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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPARAGON POINT PUD FINAL - 48 91B - CORRESPONDENCE - CITY STAFF (2)Cornmi y Planning, and Environmental rvices Natural Resources Division Jim Sell Jim Sell Design 117 E. Mountain Ave. Fort Collins, CO 80524 Dear Jim: U` � recycled paper November 9, 1992 I am addressing two issues brought out at the on -site review of .the Paragon Point Natural Resource Management Plan on October 22, 1992: (1) raptor perches and (2) revegetation of the prairie dog experimental area. The attached letter to Walt Graul, .Regional Manager, Colorado Division of Wildlife, requests the assistance of their raptor biologist, Jerry Craig, to provide his recommendations for number, type, and location of additional raptor perches by December 1, 1992. I would like to pursue the question of revegetation of the prairie dog experimental area with several professors at Colorado State University over the next few months to see if they have interest in incorporating the project into their classwork. Also, it would be better to not disturb the experimental area now that we are into the period of use by the large winter raptors. If taking more time to pursue the best approach to revegetating the experimental area presents any problems, please let me know. Sincerely, Karen Manci Environmental Planner cc: Tom Shoemaker, City of Fort Collins, Natural Resources Rob Wilkinson, City of Fort Collins, Natural Resources Steve Olt, City of Fort Collins, Planning Ted Shephard, City of Fort Collins, Planning 281 N. College Ave. • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (303) 221-6600 Comm 'y Planning and Environments !rvices recycledpaper Natural Resources Division City of Fort Collins Dr. Walt Graul Regional Manager Colorado Division of Wildlife 317 West Prospect Road Fort Collins, CO 80526 November 9, 1992 Dear Dr. Graul: The City of Fort Collins Natural Resources Division requests the assistance of Jerry Craig, Colorado Division of Wildlife, raptor biologist, to provide his recommendation for number, type, and location of additional raptor perches at the Paragon Point development site in accordance with the Paragon Point Natural Resource Management Plan (Raptor Concern section attached) and for loss of perch trees due to road construction on the eastside of the property. We would appreciate it if Jerry could visit the Paragon site with Jim Sell, design consultant for the Paragon Point project, and provide a follow-up letter with his recommendations for perch sites to Jim Sell and to the Natural Resources Division by December 1, 1992. Jim Sell can be reached at 484-1921.'' His address is Jim Sell Design, 117 E. Mountain Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80524. ­Thank-you--for-your- assistance. - Sincerely, /� Ct-,c,N, n czz Karen Manci Environmental Planner cc: Jerry Craig, CDOW Bill Ohlmstead, CDOW Tom Shoemaker, City of Fort Collins, Natural Resources Rob Wilkinson, City of Fort Collins, Natural Resources Steve Olt, City of Fort Collins, Planning Ted Shephard, City of Fort Collins, Planning Jim Sell, Jim Sell Design 281 N. College Ave. - P.O. Box 580 - Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 - (303) 221-6600 RAPTOR CONCERN This section of the plan is intended to address the use of the site by raptors or birds of prey, specifically the ferruginous hawk and bald eagle known to use this. site to feed on prairie dogs. Since it is not possible to retained the current prairie dog population without creating serious problems (see prairie dog control) associated with prairie dogs in the urban environment, we need to understand what effect reducing the prairie dog population will have on the raptors. Unfortunately, the city's Natural Resources Department has very limited data on the prey that raptors are relying on in the urban growth area. Bald eagles take a variety of prey including road -killed deer, dead or dying water fowl, prairie dogs and other rodents. Ferruginoushawks are known to feed on prairie dogs, rabbits, mice and voles. Reducing the number of prairie dogs on the site has the effect of removing a portion of the raptors diet. In order to encourage the raptors to continue to use this site we need to increase other species of prey. The plan is to establish and/or maintain a variety of wildlife habitats on the Paragon Point site. (See matrix and map.) Once prairie dog numbers are reduced and more diverse plant associations can be established, we expect the populations of rabbits and other small rodents to increase. Some prairie dog holes will be left available for other wildlife species to use. In addition, a 4.6 acre area of the site has been established as.a prairie dog study area. (See map.) The intent is to allow prairie dogs to exist in this limited area to the degree that they can exist without threatening the vegetative cover. Other measures designed to encourage the use of the site by raptors include providing open water that will attract water fowl and providing perch sites for the raptors to use. (See perch site diagram below.) It must be recognized that elements of this plan designed to encourage the raptors to stay are experimental. .It may not be possible to retain the raptors on this site, given that other areas within and outside the urban growth area provide habitats that included larger populations of prairie dogs (easy prey) further removed from human disturbances. The experiment, however, provides an opportunity for the city to learn whether or not urban development and raptors can .co -exist. SOP ANCHOR .. RELOCATED COTTONWOOD PERCH SITES SOUTH OF "STONE CREEK" DRAINAGE 11