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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRANSFORT FACILITY EXPANSION - MJA - 23-10 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT1 � a.� -_:: ;. M. Newman 9/2/2010 Page 3 of 4 In terms of vegetation and wildlife species diversity, wildlife habitat value, and potential to support sensitive plant and wildlife species, wetlands represent the one of the more important habitats along the Front Range. Wetlands typically support a greater diversity of plants and animals than that found in adjacent dryland habitats. In addition, many wildlife species from adjacent dryland habitats rely on wetland habitats for obtaining food, cover, and water on a regular or intermittent basis. However wetlands in the project area provide relative low quality wildlife habitat because of their small size, narrow configuration, and their isolated nature within low quality, fallow/weedy field habitat. (c) The project area provides unobstructed views of the Prairie Dog Meadows Natural Area to the north. (d) The only native trees or other sites of native vegetation in the project area are in the wetlands along the naturalized drainage channel and in the remnant stock pond area. One small (2 inches dbh), native, eastern cottonwood also grows in the stand of Siberian elms identified on Figure 1. (e) There are no natural drainages in the project area. An unnamed, naturalized drainage flows from south to north along the western edge of the project area. (f) Suitable habitat conditions for Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei), Ute ladies' -tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis), and . Colorado butterfly plant (Laura neomexicana coloradensis) were judged not to be present within the project area. (g) Because of past disturbances and cultivation practices over most portions of the project area, there are no special habitat features present except for the two wetland areas identified on Figure 1. (h) The naturalized drainage channel does not represent a potential wildlife movement corridor since the south end of the channel provides no connection to any natural or undeveloped areas. 0) There are no issues regarding the timing of detention pond construction and ecological features or wildlife use of the project area. (k) As indicated under checklist items (a) and (b), the only special habitat features present are wetlands and the naturalized drainage channel. The City buffer zone standard for wetlands less than 0.3 acre in size and naturalized drainage channels is 50 feet. This buffer setback from these features would protect integrity of the naturalized drainage channel as well as project site wetlands. Matt, this concludes my evaluation of the Transfort detention pond project area. If you have any questions or require additional input regarding my evaluation, please give me a call. Sincerely, CEDAR CREEK ASSOCIATES, INC. T. Michael Phelan, Principal pc: J. Claeys, Jim Sell Design, Inc. M.Newman 9/2/2010 Page 2 of 4 cottonwood (Populus deltoides) near the center of the property (see Figure 1), as well as a few widely scattered rubber rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus) shrubs are the only woody species supported in fallow/weedy field habitat. Habitat value and wildlife use of fallow/weedy field habitat is limited by the general lack of woody vegetation, dominance by non-native grass and weed species, seasonal mowing, and surrounding development. Deer mouse, prairie vole, northern pocket gopher, and western meadowlark are the only species likely to establish resident populations in this non-native grassland parcel. Songbirds such as Brewer's blackbird, common grackle, and black -billed magpie may also occasionally use non-native grassland habitat at this site. Urban -adapted species including raccoon, striped skunk, red fox, mourning dove, and Canada goose may occasionally move into fallow/weedy fields to seek prey or feed on grass or grass seeds. The site is too small to be hunted by most raptors except for urban -adapted species such as American kestrel and great horned owl. There was no evidence of prairie dogs or prairie dog burrows observed on the property. (b) Locations of wetlands on and near the project area are shown on Figure 1. Jurisdictional wetlands are restricted to the naturalized drainage channel along the western edge of the project area. This channel drains into more extensive wetlands located to the north in the Prairie Dog Meadows Natural Area, but wetlands are not continuous along the channel north of the project area (see Figure 1). The wetlands supported along the naturalized drainage channel are characterized by relatively narrow bands of vegetated wetlands along the channel embankments. Wetland embankment areas are the widest and most diverse at the south end of the channel. As the channel progresses to the north, wetland width and diversity of vegetation decreases. Wetland and channel acreage (0.387 acre) was determined by circumscribing the outer perimeter of continuous wetlands supported along the channel. The total extent of wetlands was estimated to be no more than two-thirds of this total since interior portions of the channel were bare and did not support wetlands along most of its length. Therefore, the total extent of wetlands supported along the channel was estimated to be 0.25 acre or less. Wetland vegetation was formerly supported