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The proposed bank would restore and manage approximately 505 acres of wetland, riparian, and buffer habitats along 1.25 miles of Park Creek and would provide wetland mitigation credits to offset wetland impacts in the Cache La Poudre and adjacent wetlands. The conceptual plan to restore, enhance, establish, preserve, and manage approximately 505 acres of wetland, riparian, and buffer habitat.

Location Park Creek Station is located approximately 12 miles north of Fort Collins and 6 miles northwest of the Town of Wellington, Larimer County, Colorado (Figure 1-1, Figure 2-1, and Figure 2-2). The bank will be located on an approximately 640-acre parcel (Figure 2-1) on Section 16 of Township 9 North, Range 64 West, 6th Principal Meridian, Latitude 40°44'50.71" North, Longitude -105°07'23.25" West (WGS84). The site is located on the Park Creek Hogbacks within the High Plains Level III ecoregion in the Cache la Poudre watershed (HUC 10190007).

Description of work The project proposes active restoration methods such as planting and seeding, minor earth and streambank work, aggressive maintenance, and proper management including any natural resource-oriented grazing management plans and the installation of wildlife friendly fences to encourage native ungulate use will be needed to restore onsite wetland and riparian systems given the extent of wetland and riparian damage within the proposed Park Creek Station. In addition, The Bank Sponsor will use livestock exclusion and/or management coupled with passive and active restoration actions to facilitate the well-documented and expected shift to species and conditions more commonly found in reference standard wetlands and riparian areas.

PUBLIC NOTICE US Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District

Application No: Project: Applicant: Waterway: Issue Date: Expiration Date:

NWO-2017-01688-DEN PCSB Prospectus Burns & McDonnell Engineering Park Creek September 22, 2017 October 22, 2017

REPLY TO: Denver Regulatory Office 9307 South Wadsworth Blvd Littleton, CO 80128-6901 FAX (303) 979-0602

30 DAY NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE FOR SECTION 404 COMPENSATORY MITIGATION BANK SUBMITTED TO U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS The District Engineer, U.S. Army Engineer District, Omaha, Nebraska is evaluating a proposal to establish Park Creek Station Mitigation Bank, from Burns & McDonnell. Summary The proposed Bank would restore and manage approximately 505 acres of wetland, riparian, and buffer habitats along 1.25 miles of Park Creek and would provide wetland mitigation credits to offset wetland impacts in the Cache La Poudre and adjacent watersheds. The conceptual plan to restore, enhance, establish, preserve, and manage approximately 505 acres of wetland, riparian, and buffer habitat. Location Park Creek Station is located approximately 12 miles north of Fort Collins and 6 miles northwest of the Town of Wellington, Larimer County, Colorado (Figure 1-1, Figure 2-1, and Figure 2-2). The bank will be located on an approximately 640-acre parcel (Figure 2-1) on Section 16 of Township 9 North, Range 64 West, 6th Principal Meridian, Latitude 40°44'50.71" North, Longitude -105°07'23.25" West (WGS84). The site is located on the Park Creek Hogbacks within the High Plains Level III ecoregion in the Cache la Poudre watershed (HUC 10190007). Description of work The project proposes to actively restoration methods such as planting and seeding, minor earth and streambank work, aggressive maintenance, and proper management including any natural resourceoriented grazing management plans and the installation of wildlife friendly fences to encourage native 1 Project: PCSB Prospectus Waterway: Park Creek

Corps File No: NWO-2017-01688-DEN Applicant: Burns & McDonnell

ungulate use will be needed to restore onsite wetland and riparian systems given the extent of wetland and riparian damage within the proposed Park Creek Station. In addition, The Bank Sponsor will use livestock exclusion and/or management coupled with passive and active restoration actions to facilitate the well-documented and expected shift to species and conditions more commonly found in reference standard wetlands and riparian areas. ********************* OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS: The Interagency Review Team responsible for the review and approval of the proposed mitigation bank may include representatives from the Corps, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or other agencies as appropriate. HISTORIC PROPERTIES: The Corps will initiate consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, as appropriate. ENDANGERED SPECIES: The proposed activity may affect Federally-listed endangered or threatened species or their critical habitat. The Corps will initiate consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service, pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, as appropriate. ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT: The Corps will initiate consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service, pursuant to Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, as appropriate. The above determinations are based on information provided by the applicant and our preliminary review. EVALUATION FACTORS: The Corps is soliciting comments from the public, Federal, State, and local agencies and officials, Indian tribes, and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed activity. Any comments received will be considered by the Corps to assess impacts on endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and other public interest factors. Comments are used in the evaluation of the proposed mitigation bank per 33 CFR Part 332.8 and in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. Comments, both favorable and unfavorable, will be accepted, made a part of the record and will receive full consideration in subsequent actions on this application. Any agency or individual having an objection to the work should identify it as an objection with clear and specific reasons. All replies to the public notice should be sent to the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Denver Regulatory Office, 9307 South Wadsworth Blvd, Littleton, Colorado 80128-6901. For additional information please contact Stephen Decker at (402) 995-2463 or Karen.L.Lawrence@usace.army.mil or visit the Denver Regulatory Office web site at: http://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Missions/RegulatoryProgram/Colorado/PublicNotices.aspx The District Engineer will consider requests for holding a public hearing, for the purpose of gathering additional information. Before the expiration date of this notice, anyone may request, in writing, that a public hearing be held. Requests for a public hearing should state specifically the reasons for holding a public hearing, and what additional information would be obtained. Should the District Engineer decide that additional information is required and a public hearing should be held, interested parties will be notified of the date, time and location. Comments received after the close of business on the expiration date of this public notice will not be considered. 2 Project: PCSB Prospectus Waterway: Park Creek

Corps File No: NWO-2017-01688-DEN Applicant: Burns & McDonnell

Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank Prospectus

Submitted to The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank Project No. 1261

9/8/2017

Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank Prospectus Submitted to The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank Larimer County, Colorado Project No. 1261 9/8/2017 prepared by

Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc. Centennial, Colorado COPYRIGHT © 2017 BURNS & McDONNELL ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC.

