HomeMy WebLinkAboutFOSSIL CREEK ESTATES PUD PRELIMINARY - 50 92D - CORRESPONDENCE - WILDLIFE DOCUMENTS (4)Commur Planning and Environmental IF ices
Natural Resources Division
recycled paper
City of Fort Collins
DATE: March 1, 1994
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
Steven C. Burkett, City Manager
FROM: Robert Wilkinson, Senior Environmental Planner
RE: Letter from Colorado Division of Wildlife regarding Fossil
Creek Estates
Attached is a letter received this morning from the Colorado
Division of Wildlife regarding potential interactions between the
proposed Fossil Creek Estates P.U.D. and Wildlife utilizing habitat
at or near the Cathy Fromme Prairie. We are still reviewing this
letter, and we have a number of questions regarding several of the
statements in the letter. We will be discussing this letter with
Colorado Division of Wildlife staff this afternoon and will be able
to provide you with additional information at this evening's
hearing if such is requested.
281 N. College A%e. • R0. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (303) 221-6600
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Mr. Robert Wilkinson, Senior Environmental Planner
Natural Resources Division, City of Fort Collins
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, Colorado 80522-0580
Dear Mr. Wilkinson:
February 28, 1994
RPg1R
411'OF
For Wildl{&-
For People
Aftcj• having members of our staff look at the proposed Fusxil Creek Estates P.U.D., the
following are our cancernsleomnlbnls.
1. OYC to vight bald vaglcs arc now uAng the cottonwood trees In what appears w bt
the southeast scgmcnt of the propsed development. indications are that these birds
moved to these trees from the Seven Springs area (west of Taft Hill Road).
Encroachment of the development to the west of these frees at Seven Springs probably
resulted in the birds moving to where they ark now. Conshvction in this; portion of
Fossil Creek Estates development will probably cause the birds to move again. Our
best guess is to the Fossil Creek Reservoir area.
2. The city purcltasrAl the Cathy Frornme Prairie to preserve a prairie/prairie dog
community. Prairie dogs, coyotes, badgers, skunks and rattlesnakes are all species
that are associated with that type community and will probably occur within this
development. Since the city sot up the prairie preserve prior to the subdivision, it is
important to mote that residents will either have to tolerate these aninials within the
subdivision or control them tbemselvcs . Ncithct the city nor the Division of Wildlife
should be responsible for animal control within lie development or prairie complex.
Additionally, it should t)e noted that there will be problems with resident's pets (clogs
and cats) and fleas front prelde digs and coyotes. There will probably be concerns
about plague by resident%. , Poisoning of prairie dogs to alleviate residents fears of
plague should not be a practice permitted by the city or the Division of Wlldllfe, since
this is tho major species for the Cathy Fromme Prairlo, and the prey species that
maintains the winter raptor populations.
3. Based on discussions with Jerry Craig, the impact of the development activitles on
the large hawks (Ferruginous, Rough -legged and Red-tailed Hawks) using the Cathy
Fromme Prairie c(suld be minimized. G)nst)uction could occur when raptor
populations are at a minimum, tower houses could be built and some additiowl
cottonwood trees could be planted in the creek -bottom. However, the activity of
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planting trees could have a negative Impact. The pels (dogs aix1 cats) of the residents
could have a large impact in the area near the developawnt. 'Phew problems Might be
minimized with buffer zones, reduced number of units in areas adjacent to the prairie,
etc. Removal of the couonwooll trees (relen-ed to in #l) is another matter. Eagles and
hawks use the trees for foosdu f, and hunting porches. Making these trees unavailable
to the birds, zither by putting houses all around them or cutting them down, will
definitely alter the raptor use of the prairie.
I understand there is a meHting coltfing up rather smxu; so if you n" any additional intbrm;.:lan
plm,ge call our office at 484-2836 and wo will be glad to assist yttu.
Yours truly,
Walt Graul
Regional Manager