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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFOOTHILLS MALL REDEVELOPMENT - PDP - PDP120036 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTOctober 23, 2012 Mr. Bryan McFarland Walton Foothills Holdings VI, LLC 5750 DTC Parkway, Suite 210 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 RE: Ecological Characterization Study (ECS) Letter Report for the Foothills Mall Larimer County Canal No. 2 Re-alignment Project Mr. Bryan McFarland: This ECS report is submitted to address City of Fort Collins Land Use Code (Section 3.4.1) requirements to identify habitats and natural resource areas on or within 500 feet of proposed developments. The Larimer County Canal No. 2 Re-alignment project area is situated between South College Avenue on the west and Monroe Avenue on the south (see attached Figure 1). Surrounding areas are comprised entirely of commercial development and associated landscaping. Ecological characteristics were reviewed and wetlands were mapped on October 17, 2012. The following provides a summary of information required by Fort Collins Land Use Code under 3.4.1 (D) (1) items (a) through (k). ECOLOGICAL STUDY CHARACTERIZATION CHECKLIST (a & i) Because of surrounding commercial development and roadways, the proposed canal re-alignment project area has minimal ecological value and supports no important habitat features beyond the wetlands and trees supported within and along the existing canal right-of-way. Surrounding areas are comprised entirely of paved surfaces, commercial buildings, and formal landscaping associated with adjacent commercial properties. As a result, there are no stands of native vegetation, wetlands, or other unique habitat features of ecological value within 500 feet of the project area except for the canal, peripheral wetlands within the canal, and significant trees along the top of the canal embankments. Significant trees along the west side of the canal include two Austrian pines (Pinus nigra) 14 to 16 inches in diameter, at least 18 white poplars (Populus alba) 2 to 3 feet in diameter, and one eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) 8 feet in diameter. A few of the white poplars and the one eastern cottonwood are partially decadent. Significant trees growing along the east side of the canal include four blue spruce (Picea pungens) about 6 inches in diameter, 15 Austrian pines 6 inches to 2 feet in diameter, one eastern cottonwood 5 feet in diameter, and one thornless honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) 8 inches in diameter. Wildlife use of the project site is very low because of surrounding development and a lack of vegetation cover adjacent to the canal. Wildlife use of adjacent trees is restricted primarily to urban adapted songbirds because of surrounding human development and activities and a lack of any kind of a shrub or herbaceous understory. No raptor nests were located in trees adjacent to the canal right-of-way during the October site survey. Raptor nesting use of these trees is unlikely due to surrounding human activities and the lack of suitable adjacent hunting habitats. Urban adapted waterfowl and other water birds may use the interior portions of the canal for movement, loafing, and feeding activities during the growing season when irrigation water flows are present. (b) Wetlands along the canal banks were delineated on October 17, 2012 using the methods and techniques specified for "routine on-site delineations" in the publication, Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual (USACOE 1987), and supplemented by the document, Interim Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Great Plains Region (USACOE 2008). The wetland report and a request for a jurisdictional determination will be submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Littleton District Office) (see attached report). Wetlands along the canal banks occur as nearly continuous strips along both sides of the canal except where the canal is crossed by bridges. There are two small segments where the vegetated wetlands are continuous across the bottom of the ditch between the two embankments. There is also one small B. McFarland 10/23/12 Page 2 of 3 segment along the west side of the ditch where the vegetated wetlands are not continuous (see attached Figure 1). Only the approximate extent of wetlands are displayed on Figure 1 since there are no other natural habitats present in the project area. Existing wetlands are typical of wetlands supported along larger irrigation ditches in the Fort Collins area. The canal wetlands are dominated by herbaceous species with minimal woody species development since ditch maintenance activities routinely remove woody vegetation obstructions within the flowing ditch channel. Wetlands along the canal are dominated primarily by relatively dense stands of Emory sedge (Carex emoryi - OBL), lady’s-thumb (Periscaria maculosa – FACW), and reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea - FACW). Other less dominant wetland species recorded included curley dock (Rumex crispus - FAC), devil’s beggarticks (Bidens frondosa - FACW), western lined aster (Almutaster lanceolatus - FACW), barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli – FAC), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense – FACU), great ragweed (Ambrosia trifida – FAC), round-fruit yellowcress (Rorippa sphaerocarpa – OBL), and sandbar willow (Salix exigua – FACW) and peach-leaf willow (Salix amygdaloides – FACW) seedlings. Lady’s-thumb and barnyard grass are the dominant species where the vegetated wetlands extended across the channel bottom creating continuous wetlands between the two canal banks. Total extent of the wetlands surveyed was determined to be 6,424 square feet (~ 0.15 acre). (c) Currently the project area does not provide any significant or unobstructed views of natural areas or other important visual features. (d) As indicated under (a & i) the