FOSSIL CREEK APARTMENTS ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY

Transcription

1 FOSSIL CREEK APARTMENTS ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY February 2017 Larimer County, Colorado Prepared by: BLUE MOUNTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING Supporting Sustainable Management of Natural Resources 937 MALLARD DRIVE, FT. COLLINS, CO (970) Copyright 2017 BMEC

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3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION SITE DESCRIPTION ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION WILDLIFE WETLANDS PROMINENT VIEWS NATIVE TREES AND VEGETATION NON-NATIVE TREES AND VEGETATON BANK, SHORELINE AND HIGH WATER MARK OF PERENNIAL WATER SENSITIVE AND SPECIALLY VALUED SPECIES SPECIAL HABITAT FEATURES WILDLIFE MIGRATION CORRIDORS GENERAL ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS TIMING OF DEVELOPMENT IN RELATION TO ECOLOGICAL CHARACTER MITIGATION MEASURES CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS...10 REFERENCES...10 APPENDIX A: PROJECT MAPS...11 APPENDIX B: SITE PHOTOGRAPHS Copyright 2017 BMEC

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5 1.0 Introduction This report documents ecological characteristics within the proposed 262-unit deluxe apartment project on 13.4 acres (Parcel # ) in south Fort Collins. This report conforms to Section (D) (1) of the Land Use Code of the City of Fort Collins regarding the preparation of an (ECS). This report was required by the City of Fort Collins Community Development and Neighborhood Services in correspondence during August 2014, because the project is within 100 feet of Fossil Creek and associated wetlands that support aquatic and riparian forest features. 2.0 Site Description The proposed Goldelm Apartment project encompasses 13.4 acres (583,704 square feet) and is located on the west side of South College Avenue approximately 900 feet north of Crestridge Street. The is bounded by Burlington Northern Railroad to the west, a vacant lot owned by the Vineyard Church of Fort Collins to the south, South College Avenue to the east and Red Tail Grove Natural Area owned by the City of Fort Collins to the north. Development adjacent to the includes commercial properties to the south and the east and the Ader Estates and Skyview Subdivision to the south and west. The 43-acre Redtail Grove Natural Area has been classified as sensitive and is currently closed to the public. Fossil Creek meanders for approximately 0.43 miles through the natural area providing diverse riparian areas, native short- and mixed-grass prairies, large cottonwood galleries and geologic features including fossils. The legal description for the site is a portion of Section 11, Township 6 North, Range 69 West of the 6 th Principal Meridian in Larimer County, Colorado. Two Plat Maps and the City of Fort Collins Habitat and Natural Features Inventory Map are provided in Appendix A. A sandstone rock outcrop that contains bivalve mollusk fossils exists on a portion of the southwest corner. (Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting recommends that this outcrop be investigated by a qualified geologist or paleontologist and any resulting recommendations or mitigative measures be incorporated into the site Plan.) The site was visited by Matt Tobler (Natural Resource Specialist) and Clint Hinebaugh (Wildlife Biologist) with Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting on February 20 th, Ecological Characterization The elements of the are summarized in this section in the order listed in Section (D) (1) of the Land Use Code. According to the City of Fort Collins Natural Habitat and Features Map, the Project Site is characterized as Non-native Grassland and Native Grassland. 5 Copyright 2017 BMEC

6 3.1 Wildlife Due to the s urban location and high human disturbance level, wildlife value is relatively poor. With the exception of two Russian olive trees and one Siberian elm, the is treeless and consists of native and non-native short- and mixed-grass prairie; most wildlife use can be expected to be transitional as they travel to and from the riparian areas to the north and south. Seasonal and/or year-round use can be expected by a number of avifauna including American robin (Turdus migratorius), northern flicker (Colaptes auratus), mourning dove (Zenaidura macroura), western kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis), magpies (Pica pica), killdeer (Charadrius vociferus), swallows, crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and ravens (Corvus corax). Raptors would probably utilize the site primarily for hunting rodents and small birds, especially during the warmer months. Some suitable nesting sites for hawks and owls were identified in the cottonwood stands within Redtail Grove Natural Area to the north of the. Raptor species expected to utilize these areas include turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), Swainson s hawk (Buteo swainsoni), red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis) and American kestrel (Falco sparverius). Mammals such as mice, voles, fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) and eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus) could utilize the year round. Given the s location adjacent to Fossil Creek, species such as mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), coyote (canis latrans), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) and red fox (Vulpes fulva) may be common. Due to the timing of the site visit (late winter), species and/or species sign that were identified were minimal and included American kestrel, sparrows, mourning and Eurasian doves, rabbits, coyote and fox. 3.2 Wetlands There are no wetlands on the. Fossil Creek flows around the ; at the closest points, it is located approximately 60 feet to the north and 45 feet to the south of the boundary. According to the USFWS National Wetlands Inventory, there are four wetland types associated with Fossil Creek at this location, including Palustrine Emergent Temporarily Flooded (2.3 acres), Palustrine Scrub-Shrub Temporarily Flooded (1.1 acres), Palustrine Scrub-Shrub Temporarily Flooded (0.6 acres) and Palustrine Scrub-Shrub Seasonally Flooded (0.9 acres). A 0.5-acre slope shrub riparian area exists south of the and has been classified as Rp1FO. Wetlands and the Top of Bank were flagged per City requirements (note there is no top of bank on slope the slope wetland. Wetland boundaries and Top of Bank have been flagged. According to the FEMA Map Panel (08069C1000F), the is outside of the City Floodplain ( accessed on February 24, 2015). 6 Copyright 2017 BMEC