Park Creek Station Mitigation Bank Prospectus

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page No. 1.0

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Responsible Parties .............................................................................................. 1-1 1.1.1 Bank Sponsor Contact Information and Qualifications ........................ 1-3 1.1.2 Land Owner .......................................................................................... 1-3 1.1.3 Land Management ................................................................................ 1-3 1.1.4 Conservation Mechanisms .................................................................... 1-4 1.1.5 Endowment Holder ............................................................................... 1-4 1.2 Anticipated Schedule ........................................................................................... 1-5 1.3 Permits, Agreements, and Consultations ............................................................. 1-5

2.0

PROPERTY OVERVIEW .................................................................................. 2-1 2.1 Property Location................................................................................................. 2-1 2.2 Climate ................................................................................................................. 2-1 2.3 Current and Historic Land Uses ........................................................................... 2-4 2.4 Topography .......................................................................................................... 2-4 2.5 Ecoregion ............................................................................................................. 2-4 2.6 Geology ................................................................................................................ 2-4 2.7 Soils...................................................................................................................... 2-4 2.8 Floodplains ........................................................................................................... 2-7 2.9 Cultural Resources ............................................................................................... 2-7 2.10 Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) ................................................... 2-7 2.11 Vegetation Communities ..................................................................................... 2-7 2.12 Invasive Species ................................................................................................. 2-10 2.13 Colorado Natural Heritage Program Data.......................................................... 2-10 2.14 Rare Plants ......................................................................................................... 2-11 2.15 Hydrology, Existing Wetland and Aquatic Resources ...................................... 2-12 2.15.1 Methods............................................................................................... 2-12 2.15.2 Delineated Wetlands ........................................................................... 2-12

3.0

BANK DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT .............................................................. 3-1 3.1 Current Site Stressors ........................................................................................... 3-1 3.2 Expected Restoration Outcomes .......................................................................... 3-3 3.3 Restoration Vision ............................................................................................... 3-5 3.4 Broad Restoration Goals ...................................................................................... 3-5 3.5 General Restoration Strategies and Actions ........................................................ 3-6 3.6 Bank Layout and Conceptual Design .................................................................. 3-7 3.6.1 Riparian/Wetland Rehabilitation .......................................................... 3-7 3.6.2 Riparian Woodland Restoration .......................................................... 3-11 3.6.3 Riparian Woodland Enhancement ...................................................... 3-13 3.6.4 Riparian Woodland Establishment ..................................................... 3-14 3.6.5 Seasonal Wetland Establishment ........................................................ 3-15

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Burns & McDonnell

Park Creek Station Mitigation Bank Prospectus

3.7

3.8

3.9

3.10

Table of Contents

3.6.6 Wetland Rehabilitation ....................................................................... 3-19 3.6.7 Wetland Buffer.................................................................................... 3-21 3.6.8 Stream Buffer ...................................................................................... 3-21 3.6.9 Upland Buffer ..................................................................................... 3-22 Mitigation Roles and Responsibilities ............................................................... 3-25 3.7.1 Restoration Ecologist .......................................................................... 3-25 3.7.2 Installation Contractor ........................................................................ 3-25 3.7.3 Maintenance Contractor ...................................................................... 3-26 Installation and Maintenance ............................................................................. 3-26 3.8.1 Plants and Seed ................................................................................... 3-27 3.8.2 Irrigation ............................................................................................. 3-27 3.8.3 Erosion Control ................................................................................... 3-28 3.8.4 Invasive Species Control..................................................................... 3-28 Performance Standards and Monitoring Compliance ........................................ 3-29 3.9.1 Qualitative Monitoring........................................................................ 3-30 3.9.2 Quantitative Monitoring...................................................................... 3-30 3.9.3 Photo Documentation.......................................................................... 3-31 3.9.4 Annual Monitoring Reports ................................................................ 3-31 Long-term Management..................................................................................... 3-32 3.10.1 Long-term Management Goals ........................................................... 3-32 3.10.2 Management Framework .................................................................... 3-33 3.10.3 Potential Role of Grazing Management .............................................. 3-33 3.10.4 Long-term Management Outcomes .................................................... 3-34

4.0

OVERALL BANK BENEFITS ........................................................................... 4-1 4.1 Ecological Benefits .............................................................................................. 4-2 4.1.1 Current and Expected Post-Project FACWet Scores ............................ 4-2 4.1.2 Contributions to Conservation .............................................................. 4-4 4.2 Regulatory Benefits ............................................................................................. 4-6 4.3 Economic Benefits ............................................................................................... 4-6

5.0

BANK CREDITING AND CREDIT TRANSFERS.............................................. 5-1

6.0

PROPOSED SERVICE AREAS ........................................................................ 6-2

7.0

REFERENCES .................................................................................................. 7-1

APPENDIX-

PHOTOGRAPHS

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Park Creek Station Mitigation Bank Prospectus

Table of Contents

LIST OF TABLES Page No. Table 2-1: Table 2-2: Table 3-1: Table 4-1: Table 5-1:

Soils Units .............................................................................................................. 2-5 Colorado Rare Plants with Potential to Occur ..................................................... 2-11 Park Creek Station Broad Restoration Goals ......................................................... 3-5 FACWet Variable Scores for Current and Proposed Post-Project Conditions .............................................................................................................. 4-3 Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank Proposed Credit Table with Categorization and Conversion of Mitigation strategies ........................................ 5-1

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Park Creek Station Mitigation Bank Prospectus

Table of Contents

LIST OF FIGURES Page No. Figure 1-1: Figure 2-1: Figure 2-2: Figure 2-3: Figure 2-4: Figure 2-5: Figure 3-1: Figure 3-2: Figure 6-1:

Vicinity Map .......................................................................................................... 1-2 USGS Topographic Map ........................................................................................ 2-2 Site Map ................................................................................................................. 2-3 NRCS Soils and Aerial Map .................................................................................. 2-6 Habitat Map ............................................................................................................ 2-8 Delineated Wetlands and Other Water Resources ............................................... 2-13 Baseline Conditions Map ....................................................................................... 3-9 Restoration Concept Map ..................................................................................... 3-10 Primary Service Area Map ..................................................................................... 6-3

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Park Creek Station Mitigation Bank Prospectus

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS Abbreviation o

F

Term/Phrase/Name

Degrees Fahrenheit

BEI

Bank Enabling Instrument

BMP

Best Management Practice

Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc.

