subject Property is generally vegetated with low-lying non-native uplands forbs and grasses, one of the most prominent being smooth brome (Bromus inermis). There are also areas surrounding the abandoned prairie dog burrows free of vegetation. Native vegetation is not prominent on the Subject Property. Trees are not present on the Subject Property. THE SZANTON COMPANY 2 ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY 302 CONIFER STREET CTLIT PROJECT NO.FC11,009.000-240-1-1 R VI — High Water Mark of Bodies of Water An irrigation/drainage ditch is located adjacent to the Property to the east. The high- water mark of this ditch falls approximately flush with the eastern boundary of the parcel which constitutes the Subject Property (Parcel No. 9701311013). VII — Utilization by Sensitive and Specially Valued Species There are no sensitive species habitat located on the Subject Property. Vill —Special Habitat Features Prairie dog colonies larger than one acre in size are considered a special habitat feature. Prairie dog burrows are present throughout the 1.17-acre Property; however, these burrows are not currently in use as indicated by the lack of prairie dogs observed during our site visit, along with fallen leaves which have settled into each prairie dog burrow. As such, we do not consider this former prairie dog colony a special habitat feature. Abandoned burrows still may be used by burrowing owls. If development is planned for the burrowing owl breeding season (generally February through August) we recommend a survey be conducted prior to these activities for a higher level of assurance that this species is not impacted. IX—Wildlife Movement Corridors Based on a cursory review of resources and City of Fort Collins Land Use Code, we pre- viously concluded that the drainage ditch adjacent to the Property to the east may serve as a wildlife movement corridor between Goose Hollow Natural Area to the north and an open space to the south. The drainage ditch is not a continuous corridor given its passing under Conifer Street. Additionally, development exists on both sides of the drainage ditch, both to the north and south of where it passes the Subject Property. Generally, City of Fort Collins Land Use Code, Article 5, Section 6 (E) outlines that a buffer zone of 50 feet is required between development activities and potential wildlife corridors. It should be noted that the code specifies irrigation ditches, and the feature adjacent to the site is a man-made drainage feature. However, as the code also separately refers to naturalized storm drainage channels, we have revised this report with a more in-depth evaluation of this feature (the subject area) as it pertains to ecological value and wildlife movement. As a part of the evaluation, we assessed Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) resources on species migration corridors in the area, as well as an abbreviated version of the Functional Assessment of Colorado Wetlands (FACWet) Method. The FACWet Method was developed for the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Method was developed to formally and quantitatively assess the functional capacity of ecological features using readily available or easily obtained information —for instance, web-based sources. To assess the overall quality and potential ecological function of the drainage feature east of the property, we reviewed two of the eight variables listed within the FACWet Method. Remaining variables were not reviewed for the sake of simplicity, as they generally pertain to wetlands; hydrologic features that were not observed on or adjacent to the site; vegetation; or geomorphology features that don't pertain to wildlife movement and are addressed elsewhere in this report. The two variables reviewed included: THE SZANTON COMPANY 3 ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY 302 CONIFER STREET CTLIT PROJECT NO.FC11,009.000-240-1-1R Variable 1: Habitat Connectivity Variable 2: Contributing Area Habitat Connectivity was assessed in two parts, per the FACWet Method. This includes an assessment of the Habitat Connectivity Envelope (HCE), or the 500-meter perimeter around the subject area. This Variable is a measure of how isolated the subject area is from naturally occurring habitat and an estimate of loss of habitat in the HCE. Based on a review of aerial imagery, we believe that urbanization within the HCE is generally high, and development is generally dense. Less than 25% of the historic naturally occurring habitat area within the HCE is still in existence. The second part of Variable 1 addresses migration and dispersal barriers within the HCE. This includes both naturally occurring corridors and habitats as well as those purposefully created or induced by land use change. Based on a review of aerial imagery, we believe that barriers to migration and dispersal significantly reduce or preclude the ability of many organ- isms/propagules to pass between the subject area and the HCE. Therefore, we