project site does not support any native vegetation except as wetlands in the canal and significant trees are restricted to the top of the ditch embankments and adjacent landscaping. (e) The Larimer County Canal No. 2 is a constructed irrigation conveyance and there are no natural drainages on or near the project site. (f) Because of existing commercial development and the lack of native habitats, there is no suitable habitat for any threatened, endangered, or other sensitive species on or adjacent to the project area. (g) Past development and associated landscaping adjacent to the canal has also eliminated the potential for any special habitat features aside from the existing canal. (h) Surrounding commercial development has minimized the potential for wildlife use of the canal as a movement corridor. In addition, a portion of the canal has been routed underground south of Horsetooth Road between South College Avenue and Mitchell Drive. Urban adapted waterfowl and other waterbirds may use portions of the canal for resting and feeding activities, but the lack of above ground continuity severely limits its use as a wildlife movement corridor. (j) Because of the general lack of natural habitat features in and near the area, there is only one issue regarding the timing of proposed project and ecological features or wildlife use of the project area. The existing proposal is likely to remove a number of significant trees along the canal. No raptor nests were found in trees adjacent to the canal, but these trees could be use for nesting by urban adapted songbirds. Tree removal during the songbird nesting season could result in the loss or abandonment of a nest and would be in violation of the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Therefore it is recommended that tree removal occur outside of the songbird nesting season (April 1 – July 31) to preclude the possible incidental take or disturbance of active songbird nests. (k) The proposed development would result in the burial of an approximate 600-foot segment of the Larimer County Canal No. 2. The project would have no impacts on any natural habitats, other than existing wetlands within the canal. Loss of wetlands would need to be mitigated based on Section 3.4.1 of the Land Use Code. Since the extent of wetland impact is relatively small (0.15 acre), mitigation could be accomplished either through re-establishment of wetlands onsite in storm water detention basins or through purchasing offsite wetland mitigation from an existing wetland mitigation bank. Impacts to existing wildlife use of the canal would be relatively minor since the canal does not represent a suitable movement corridor for wildlife. It is uncertain how many trees would be lost to the proposed Foothills Mall redevelopment plan, but loss of any trees classified as significant by the City of Fort Collins would need to be mitigated with replacement trees as per Section 3.2.1 (F) of the Land Use Code. As long as the timing mitigation recommendation (see item j) is B. McFarland 10/23/12 Page 3 of 3 followed there would be no direct impacts to songbirds with the removal of trees. Loss of future nesting habitat provided by existing trees would eventually be offset as required mitigation trees in landscaped mature. Bryan, this concludes my evaluation of the Larimer County Canal No. 2 Project area. If you have any questions or require additional input regarding my evaluation, please give me a call. Sincerely, INC. T. Michael Phelan, Principal attachments: Figure 1 and Wetland Survey Report October 23, 2012 Terry McKee U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District Denver Regulatory Office 9307 South Wadsworth Blvd. Littleton, CO 80128-6901 RE: Wetland and Other Waters of the U.S. Delineation for Foothills Fashion Mall Portion of the Larimer County Canal No. 2 Dear Terry: This letter is submitted to request a jurisdictional determination and approval of the wetland delineation for a portion of the Larimer County Canal No. 2 in Larimer County, Fort Collins, Colorado. The segment of canal for which this request is submitted is located between South College Avenue and Monroe Avenue (see attached aerial photo map, Figure 1). Cedar Creek Associates, Inc. completed a field wetland and other Waters of the U.S. delineation along this segment of the canal since this segment is proposed for realignment and underground placement as an aspect of the Foothills Fashion Mall re- development project. The segment of the canal surveyed consists of approximately 850 feet of a 20-foot wide canal that passes through current commercial development and landscaping in the SW ¼ of Section 25, Township 6 North, Range 68 West. Latitude and longitude coordinates for the approximate center of the property are 40.50773 and -105.00902, respectively (NAD 83 Datum). Based on a review of USGS 7 ½’ topographic maps, the Larimer County Canal No. 2 drains into Warren Lake Reservoir and Mail Creek to the southeast and south respectively. Both of these features eventually drain carry water into Fossil Creek Reservoir, which eventually drains into the Cache la Poudre River. Larimer County Canal No. 2 is a man-made water conveyance that carries irrigation water during most of the growing season and is dry during the winter months. The exact volume of flow is unknown. The canal is trapezoidal in shape with a bottom width of about 10 feet and a top of bank width of about 20 feet. Within the project area all the canal banks appeared to be stable with no erosion problems. The canal does not support any habitat for threatened or endangered species, and raccoon tracks were the only sign of wildlife use recorded during the wetland survey. The Foothills Mall redevelopment plan proposes to re-align and bury this approximate 850-foot section of the canal along the east side of South College Avenue. The objective of the delineation work was to fulfill the requirements of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act regarding