CC&Rs

Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions

CE

Conservation Easement

CNHP

Colorado Natural Heritage Program

Corps

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

CPW

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

CWA

Clean Water Act

DOW

Division of Wildlife

ESA

Environmental Site Assessment

FACWet

Functional Assessment of Colorado Wetlands

FEMA

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FI

Functioning impaired

FIRM

Flood Insurance Rate Map

GPS

Global Positioning System

IRT

Interagency Review Team

State Land Board

Colorado State State Land Board

MBI

Mitigation Banking Instrument

NCA

Network of Conservation Areas

i

Burns & McDonnell

Park Creek Station Mitigation Bank Prospectus

NPIC

North Poudre Irrigation Company

NRCS

Natural Resources Conservation Service

NRHP

National Register of Historic Places

PCA

Potential Conservation Area

PEM

Palustrine Emergent

PSS

Palustrine Scrub-Shrub

REC

Recognized Environmental Conditions

SGCN

Species of Greatest Conservation Need

SWAP

State Wildlife Action Plan

ii

Burns & McDonnell

Park Creek Station Mitigation Bank Prospectus

1.0

INTRODUCTION

A conservation bank or wetland mitigation bank is a free-market enterprise that offers landowners economic incentives to protect natural resources, and can save time and money for parties with mitigation responsibilities by providing mitigation credits to offset certain permitted impacts in a specified geographic service area. Conservation banks protect threatened or endangered species habitat or other sensitive resources, while wetland mitigation banks conserve existing, restored, enhanced, or established wetland habitats. Wetland mitigation banks may, in some instances, also provide credit for listed species. Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc. (Burns & McDonnell) performed an assessment of Colorado State Land Board holdings to locate potential wetland mitigation banking opportunities. A suitable property in Larimer County was identified. This Draft Prospectus (Prospectus) is submitted as a first step in establishing the Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank (Park Creek Station, or Bank) located in Larimer County, Colorado (Figure 1-1). The proposed Bank would restore and manage approximately 505 acres of wetland, riparian, and buffer habitats along1.25 miles of Park Creek and would provide wetland mitigation credits to offset wetland impacts in the Cache La Poudre and adjacent watersheds. The Bank is named after the former Overland Stage Company station formerly located on the site (Photopoint 1 in the Appendix). Chapter 1 provides a summary of the proposed project including roles and responsibilities. The baseline information to describe the current condition and support the basic suitability of the selected property to provide compensatory mitigation is described in Chapter 2. The conceptual plan to restore, enhance, establish, preserve, and manage approximately 505 acres of wetland, riparian, and buffer habitat is discussed in Chapter 3. Overall benefits of establishing Park Creek Station are presented in Chapter 4. The proposed Credit Schedule is presented in Chapter 5. The Bank Service Area is described in Chapter 6. Burns & McDonnell intends to initiate preparation of the Bank Enabling Instrument (BEI) following the review of this Prospectus by the Interagency Review Team (IRT).

1.1

Responsible Parties

The establishment, implementation, and management of Park Creek Station will require the participation of various entities or requirements with defined roles and responsibilities. These include the Bank Sponsor, Land Owner, Interim and Long-term Land Managers, Endowment Holder, and Conservation Easement (CE) Holder or other land protection mechanism. These entities are discussed in further detail below.

1-1

Burns & McDonnell

WY

Surface Land Management

NE

Bureau of Land Management US Forest Service Fish and Wildlife Service UT

CO

Other Federal KS

State Fish and Wildlife State Parks and Recreation

OK

NM

County or City Land Private Conservation

W County Road 70

WELD COUNTY

Proposed Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank Property

287

LARIMER COUNTY

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State Trust Land AZ

25

Poudre River (SLB Public Access Program) 14

1

Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests

Laporte

NORTH Lory State Park

Fort Collins 3

1.5

0

3

Scale in Miles Proposed Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank Property Access Road

County Urban Area Perennial Stream

Interstate Highway Major Road

Park Creek Lake or Reservoir

Source: Esri; and Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc.

Figure 1-1 Vicinity Map Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank Larimer County, Colorado Issued: 9/1/2017

Park Creek Station Mitigation Bank Prospectus

1.1.1

Bank Sponsor Contact Information and Qualifications

The Bank Sponsor for the proposed Bank is Burns & McDonnell, an engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting firm based in Kansas City, Missouri, with offices in Centennial, Colorado. The Bank Sponsor will be responsible for all activities and costs associated with the establishment and operation of the Bank. Questions regarding this proposal and all subsequent questions, reviews, agency communications, and submittals related to the proposed Park Creek Station should be directed to: Mark Tucker Environmental Services National Mitigation Bank Design & Entitlement Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc. 9785 Maroon Circle, Suite 400, Centennial, CO 80112 562.458.7336 matucker@burnsmcd.com Founded in 1898, Burns & McDonnell comprises more than 5,000 engineers, architects, construction professionals, scientists, environmental consultants, and entrepreneurs with offices worldwide. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, we are proud to be 100 percent employee-owned, No. 16 on FORTUNE's 2016 list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, and a winner of numerous regional workplace honors. As a company doing business for more than 100 years, Burns & McDonnell provides the longevity, stability, strong financial resources, and in-house expertise to see the Bank from entitlement through its long-term management. We are a 100 percent employee-owned company offering a broad range of services and skill sets companywide so we can deploy our internal resources to develop banking projects that provide environmental and economic benefits and contribute to the restoration and conservation of sensitive habitats. At Burns & McDonnell, employee-ownership provides an increased level of responsibility, reward, and corresponding desire for excellence within our staff.

1.1.2

Land Owner

The Land Owner is the Colorado State Land Board (State Land Board). The State Land Board is the sole owner of the Park Creek Station property, including all associated mineral rights, and water rights through the North Poudre Irrigation Company.

1.1.3

Land Management

As Bank Sponsor, Burns & McDonnell will oversee bank establishment and the interim management activities. As Land Owner, the State Land Board will oversee the long-term management activities.

1-3

Burns & McDonnell

Park Creek Station Mitigation Bank Prospectus

Bank Establishment commences when the Mitigation Banking Instrument (MBI) is fully executed by all parties and the site is secured by a Conservation Restriction. Upon Bank Establishment, the first credit release will take place, and credit transfers may begin. The Interim Management Period commences with Bank Establishment and ends upon the first anniversary of the full funding of the Endowment Fund. Interim management activities are those management, monitoring, adaptive management, reporting, and other activities required by the MBI. During the Interim Management Period, the cost to conduct the monitoring and carry out the management activities are the responsibility of the Bank Sponsor. Once the Long-term Management and Maintenance Endowment Fund has been fully funded for 1 year, the Bank will enter the Long-term Management Period, at which point the State Land Board will become Land Manager.

1.1.4

Conservation Mechanisms

Several mechanisms may provide protections of conservation values on a property. These include Deed Restrictions, CEs, and Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs), among others. For the purposes of Park Creek Station, Burns & McDonnell anticipates using either a Deed Restriction or a CE to protect the property. Both mechanisms restrict the use of the property to only those conservation uses which are consistent with the MBI.

