HomeMy WebLinkAboutFOSSIL CREEK ESTATES PUD PRELIMINARY - 50 92D - CORRESPONDENCE - WILDLIFE DOCUMENTSCommunity Planning and Environmental Services ec, uec
z \\ Natural Resources Division j
City of Fort Collins
MEMORANDUM
DATE: February 18, 1994
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
Steven C. Burkett, City Manager
THRU: Greg Byrne, CPES Director
FROM: Tom Shoemaker, Natural Resources Director �f
RE: New Information on Eagles and Fossil Creek Estates
Council is aware of the concern expressed by various citizens
regarding the potential effects of the Fossil Creek Estates
development on the Cathy Fromme Prairie, especially use by bald
eagles and other birds of prey.. Because of this concern, I met
recently with concerned parties to listen to their concerns and to
see if they had information that had not been considered in the
previous staff analyses.
One of the key statements made by concerned individuals was that
groves of trees on the adjacent property (south of the proposed
development) are used more extensively by eagles than we realized
- consistent use by up to six eagles at.a time. To follow up on
these.claims, I conducted my own observations of the trees over the
last few days. In doing so, I verified high use of the area by
eagles (eight at one time yesterday), and also documented that the.
trees are used as a night roost site, and not simply as one of, many
perch sites. These observations do confirm the assertion that the
land proposed for development needs to be considered as part of the
overall habitat complex in the area.
The new finding that this site is used as a night roost is
significant; until now, we have been aware of only two roost sites
in our vicinity, one at Fossil Creek Reservoir and another at Lory
State Park. Night roost sites are considered a much more important
and much more sensitive habitat component than perch sites, and
potential impacts on the'site deserve very close scrutiny.
Even before this finding, we have begun several steps to assure a
thorough review of the issues that have been presented and to
attempt to explore alternatives for this development to assure that
it sets a positive precedent for the future. These steps include
(1) exploring alternatives to assure that the environmental effects
are dealt with adequately and to attempt to resolve citizen
concerns; (2) seeking a formal review of the project by the
Colorado Division of Wildlife; and (3) contracting with an
281 N. College Ave. • P.O. Box 380 • Fort Collins, CO 80322-0380 • (303) 221-6600
independent. consulting firm to review our previous analyses and
provide independent recommendations on ways of ensuring that the
proposed development is sensitive to the! special environment of the
Cathy Fromme Prairie, and that we are good neighbors to the
"development.
Based on separate conversations with concerned citizens and with
the developer, I believe everyone wants to explore options to
resolve the concerns in a mutually agreeable manner. We will be
planning meetings during the next 3-4 weeks to work on the issues
associated with this development.
We will keep you informed of developments as we proceed.
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