within the channel at its extreme south end, but, at the time of the field survey, this vegetation had been recently removed by heavy equipment for channel maintenance activities. Dominant wetland vegetation species supported at the south end of the channel are coyote willow (Safix exigua), common cattail (Typha latifolia), Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia), compressed rush (Juncus compressus), alkali muhly (Muhlenbergia asperifolia), and showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa). As the drainage progresses to the north, conditions become drier, and the embankment wetlands are restricted primarily narrow bands of alkali muhly, foxtail barley (Critesion jubatum), inland saltgrass (Distichlis stricta), and poverty sumpweed (Iva axillaris). Woody vegetation is restricted to a few young eastern cottonwoods. The very north end of the continuous wetlands is dominated by an annual weed and marginal wetland species, prickly lettuce. The other wetland delineated on the project area appears to have developed in a small, remnant stock pond. There is no channel into or out of this dried-up pond, but surface sheet flow trapped by the small impoundment berm along the south edge of the pond depression has trapped sufficient moisture for a small wetland area (0.083 acre) to develop (see Figure 1). The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would likely not classify this wetland as jurisdictional since it has no 'channel or wetland connection to jurisdictional wetlands or Other Waters of the U.S. The central portion of this wetland is dominated by common cattail while the perimeter areas support spikerush (Eleocharis sp.), foxtail barley, alkali muhly, curly dock (Rumex crispus), poverty sumpweed, inland saltgrass, and prickly lettuce in that order from the more mesic to drier portions of dry pond perimeter. VEDAM C MIECEM AWOCIIA°Il°IEO, INC. 916 Wilishlre Ave., Fort Collins, CO BD521 • (970) 493-4394 September 2, 2010 �D Matthew Newman S G Aller-Lingle-Massey Architects P.C. 712 Whalers Way, Bldg. B, Suite 100 Fort Collins, CO 80525 RE: Ecological Characterization Study (ECS) Letter Report for the Transfort Detention Pond Project Matt: This letter is submitted in response to Erica Saunders e-mail guidance and request for a brief ECS Report summarizing the ecological features of Transfort's proposed detention pond project area. The detention pond project site is located immediately north of the existing Transfort facilities and west of the Poudre School District's school bus facility. The City of Fort Collins' Prairie Dog Meadow Natural Area borders the north edge of the project area while existing residential development is located along the site's eastern boundary (see attached Figure 1). This report was prepared in accordance with Section 3.4.1 of the Land Use Code of the City of Fort Collins regarding the preparation of an ECS Report. Cedar Creek completed a field survey of the project area on September 1, 2010. The field survey was conducted to map wetlands and to characterize existing wildlife habitats, as well as identify any unique or sensitive natural resource features. Observations recorded during the wildlife habitat field evaluation included: major vegetation communities/wildlife habitats present within the property, dominant vegetation associated with each community/habitat, and unique habitat features. Existing habitats were also evaluated regarding their ability to support populations of threatened, endangered, and other sensitive plant and wildlife species. The boundaries of wetlands located on and near the project area were mapped with a hand-held GPS unit, and acreages of wetlands were determined using the GPS mapped boundaries. A formal U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' wetland field survey and report were not completed since the proposed project would not impact existing wetlands. Habitats within project area consist of fallow/weedy field and wetland (see Figure 1). Surrounding land uses consist of commercial facilities, residential development, and undeveloped land in the Prairie Dog Meadow Natural Area. ECOLOGICAL STUDY CHARACTERIZATION CHECKLIST The following provides a summary of information required by Fort Collins Land Use Code under 3.4.1 (D) (1) items (a) through (k). (a) Fallow/weedy field is the primary habitat within the project area. This habitat appears to have been cultivated in the past (small, remnant stands of wheat are present at scattered locations) and historic cultivation practices have resulted in the removal of native vegetation. As a result the majority of the property now supports stands of annual weeds and non-native grasses. Dominant vegetation species noted within fallow/weedy field were smooth brome (Bromopsis inermisl), crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), kochia (Bassia sieversiana), Canada thistle (Breea arvensis), knotweed (Polygonum arenastrum), prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola), common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), and yellow sweetclover (Melilotus officinale). A small, linear stand of relatively young (1 to 6 inches dbh) Siberian elms (Ulmus pumila) and one young (2 inches dbh) eastern 1 Scientific nomenclature for vegetation follows: Weber, W. A. and R. C. Wittmann. 1996. Colorado Flora Eastern Slope, revised edition. University Press of Colorado, Niwot, Colorado. 524 pp.