1.1.5

Endowment Holder

The Long-term Endowment Fund will be held in a non-wasting, interest-bearing account and managed by an entity approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). The Endowment Fund will be funded incrementally with deposits as credit transfers occur. The Endowment Holder will be an entity proposed by the Bank Sponsor and approved by the Corps to hold and administer the Endowment Fund in accordance with the terms and conditions of the MBI. The Endowment Holder will hold and manage the Endowment Fund. The purpose of the Endowment Fund is to provide income to fund perpetual management, maintenance, monitoring, and other activities within the Bank, consistent with the MBI. The term Endowment Fund refers to the Endowment Deposit and all interest, dividends, other earnings, additions, and appreciation. The Endowment Principal is the portion of the Endowment Fund to be maintained and managed in perpetuity to generate earnings and appreciation in value for use in funding perpetual management, maintenance, monitoring, and other activities as required by the MBI.

1-4

Burns & McDonnell

Park Creek Station Mitigation Bank Prospectus

During the Interim Management Period, the cost to conduct the monitoring and carry out the management activities will be the responsibility of the Bank Sponsor. Following completion of the Interim Management Period, the annual cost of monitoring and management will be funded through the interest generated by the Endowment Fund. The Endowment Fund will remain as a non-wasting endowment to manage the Bank consistent with the MBI. The Long-term Manager may use interest and earnings from the Endowment Fund to pay any costs and expenses reasonably incurred through the monitoring, maintenance, or long-term management of the Bank and consistent with the MBI, such as labor, contracts, equipment, materials, and signage.

1.2

Anticipated Schedule

Following review of this draft Prospectus, the Bank Sponsor anticipates moving forward on detailed engineering and other site analysis, culminating with submission of the BEI in late summer/early fall 2018.

1.3

Permits, Agreements, and Consultations

The Bank Sponsor will obtain all requisite authorizations for the establishment and use of Park Creek Station for offsite compensatory mitigation or restoration, as governed by Federal, State, and Local statutes, regulations, policies, and guidelines.

1-5

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Park Creek Station Mitigation Bank Prospectus

2.0

PROPERTY OVERVIEW

The Bank Sponsor conducted desktop and onsite investigations to evaluate current conditions at Park Creek Station and provide a baseline for bank design described in Chapter 3. Site reconnaissance and initial planning efforts began in fall 2016 and continued through July 2017, resulting in preliminary biological studies, wetland delineations, cultural resources surveys, and a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA). The studies will be updated and finalized for submission in the BEI. This chapter provides an overview of key biological and physical attributes considered later in more detail in the subsequent bank design chapter. The biological studies, cultural resources, and Phase I ESA were conducted for the entire property while the wetland delineations were conducted for a subset of the overall property where major potential wetlands occur. The biological resources review assessed general wildlife and plant communities, and considered the potential for federally listed species protected under the Endangered Species Act, and state-listed species and Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) identified by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) or Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). Following is a summary of the findings of these preliminary investigations.

2.1

Property Location

Park Creek Station is located approximately 12 miles north of Fort Collins and 6 miles northwest of the Town of Wellington, Larimer County, Colorado (Figure 1-1, Figure 2-1, and Figure 2-2). The bank will be located on an approximately 640-acre parcel (Figure 2-1) on Section 16 of Township 9 North, Range 64 West, 6th Principal Meridian, Latitude 40°44'50.71" North, Longitude -105°07'23.25" West (WGS84). The site is located on the Park Creek Hogbacks within the High Plains Level III ecoregion in the Cache la Poudre watershed (HUC 10190007).

2.2

Climate

Based on the closest weather center (Buckhorn Mountain 1 East, approximately 7.5 miles south of the property), the average annual precipitation is 21.5 inches with 15.15 inches in the growing season (AprilSeptember). The average high in January is 41 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) and the low is 20 °F. In July, the average high is 80 °F and the low is 56 °F (Western Regional Climate Center, 2017).

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Burns & McDonnell

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T9N R69W 5 4 3

8 9 10

17 16 15

20 21 22

29

28

27

Property Boundary

Township and Range

NORTH

Section

2,000

1,000

0

Source: Esri; USGS; and Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc.

Scale in Feet

2,000

Figure 2-1 USGS Topographic Map Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank Larimer County, Colorado

Issued: 8/29/2017

N County Road 19

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W County Road 70

W County Road 68

Property Boundary

NORTH

800

400

Source: Esri; and Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc.

0

Scale in Feet

800

Figure 2-2 Site Map Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank Larimer County, Colorado

Issued: 8/29/2017

Park Creek Station Mitigation Bank Prospectus

2.3

Current and Historic Land Uses

The State Land Board acquired the property upon statehood in 1876. The property is zoned as open range, has been historically grazed and otherwise modified by agricultural uses, and is currently leased out for cattle rangeland. Three cattle shelters located in the north-central portion of the property are the only existing structures on the property. The property is fenced and cross-fenced.

2.4

Topography

Park Creek, shown as an intermittent stream on the U.S. Geological Survey map, generally flows south across the property in a small plain adjacent to the Park Creek Hogbacks (Figure 2-1). The elevation at the site ranges from 5,300 to 5,400 feet above sea level. Elevation of Park Creek generally decreases from north to south from approximately 5,400 to 5,300 feet above mean sea level. Two intermittent streams, including Park Creek, traverse the center and eastern half of the property.

2.5

Ecoregion

Park Creek Station is located within the Front Range Fans Ecoregion near the border of the adjacent High Plains Ecoregion. The physiography of the Front Range Fans Ecoregion is characterized by fans, irregular plains, and scattered low hills and hogbacks. Intermittent and perennial streams in this ecoregion have gravelly, silty, and sandy substrates. Streams tend to be cooler than in other High Plains regions and contain many Front Range aquatic species.

2.6

Geology

According to the geologic map of Colorado (Tweto, 1979), the property is situated on organic-rich shale, numerous bentonite beds, and sandstone of the Dakota Sandstone and Purgatoire Formation. Ten water wells are mapped within 1 mile of the property. These water wells are listed for domestic, monitoring, stock, or other uses.

2.7

Soils

According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), 17 different soil map units are located within the property (Table 2-1; Figure 2-3).