the delineation of wetlands and other potential Waters of the U. S. prior to proposed development activities. The main project contact is as follows. Mr. Bryan McFarland, Member Walton Foothills Holdings VI, LLC 5750 DTC Parkway, Suite 210 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 Phone: (303) 771-4004 FAX: (303) 771-4086 Survey Methodology Prior to initiation of field delineation work, aerial photography and NRCS soils mapping of the project site were reviewed for an overview of site characteristics and to determine the characteristics of soils T. McKee 10/23/12 Page 2 overlying the project area. Potential hydric soils were identified for evaluation during the field delineation work. Wetland delineation and sampling work for the wetlands and open channel features within the project area were completed on October 17, 2012 using the methods and techniques specified for "routine on- site delineations" in the publication, Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual (USACOE 1987), and supplemented by the document, Interim Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Great Plains Region (USACOE 2008). The project area was evaluated and potential wetland, transition zone, and upland vegetation communities were identified. Using the three-parameter approach via test hole characteristics, the wetland/upland boundaries were flagged. A single formal sample point location was established to characterize wetlands since wetlands along the canal embankments were relatively consistent. No upland sample points were established since there was an obvious distinction between canal embankment wetlands and adjacent formal landscaping consisting of upland turf grasses and upland ornamental trees and shrubs. At the single wetland sample point, percent total cover of dominant plant species was estimated. Species were then classed as OBL (obligate wetland species), FACW (facultative wetland species), FAC (facultative species), FACU (facultative upland species) or UPL (upland species), based on the USDA, NRCS 2012 National Wetland Plant List (http://plants.usda.gov/wetland.html). Soil and hydrologic data were also collected to determine the presence or absence of wetlands at each sample point. A formal field data sheet was completed for the sample point evaluated (LD#2-1). Wetland / upland boundaries were flagged with pink fluorescent tape the sample point was marked with an orange pin flag tied with pink fluorescent tape for subsequent surveying work. The active, open channel portion of the canal is the area between the two delineated wetland embankments. Adjunct test holes were also dug, where appropriate, to gain additional vegetation, soil, and hydrologic information used to aid in the characterization of wetlands, uplands, and transition zones. Data sheets were not completed for test holes. The results of the field delineation are summarized in the following section. A location map, copy of the field data sheet, and the wetland delineation map are included as attachments to assist the Corps in completing an evaluation of this project site. 1.0 RESULTS NRCS mapping for Larimer County indicates Fort Collins loam and Nunn clay loam are the two soil map units in the project area. The majority of the project area is composed of upland grass hayfield areas that are associated with the Fort Collins loams and Nunn clay loam. The majority of the project area is comprised of commercial buildings, parking lots, roadways, and formal landscaping exhibiting no evidence of wetlands. Wetlands along the canal banks occur as nearly continuous strips along both sides of the canal except where the canal is crossed by bridges. There are two small segments where the vegetated wetlands are continuous across the bottom of the ditch between the two embankments. There is also one small segment along the west side of the ditch where the vegetated wetlands are not continuous. Total extent of the wetlands surveyed was determined to be 6,424 square feet (~0.15 acre). Sample point LD#2-1 (see Table 1) was established to characterize wetlands along the banks of Larimer County Canal No. 2. Wetlands along the canal are dominated primarily by relatively dense stands of Emory sedge (Carex emoryi - OBL), lady’s-thumb (Periscaria maculosa – FACW), and reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea - FACW). Other less dominant wetland species recorded included curley dock (Rumex crispus - FAC), devil’s beggarticks (Bidens frondosa - FACW), western lined aster (Almutaster lanceolatus - FACW), barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli – FAC), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense – FACU), great ragweed (Ambrosia trifida – FAC), round-fruit yellowcress (Rorippa sphaerocarpa – OBL), and sandbar willow (Salix exigua – FACW) and peach-leaf willow (Salix amygdaloides – FACW) T. McKee 10/23/12 Page 3 seedlings. Lady’s-thumb and barnyard grass are the dominant species where the vegetated wetlands extended across the channel bottom creating continuous wetlands between the two canal banks. The hydric soil indicator was a depleted matrix. Indicators for wetland hydrology were water marks, sediment deposits, drift deposits, and inundation observed during the growing season. TABLE 1 Summary of Larimer County Canal No. 2 Sample Point Characteristics Sample Point Dominant Species Hydric Soil Indicator(s) Primary & Secondary Hydrology Indicator(s) COE Wetland SP-1 Carex emoryi - OBL Perisicaria maculosa – FACW F3 B1, B2, B3, B7 PEM1b Terry, the preceding paragraphs summarize the results of the wetland survey completed for the portion of Larimer County Canal No. 2 between South College Avenue and Monroe Avenue. Please give me a call if you have any questions. Sincerely, INC. T. Michael Phelan Principal attachments: location map, data sheets, and wetlands inventory map pc: C. Poynter, R.A. Smith National, Inc. B. McFarland, Walton Foothills Holdings VI, LLC MARKED WETLANDS AREA FOOTHILLS REDEVELOPMENT SUBDVISION