7 3.3 Prominent Views Prominent views of the riparian area within the Fossil Creek Corridor exist to the north and south from within the. Unobstructed views of the Front Range, including Horsetooth Rock, exist to the west. Typical views from South College Avenue are provided in Appendix B. 3.4 Native Trees and Vegetation Native vegetation is a minor component of the total cover at this site. Common native species include yucca (Yucca glaucca), plains prickly pear (Opuntia polyacantha), rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus spp.), snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), curly doc (Rumex spp.), fringed sage (Artemisia frigida), purple threeawn (Aristida purpurea), western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) and buffalogass (Buchloe dactyloides). 3.5 Non-native Trees and Vegetation There are three trees on the : one small Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila) and two Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia). A forestry review was conducted by Tim Buchannan, the City Forester. Results are indicated in the below table. Mitigation requirements are discussed in Section Tree Species Stems Diameter * Grade Mitigation Trees Number (inches) Required 1 Russian olive 1 6 Poor 0 2 Russian olive Fair (-) 1 3 Siberian Elm 2 9, 10 Fair (-) 1 Smooth brome (Bromus inermis) dominates the grasslands, but there is also some cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum), musk thistle (Carduus nutans), kochia (Bassia scoparia), yellow salsify (Trapogon dubius), prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola), mullein (Verbascum thapsus) and flixweed (Descurainia sophia). It should be noted that musk thistle is a State-listed noxious species. 3.6 Bank, Shoreline and High Water Mark of Perennial Water There are no wetlands or perennial water bodies on this site. Wetland boundaries and Top of Bank for wetlands on adjacent properties will be incorporated into a revised Site Plan. 3.7 Sensitive and Specially Valued Species 7 Copyright 2017 BMEC

8 There are no known occurrences or habitat for sensitive and specially valued species on the. The USFWS Information, Planning and Conservation System (IPAC) was accessed to determine species of concern in Larimer County, which include the Preble s meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei), Ute lady s tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis) and Colorado butterfly plant (Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis), all of which are associated with riparian/wetland areas. According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service technician Craig Hansen, all trapping for the Preble s meadow jumping mouse (PMJM) in Fort Collins has been negative. Typical habitat for Preble's is composed of well-developed riparian vegetation with adjacent, relatively undisturbed grassland communities and a nearby water source. These riparian areas should include a relatively dense combination of grasses, forbs and shrubs. Based on these habitat requirements and the negative trapping data, it is Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting s opinion that Preble s does not occur on the site and development of the will not adversely affect Preble s. Similarly, it is our opinion that the Ute lady s tresses and Colorado butterfly plant do not occur on the site. The closest known occurrences of these plants are near the northwest boundary of Fort Collins (Ute lady s tresses) and within the City-managed Soapstone Prairie Natural Area near the Wyoming border (butterfly plant). Suitable habitat is not present within the project area or within the adjacent Fossil Creek buffer zone. 3.8 Special Habitat Features Article 3, Section 3.4.1, of the City of Fort Collins Land Use Code applies to Natural Habitats and Features and requires a buffer of 100 feet for Fossil Creek and its associated tributaries, which are adjacent to the. Redtail Grove Natural Area, which is managed by the City of Fort Collins, contains native grasslands, unique fossil deposits and historic red-tailed hawk nesting sites. According to the Fossil Creek Natural Areas Management Plan ( red-tailed hawks nested in the natural area between The natural area is also home to 16 species of native trees and shrubs, 25 species of native grasses, 60 species of native wildflowers, vines and other forbs, 81 species of birds, including bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), ferruginous hawk, red-tailed hawk, and northern saw-whet owl (Aegolius acadicus), seven mammals, two amphibians and seven species of fish. The Natural Habitat and Features Map provided by the City of Fort Collins (Appendix A) identifies prominent features in the vicinity of the, including native grasslands, nonnative grasslands, non-native upland plains forest, wet meadow, riparian forest and aquatic areas. 3.9 Wildlife Migration Corridors 8 Copyright 2017 BMEC