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Park Creek Station Mitigation Bank Prospectus

Table 2-1: Soils Units Unit Label

Name

Landscape Location

Drainage Class

Frequency of Flooding

5a

Aquepts, loamy

Depressions, draws, stream terraces

Very poorly drained

Rare

24

Connerton-Barnum complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes

Connerton: Floodplains, fans, stream terraces; Barnum: Terraces, fans, valleys

Well drained (both)

Connerton: None; Barnum: Occasional

a

Connerton-Barnum complex, 3 to 9 percent slopes

Connerton: Floodplains, fans, stream terraces; Barnum: Terraces, fans, valleys

Well drained (both)

Connerton: None; Barnum: Occasional

35

Fort Collins loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes

Flat interfluves on plains

Well drained

None

40

Garrett loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes

Terraces, fans

Well drained

None

44a

Haplustolls, hilly

Foothills, fans, ridges

Well drained

None

53a

Kim loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes

Uplands, fans

Well drained

None

54a

Kim loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes

Uplands, fans

Well drained

None

55

Kim loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes

Uplands, fans

Well drained

None

56a

Kim-Thedalund loams, 3 to 15 percent slopes

Kim: Uplands, valley sides, fans; Thedalund: Uplands

Well drained (both)

None

59

Laporte-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 30 percent slopes

Ridges, uplands

Well drained

None

63a

Longmont clay, 0 to 3 percent slopes

Floodplains, valleys

Poorly drained

Occasional

66

Minnequa silt loam, 3 to 0 percent slopes

Uplands

Well drained

None

90

Renohill clay loam, 3 to 9 percent slopes

Uplands

Well drained

None

93

Rock outcrop

N/A

N/A

N/A

95

Satanta loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes

Terraces, uplands

Well drained

None

96

Satanta loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes

Terraces, uplands

Well drained

None

25

Source: USDA NRCS Web Soil Survey (2017) (a) = hydric soil

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Burns & McDonnell

Soil Unit Symbol - Soil Name 5 - Aquepts, loamy** 24 - Connerton-Barnum complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes 25 - Connerton-Barnum complex, 3 to 9 percent slopes* 34 - Fort Collins loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 35 - Fort Collins loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes 40 - Garrett loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes 44 - Haplustolls, hilly*

46 - Harlan fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes* 53 - Kim loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes* 54 - Kim loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes* 55 - Kim loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes 56 - Kim-Thedalund loams, 3 to 15 percent slopes* 59 - Laporte-Rock outcrop complex, 3 to 30 percent slopes 60 - Larim gravelly sandy loam, 5 to 40 percent slopes 63 - Longmont clay, 0 to 3 percent slopes*

66 - Minnequa silt loam, 3 to 9 percent slopes* 74 - Nunn clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 90 - Renohill clay loam, 3 to 9 percent slopes 93 - Rock outcrop 95 - Satanta loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes 96 - Satanta loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes 102 - Stoneham loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes 103 - Stoneham loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes

93

25

46

96

74

96

W County Road 70

5

25

35

5 24 96

40

35

95

40 63 96 40

66

59

56

34 59

96

66 53

55

93

24

44

54

N County Road 19

Path: Z:\General\KCM\ESP\Marketing\Bus_Dev\MitBanking\Colorado\Park Creek Station\3 Tech Studies\Geospatial\DataFiles\ArcDocs\MitigationBankProspectus\PC_2-3Soils.mxd ajreither 8/29/2017 COPYRIGHT © 2017 BURNS & McDONNELL ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC. Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community

Double asterisk (**) indicates hydric soil. Single asterisk (*) indicates hydric inclusion soils.

54

53

54

56 90 95

34 102

93 54

66

96

59 63 95

40

W County Road 68

66 Property Boundary NORTH

Hydric Soil Hydric Inclusion Soil Soil Map Unit Local Street

800

400

0

800

Scale in Feet

Source: Esri; NRCS Soils Data for Larimer County, Colorado; and Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc.

Figure 2-3 NRCS Soils and Aerial Map Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank Larimer County, Colorado Issued: 8/29/2017

Park Creek Station Mitigation Bank Prospectus

Seven of the 17 soil map units are considered hydric soils. Most of these soils are well drained but Aquepts and Longmont clay are considered very poorly drained and poorly drained, respectively. Flooding occurs occasionally or rarely on Aquepts, Connerton-Barnum complexes, and Longmont clay.

2.8

Floodplains

The 2006 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) indicates that no special flood hazard areas subject to inundation by the 1 percent annual chance flood event are present within the property.

2.9

Cultural Resources

A review of historic cultural resources information indicated no recorded historic structures or archaeological sites listed on or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) are present within the Project Area. The review of cultural resources concludes that significant cultural resources are not expected to be negatively affected by restoration activities.

2.10

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)

A Phase I ESA was performed to evaluate previous ownership of the property and to investigate that it was consistent with good commercial and customary practice. Since 1876, the property has been used for a former school house, a former stage coach station, an electrical transmission line right-of-way, grazing, and agricultural purposes. Evidence of rangeland and cropland use since 1876 was also observed. No Recognized Environmental Conditions (REC)s were identified on the site.

2.11

Vegetation Communities

Several vegetation communities are present on the site, including riparian areas, wet meadows, slope wetlands, upland shrubland, mixed grassland, hayfields, prairie dog town, and Niobrara barrens (Figure 2-4). Riparian areas are largely located along Park Creek, an intermittent stream that flows south through the property. The riparian area along Park Creek is dominated by herbaceous vegetation, but includes some scattered and small patches of shrubs and trees. Herbaceous vegetation in the riparian areas includes black bent, bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), curly dock (Rumex crispus), reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), and softstem bulrush (Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani). Shrub and tree species located in the riparian areas include common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), narrowleaf willow (Salix exigua), ash-leaf maple (Acer negundo), Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia), and eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides).

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N County Road 19

Path: Z:\General\KCM\ESP\Marketing\Bus_Dev\MitBanking\Colorado\Park Creek Station\3 Tech Studies\Geospatial\DataFiles\ArcDocs\MitigationBankProspectus\PC_2-4VegHabitat.mxd ajreither 8/29/2017 COPYRIGHT © 2017 BURNS & McDONNELL ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC. Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community

W County Road 70

W County Road 68

NORTH

800

400

0

800

Scale in Feet Property Boundary (629 ac) Unnamed Tributary Park Creek (1.0 ac) Riparian Emergent Wetland (1.2 ac) Riparian Scrub-Shrub Wetland (0.3 ac) Riparian Woodland (6.2 ac) Wet Meadow (12.2 ac) Slope Wetland Complex (46.1 ac)

Alkali Playa Complex (21.9 ac) Niobrara Barrens (22.7 ac) Mixed Grasslands (92.3 ac) Upland Shrubland (264.2 ac) Prairie Dog Town (122.8 ac) Hayfield/Grassland (36.7 ac) Canal (2.0 ac)

Source: Esri; USGS-National Hydrography Dataset (NHD); and Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc.