believe that dispersal through the area is generally functioning-impaired. The Contributing Area was also assessed in two parts, per the FACWet Method. This Variable is defined as a measure of the capacity of an area to support characteristic functions of high-quality habitat. This 250-meter-wide zone heavily impacts the value, impairment, and function of a subject habitat or corridor. This Variable accounts for vegetation, human-caused disturbances, and human encroachment. Based on our observations and aerial imagery, it appears that vegetation within the Contributing Area is substantially composed of non-native species, and has been somewhat to strongly altered, in some cases by complete removal of one or more strata. Therefore, the Contributing Area is generally non-functioning to functioning- impaired. The second part of Variable 2 addresses average existing buffer width around the sub- ject area. Buffers, per the FACWet Method, are strips or patches of more-or-less natural habitat more than 5 meters wide. Based on our observations and a review of aerial imagery, we believe the buffer around the subject area is nearly or entirely absent, or if present, is substantially composed of non-native species, and vegetation structure is heavily altered. Therefore, the existing buffer is non-functioning to functioning-impaired. Based on a brief review of these Variables using the FACWet Method, we believe the drainage immediately east-adjacent to the property is generally non-functioning to functioning- impaired as a potential wildlife corridor. Therefore, we don't believe this feature is considered a feature or resource of concern in need of a buffer zone per City of Fort Collins Land Use Code. X—General Ecological Functions The Subject Property serves minimal ecological functions given its lack of trees, promi- nent native vegetation, surface water, or wetlands, along with its highly developed surroundings. It may serve minimally as foraging ground for wildlife or nesting habitat for ground nesting migratory birds or burrowing owls. THE SZANTON COMPANY 4 ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY 302 CONIFER STREET CTLIT PROJECT NO.FC11,009.000-240-1-1R XI —Timing Issues Given the lack of habitat on the Subject Property, timing issues are limited to the breed- ing season of ground-nesting migratory birds and burrowing owls (generally February through August). If development is planned for this time, a bird survey should first be performed to determine that active nests are not present on the site. XII —Mitigation Measures The developer is required to ensure active migratory bird and burrowing owl nests are not destroyed during construction. This can be avoided by removing vegetation and prairie dog burrows outside of the breeding season (February through August), or by having a bird survey performed to ensure no active nests are present on the Property shortly before the start of development activities. LIMITATIONS This assessment only applies to the Property in its current state. This assessment only applies to areas of observation. We believe that CTLIT performed services in a professional manner, consistent with industry standards and practices in the locality of the project at the time the services were performed. No warranty, express or implied, is made. Sincerely, CTLITHOMPSON, INC. Claire Asmussen Environmental Scientist Reviewed by: Laura Mooney, PWS Environmental Scientist dD Matthew L. Wardlow, P.E. Environmental Department Manager Via e-mail: cszanton(j)szantoncompany.com THE SZANTON COMPANY $ ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY 302 CONIFER STREET CTLIT PROJECT NO.FC11,009.000-240-1-1R .r I N Ul m tr' u Conifer Street Approximate Subject Property Boundary Source:Google Earth 2022 Not to Scale Figure 1 — Property Map 302 Conifer Street November 21,2024 CTLITHOMPSON CTL(T Project No.FCt 1,009.000-240-L1R Page 1 of 1 APPENDIX A SITE PHOTOGRAPHS THE SZANTON COMPANY ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY 302 CONIFER STREET CTLIT PROJECT NO.FC11,009.000-240-1-1R r' II „_ r 3 Description: General Property view with trees to the north of Property Description: General Property view View Direction: Northeast View Direction: East Description: General Property view with trees to the north of Property Description: General Property view View Direction: Northwest View Direction: West PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPHS 302 CONIFER STREET Site Reconnaissance—November 21,2024 CTLITHOMPSON IF CTLIT Project No.FC11009.000-240-1-1R Page 1 of 2 TOE, ,fir Description: Drainage ditch passing under Conifer Street Description: Drainage ditch View Direction: South View Direction: North WO r t � a a Description: Abandoned prairie dog burrow Description: Abandoned prairie dog burrow View Direction: N/A View Direction: N/A PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPHS 302 CONIFER STREET Site Reconnaissance—November 21,2024 CTLITHOMPSON CTLIT Project No.FC11009.000-240-1-1R Page 2 of 2