9 According to the City of Fort Collins Wildlife Management Guidelines, the Fort Collins area continues to be an important migratory corridor for raptors, songbirds and butterflies. As wetlands have increased along the Front Range, so has the value of Fort Collins for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds and other wetland bird species. Riparian forests along Fossil Creek and other stream corridors in Colorado are recognized by many as one of the more diverse ecosystems in the United States. Fossil Creek and its associated tributaries are located approximately 60 feet from the northern boundary and 45 feet from the southern boundary of the and serves as a wildlife migration corridor. In addition to avifauna, it is expected that raccoons, skunks and other urbanadapted species use these tributaries to move through the region. The current development plans do not call for development along the corridor; therefore, the proposed development should not affect the functioning of Fossil Creek and associated natural habitats as a migration corridor General Ecological Functions The 13.4-acre site does not support any significant areas of native vegetation or other unique habitat features. The consists of upland vegetation that is dominated by early seral and exotic species Timing of Development in Relation to Ecological Character The primary concern for the timing of development is protection of nesting birds adjacent to the Project Site. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, it is unlawful for anyone to take, possess, import, export, transport, sell, purchase, barter, or offer for sale, purchase or barter, any migratory bird or the parts, nests or eggs. Documented nests in Redtail Grove Natural Area are beyond the 450-foot buffer that is required during the nesting season. Trees adjacent to Fossil Creek should be checked for nesting activity prior to construction so that the project complies with the temporary 450-foot radius Limit of Development (LOD) from February 15 th to July 15 th for occupied nests. If the project remains on schedule, the planning process would be completed in May or June of this year, with a construction start anticipated late summer or early fall Mitigation Measures Two mitigation trees are required for the project; these trees can be a shade tree that is 3 or more inched diameter at breast height (DBH), an ornamental tree 2.5 inches DBH or an evergreen tree that 8 or more feet tall. 9 Copyright 2017 BMEC

10 A survey for raptor nests was conducted on February 20 th, 2015, and no stick nests were identified. If construction or tree removal is proposed to begin during the potential bird nesting periods, a nest search is recommended within two weeks prior to the start of construction or tree removal to avoid Migratory Bird Treaty Act infractions. According to the City Land Use Code, If the project contains or abuts a publicly owned natural area or conserved land, the development plan shall be designed so that it will be compatible with the management of such natural area or conserved land. In order to achieve this, the development plan shall include measures such as barriers or landscaping measures to minimize wildlife conflicts, setbacks or open space tracts to provide a transition between the development and the publicly owned natural area or conserved land, and educational signage or printed information regarding the natural values, management needs and potential conflicts associated with living in close proximity to such natural area or conserved land. Access to Redtail Grove Natural Area is currently prohibited. 4.0 Conclusions and Recommendations The team at Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting believes that no significant ecological resources will be adversely impacted on this site. The primary concern on-site is the timing of construction to avoid disturbing nesting birds, increased runoff from hardened surfaces and the introduction of undesirable plants. References City of Fort Collins Floodplain Maps and Documents. Colorado Parks and Wildlife Recommended Buffer Zones and Seasonal Restrictions for Raptors. elines2008.pdf Hansen, C communication from Craig Hansen, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lakewood, Colorado to Clinton Hinebaugh, BMEC, Inc. October 4. National Wetland Inventory Mapper. Accessed on December 1, United States Fish and Wildlife Service Information Planning and Conservation System. Accessed on December 1, Wildlife Management Guidelines, City of Fort Collins Copyright 2017 BMEC

11 Appendix A: Project Maps 11 Copyright 2017 BMEC

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15 Point Map Copyright 2017 BMEC

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17 Appendix B: Site graphs 17 Copyright 2017 BMEC

18 Map Corner 1 N Looking north; note South College Avenue and Redtail Grove Natural Area. Map Corner 1 NW Looking northwest; note buck-and-rail fence boundary on northern perimeter. 18 Copyright 2017 BMEC

19 Map Corner 2 N Looking north across the ; note boundary fence. Map Corner 2 W Looking west across the ; note Horsetooth Rock and the Colorado and Southern railroad track. 19 Copyright 2017 BMEC

20 Map Corner 2 NW Looking northwest; note Siberian elm and Russian olive tree. Map Corner 3 N Looking north towards Redtail Grove Natural Area,north of the wooden fence, and Fossil Creek 20 Copyright 2017 BMEC

21 Map Corner 3 W Looking west. Map Corner 3 NW Looking northwest. 21 Copyright 2017 BMEC

22 Map Corner 4 N Looking north. Map Corner 4 W Looking west. 22 Copyright 2017 BMEC

23 Map Corner 5 W Looking west; note the sandstone rock outcrop that contains bivalve fossils. Map Corner 6 N Looking north from the southwest corner. 23 Copyright 2017 BMEC

24 Map Corner 6 E Looking east from the southwest corner. Map Corner 7 E Looking east along the northern boundary from the northwest corner. 24 Copyright 2017 BMEC

25 Map Corner 7 SE Looking southeast into the from the northwest corner. Map Corner 7 S Looking south along the line from the northwest corner. 25 Copyright 2017 BMEC

26 Map Corner 8 SW Looking southwest into the. Map Corner 8 W Looking west along the line. 26 Copyright 2017 BMEC

27 27 Copyright 2017 BMEC