Figure 2-4 Habitat Map Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank Larimer County, Colorado Issued: 8/29/2017

Park Creek Station Mitigation Bank Prospectus

Wet meadows and slope wetlands are located on Park Creek stream terraces and higher slopes that drain to Park Creek. Stream terraces on both sides of Park Creek contain wet meadows where water slowly moves horizontally across the landscape. Groundwater discharge is the dominant source of water in these wetlands. Vegetation in the wet meadows and slope wetlands is similar and is dominated by Nebraska sedge, Baltic rush, common threesquare (Schoenoplectus pungens), foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum) and common spike-rush (Eleocharis palustris). The dominant vegetation community in the Project area is upland shrubland. This vegetation community is dominated by shrubs but also contains many grasses and herbs. Shrubs present in the upland shrubland include fourwing saltbrush (Atriplex canescens), rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa), wood's rose (Rosa woodsia), and common snowberry. Herbaceous vegetation and grasses in this area include pigweed (Amaranthus sp.), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), horseweed (Erigeron canadensis), yellow sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis), Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), smooth brome (Bromus inermis), cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), and western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii). Mixed grasslands are present in multiple locations on the property. As typically has occurred in eastern Colorado, mixed grasslands on the site have been regularly disturbed by grazing and haying. As a result, they are generally degraded and lack the diversity and extent of plant species that would have historically been present. Common vegetation in the mixed grasslands includes pigweed, Canada thistle, horseweed, American licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota), Canada goldenrod, mullein, (Verbascum thapsus), smooth brome, cheatgrass, western wheatgrass, and intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium). A large hayfield is located on the eastern side of Park Creek. This field is vegetated with a mix of native and non-native forb and grass species. Representative for species includes pigweed, knapweed (Centaurea sp.), Canada thistle, houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale), American licorice, curly dock, and mullein. Representative grass species include smooth brome, cheatgrass, saltgrass, foxtail barley, Great Basin lyme grass (Leymus cinereus), western wheatgrass, bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), and intermediate wheatgrass. Prairie dog town areas are present in multiple locations on the eastern and western sides of Park Creek. Prairie dogs typically inhabit areas of short and medium grass prairies. In these areas, they clip the vegetation to maintain an open view of the surroundings. Vegetation in the prairie dog town areas is essentially the same as that found in the mixed grasslands and hayfields.

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Park Creek Station Mitigation Bank Prospectus

Niobrara barrens are present in the southwest corner of the Property and appear light grey on aerial photography (Figure 2-4). In Colorado, barrens occupy less than 1 percent of Colorado acreage, but support more than 20 percent of the rarest plant species (CPW, 2015b). Drought and wind erosion are the most common natural dynamics affecting this habitat type. The light grey color is due to the outcrop consisting of mostly shale, which weathers to light buff or whitish color resembling chalk (Tweto, 1979). Shale creates soils rich in selenium, which may support unusual plants such as Bell's twinpod (Physaria belli). Vegetation observed in the Niobrara barrens habitat type on the Project site include buckwheat (Eriogonum sp.), yucca (Yucca glauca), blazing star (Mentzelia sp.), curley cup gumweed (Grindelia squarrosa), prickly pear (Opuntia sp.), snakeweed (Guitierrezia sarothrae), three-leaf sumac (Rhus trilobata), Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides), Penstemon (Penstemon sp.), and hairy false goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa).

2.12

Invasive Species

The Colorado Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed List (effective date 3/31/17) was used to classify invasive species. There are no List A species recorded on the property. The four List B species on the property are Russian olive, Canada thistle, and houndstongue. The List C species include mullein (Verbascum thapsus), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), and cheatgrass (called downy brome on the noxious weed list). Other invasive species documented on the property that can be problematic include yellow sweet clover, smooth brome, Kochia (Kochia scoparia), knotweed (Polygonum persicaria), and intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium).

2.13

Colorado Natural Heritage Program Data

CNHP data received on November 20, 2016, included the locations and status of rare and/or imperiled species and natural communities known from, or likely to occur, within a half-mile radius of Section 16 of Township 9 North, Range 69 West (Project Boundary). Two species (Townsend's big-eared bat and Bell's twinpod), as well as two natural communities, mixed foothill shrublands (Cercocarpus montanus / Hesperostipa comata) and foothills shrubland (Cercocarpus montanus / Hesperostipa neomexicana), were included in this list. The only species reported for the property is Bell's twinpod, which was last observed on May 4, 2004. Focused surveys were not conducted as part of this preliminary analysis. A level 4 potential conservation area (PCA) report was also included in the CNHP data. A PCA is an ecological conservation and planning tool used to highlight unique elements of biodiversity. Two PCAs were identified, one of very high biodiversity significance (B2) and one of high biodiversity significance (B3). The B2 PCA is mapped in the southwestern corner of the property near the Niobrara barrens. The associated elements of biodiversity for the B2 PCA include several habitat types, including mountain

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Park Creek Station Mitigation Bank Prospectus

mahogany/Griffith's wheatgrass shrubland, mountain mahogany- skunkbush/big bluestem shrubland, mixed foothill shrublands, and mixed mountain shrublands. The B3 site is located west and adjacent to the property. The associated elements of biodiversity for this site include the Bell's twinpod and foothills shrubland.

2.14

Rare Plants

Colorado has no state statute protecting rare plants, and therefore no list of state threatened or endangered plant species. Lists of Tier 1 (G1 critically imperiled including all federally listed species) and Tier 2 (imperiled species that are not federally listed) Plant Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are included in Appendix A of the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). Tier 1 and Tier 2 plants occur in alpine, barrens, cliffs and canyons, grasslands, forests, pinyon-juniper woodlands, shrublands, and wetlands. In addition to the SWAP, the CNHP Colorado Rare Plant Guide was also reviewed, which indicated that two rare plant species could potentially be found within the property. Table 2-2 summarizes the Colorado rare plants designated by CNHP that have the potential to occur within the property, as well as their corresponding conservation tier designated by the SWAP. Focused surveys were not conducted as part of this preliminary analysis. Table 2-2: Colorado Rare Plants with Potential to Occur

Species

Statusa

Showy prairie gentian G5 (Eustoma grandiflorum)

Bell's twinpod (Physaria bellii)

Description of Preferred Habitat

Along streams; in wet meadows, pastures, and fields; usually near old stream meanders or at the margins of lakes or ponds. Often in alkaline soils. Elevation 3,500 to 6,000 feet

Front Range foothills often in shale and limestone soils of the Fountain/Ingleside, Lykins, Niobrara, G2G3/S2S3 and Pierre formations. Associated with grassland and shrubland habitats, in rock areas and road cuts. Elevation 5,089 to 6,552 feet

Determination of Potential Habitat Present

SWAP Tier

Yes. Suitable habitat along Park Creek, wet meadows, hayfields, mixed grasslands, and intermittent drainages.

NA

Yes. Suitable habitat in the Niobrara formations in the southwest corner of the property. CNHP data reported observations from 2004.

Tier 2

(a) G2: Globally Imperiled - At high risk of extinction due to very restricted range, very few populations (often 20 or fewer), steep declines, or other factors; G3: Globally Vulnerable - At moderate risk of extinction due to a restricted range, relatively few populations (often 80 or fewer), recent and widespread declines, or other factors; G5: Demonstrably secure; S2: State Imperiled - Uncommon but not rare; some cause for long-term concern due to declines or other factors; S3: State Vulnerable - Common; widespread and abundant.

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Park Creek Station Mitigation Bank Prospectus

2.15

Hydrology, Existing Wetland and Aquatic Resources

Burns & McDonnell conducted wetland and water body delineations within the Park Creek Station Site on two different occasions to determine the location and extent of potentially jurisdictional wetland communities based on the presence of hydrophytic vegetation, wetland hydrology, and hydric soils. A total of 31.66 acres of waters of the U.S. were delineated within the entire 640-acre property. A geomorphologist visited the site in July 2017, to evaluate the condition of Park Creek. A summary of this visual assessment is also provided below. Delineated wetlands are shown in Figure 2-5.

2.15.1

Methods

The wetland delineation was conducted in accordance with the 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual (1987 Manual) and the 2010 Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Great Plains Region ­ Version 2.0 (Regional Supplement). Sample plots were established at multiple locations, and Wetland Determination Data Forms from the Regional Supplement were completed to characterize the study area. Vegetation, soil characteristics, and hydrologic indicators were recorded at each of these sample plots. Locations of sample plots and other identified features were surveyed using a sub-meter accurate global positioning system (GPS) unit. Natural color photographs were taken onsite to record conditions during the wetland delineations.

2.15.2

Delineated Wetlands

A total of 0.98 acre of the Park Creek stream, 0.28 acre of palustrine scrub-shrub (PSS) wetland, and 30.40 acres of palustrine emergent (PEM) wetland were delineated within the proposed Park Creek Station (Figure 2-5). A description of the delineated wetlands and water bodies is provided below.

2.15.2.1

Park Creek

Park Creek is an intermittent stream that traverses the site from north to south. The channel consists of a meandering low flow channel within a larger, incised "floodplain." The substrate consists primarily of sand and silt. Slopes are steep in some areas and gradual in others. The property is in the Front Range Fans ecoregion, which borders the northern Front Range of the Southern Rockies in Colorado. Streams like Park Creek tend to be cooler than in other High Plains regions and can contain many Front Range aquatic species. A hydraulic water control diversion structure is located along Park Creek in the central portion of the Park Creek Station. The structure can be used to divert water from Park Creek into the North Poudre Supply Canal. Scheduled and natural flows continue downstream.

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Not Surveyed

U1_01

Up r# pe

Mu nro

N County Road 19

eG rav ity D

itch

1

Path: Z:\General\KCM\ESP\Marketing\Bus_Dev\MitBanking\Colorado\Park Creek Station\3 Tech Studies\Geospatial\DataFiles\ArcDocs\MitigationBankProspectus\PC_2-5Wetlands.mxd ajreither 8/29/2017 COPYRIGHT © 2017 BURNS & McDONNELL ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC. Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community

k ree rkC Pa

W County Road 70

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Pa rk 800 Cr 400 ee k

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Scale in Feet Property Boundary

Slope Wetland Complex (38.5 ac)

Park Creek (1.0 ac)

Alkali Playa Complex (12.8 ac)

Current Drainage Pattern

Delineated Wetland (30.3 ac)

NHD Flowline Diversion Structure Local Street Source: Esri; USGS-National Hydrography Dataset (NHD); and Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc.

Figure 2-5 Delineated Wetlands and Other Water Resources Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank Larimer County, Colorado Issued: 8/29/2017

Park Creek Station Mitigation Bank Prospectus

Park Creek flows south and is a tributary of Cache la Poudre River. Flows have been observed in all seasons, and the creek maintains flow outside of transfer season. The Creek reaches seem to have hydrology that mimics the expected general seasonal patterns. The Water Source variable in FACWet appears to score as Functioning. A detailed accounting of the hydraulics and hydrology will be provided in the BEI. The Park Creek channel appears longitudinally stable, and the channel slope is relatively consistent except in two locations where minor vertical drops are present. Excessive bank erosion is not present except in locations where impacted by cattle. Park Creek riparian area is sparsely and patchily vegetated with grasses, occasional shrubs, and scattered mature trees with large amounts of bare ground. Right bank erosion is present in the upper reaches of the channel. Approximately five locations of severe erosion are present within the upper 1,500 feet of the channel. Vertical faces, ranging from approximately 4 to 12 feet high are present. Active erosion is present in several locations.

2.15.2.2

PSS Wetlands

PSS wetlands are located within the riparian area adjacent to Park Creek. Dominant vegetation includes black bent (Agrostis gigantea), Baltic rush (Juncus balticus), and narrow-leaf willow (Salix exigua). Soils typically exhibit the Redox Dark Surface Hydric Soil indicator. The wetland hydrology indicators present include Oxidized Rhizospheres on Living Roots and the FAC-Neutral Test and Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery.

2.15.2.3

PEM Wetlands

Multiple PEM wetlands are located adjacent to the Park Creek stream channel. Dominant vegetation in these wetlands includes Baltic rush, Nebraska sedge (Carex nebrascensis), black bent, and barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli). Soils in the PEM wetlands typically exhibit a redox dark surface hydric soil indicator. Oxidized rhizospheres on living roots are the primary indicator of wetland hydrology, while secondary indicators are high water table and saturation within the upper 12 inches. A large PEM wetland is located on the terrace east of Park Creek and likely receives water from irrigation ditches during irrigation season. Dominant vegetation includes Baltic rush, foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum), black bent, and common threesquare (Schoenoplectus pungens). This wetland appears to be connected to Park Creek through swales, irrigation ditches, and the intermittent channel located at the southern end of the wetland. Several wetlands identified on the west side of Park Creek are slope wetlands. Groundwater discharge appears to be the main source of water for these wetlands. The vegetation in these wetlands is largely

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Park Creek Station Mitigation Bank Prospectus

dominated by Baltic rush, Nebraska sedge, and common threesquare. During the wetland delineation, the vegetation in these wetlands was highly impacted by grazing. One large PEM wetland located in the southern part of the property is a depressional wetland. Common vegetation in this wetland included Baltic rush, alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides), coastal salt grass (Distichlis spicata), and tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia caespitosa). A salt crust is present in many locations in and around this wetland. Water from this wetland drains south and eventually enters Park Creek south of the property.

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3.0

BANK DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT

"To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering. - Aldo Leopold Burns & McDonnell believes the proposed mitigation planning described in this chapter is consistent with, and makes a significant regional contribution to the national policy of no net loss of wetland area and function and the CWA objective to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation's waters. The proposed Bank Design and Management, including the assessment of the current function and the future value of the proposed restoration areas, is informed by the restoration vision (Section 3.3), and the following assumptions (based on Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 2011): ·

Wetland and riparian areas provide disproportionately important habitat for a diverse array of plant and wildlife species.

·

Hydrologic, biogeochemical, and habitat functions of wetlands are ecologically significant and socioeconomically important.

·

The condition of upland habitats that buffer wetland and riparian areas is associated with the integrity of adjacent wetland and riparian areas. Adjacent upland habitats are also important to wildlife species that only require wetland and riparian habitats for a portion or specific component of their annual lifecycle.

·

Wetland types vary across geographical locations and climate, and preserving wetland diversity across all spatial scales is paramount to the success of wetland conservation and mitigation programs.

·

A landscape strategy is effective in restoring wetlands and conserving healthy functioning wetlands and riparian habitats of all types.

·

Different wetland types, conditions, and goals require suitable and appropriate science-based restoration strategies and management actions.

This chapter describes current stressors, restoration potential, conceptual restoration design, mitigation methods, installation and maintenance, monitoring, and long-term management.

3.1

Current Site Stressors

Livestock grazing has been a traditional livelihood in Larimer County since the late 1800s and can be a beneficial natural management tool as well as an important economic practice and western tradition. However, where historic overgrazing occurs, it can lead to drastic and severe changes in hydrology, plant

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and animal community composition, and soil characteristics. Livestock tend to prefer wetland and riparian areas with access to shade, water, and good forage. This preference for wetland and riparian areas during the hot season leads to riparian damage and is linked with overuse in areas where grazing management does not specifically control this preference. Historic and intense livestock grazing has been and continues to be a major source of disturbance on the Park Creek Station property, with documented negative effects on streams, wetlands, riparian areas, and other native habitats onsite (Photopoints 2 through 6 in the Appendix). The abundance of typical streamside vegetation has been drastically reduced, and grazing during the summer growth period prevents significant regeneration. Decades of intensive livestock grazing on riparian areas has reduced woody plants to widely scattered, remnant trees and occasional shrubs. The remaining trees and shrubs provide a spatially limited source of seed, and unrestricted livestock grazing in the creek eliminates young plants. The site has little vertical or horizontal structure, low species diversity (richness and evenness), with only the most disturbance-resistant species still present in any numbers, and a high percentage of non-native species (33 to 47% in most instances, depending on habitat type) including noxious species in the riparian and wetland habitats onsite. A review of the photolog in the Appendix will document many of the other classic effects of livestock grazing on wetland, riparian, and upland resources described herein. Streambank disturbance and erosion associated with historic over-grazing can lead to channel widening or incision, and entrapment of the flow within a gully, which can reduce overbank flows and cause the riparian area to become drier (Sarr, 2002). Well-documented physical changes associated with excessive livestock grazing such as streambank destabilization, erosion, and soil compaction (Kauffman et al., 1983; Trimble and Mendel, 1995) have been observed onsite. Functioning or better low-gradient streams and wetlands systems typically have a high proportion of hydric or wetland species (Coles-Ritchie et al., 2007), while heavily impacted systems such as Park Creek have relatively fewer hydric species. Loss and/or simplification of wetland and riparian habitat through trampling and foraging affects most aspects of the life history of wetland and riparian birds (Saab et al., 1995), wildlife (Lohman, 2004), and fish (Stuber, 1986). Eighty-two percent of all bird species annually breeding in northern Colorado occur in riparian vegetation (Knopf, 1985). The bird community onsite currently appears to be limited to more generalist/cosmopolitan species and/or use the decadent structure such as tree swallow, barn owl, great horned owl, European starling, and yellow warbler. Raptors such as bald eagle, northern harrier, and American kestrel are known from the area and have been observed in the project vicinity and flying over the site.

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Livestock grazing impacts birds through direct effects such as trampling of nest sites for ground-nesting birds, and indirectly causes a significant decrease in bird species abundance and diversity, largely by eliminating or drastically reducing the characteristic habitat structure and community composition needed by resident and migratory birds, especially shrubs and younger trees for nesting and other functions (Taylor, 1986; Knopf et al., 1988). Livestock grazing in riparian willow (Salix spp.) communities in Colorado resulted in a shift in the bird community composition from habitat specialists toward habitat generalists (Knopf et al., 1988). Detailed biological surveys will be completed after acceptance of this prospectus, but the Bank Sponsor has observed very little songbird activity, and except for raptors, the few other birds observed were mostly cosmopolitan, nuisance, or generalist species. Loss of vegetation structure onsite would be expected to affect invertebrate prey for insectivorous birds, which can impact not only basic site suitability, but likely reproductive output as well. Livestock affects large game primarily through habitat alteration and behavioral avoidance (Krausman, 1996). The Bank Sponsor has no specific information regarding livestock-wildlife interactions onsite other than antelope and deer have been observed onsite. Fish populations are sensitive to changes in stream cover, water depth, and bank stability due to livestock impacts. Fish may be beneficiaries of the proposed restoration efforts, but they are not proposed as target or indicator species or as major taxa for assessment. Currently degraded wetland and riparian areas are characterized by: ·

Little vegetation to protect and stabilize streambanks and shade stream

·

Poor habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms

·

Poor habitat for wildlife

3.2

Expected Restoration Outcomes

Restoration and proper grazing management in wetland and riparian areas and their buffers can lead to significant improvements in riparian and stream condition. Reduction or elimination of livestock grazing has been associated with: ·

Increased streambank stability (Myers and Swanson, 1995)

·

Decreased soil compaction and increased infiltration (Bohn and Buckhouse, 1985; Wheeler et al., 2002; Kauffman et al., 2004)

·

Changes in community structure and composition (Leege et al., 1981; Dobkin et al., 1998)

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·

Increased native species density, cover, and species diversity in wetland and riparian areas (Schultz and Leininger, 1990; Green and Kauffman, 1995; Case and Kauffman, 1997; Brookshire et al., 2002)

·

The process of channel narrowing and stream system evolution and recovery (Magilligan and McDowell, 1997; Platts, 1981; Hubert et al., 1985; Myers and Swanson, 1995; Clary, 1999).

There is a relationship between wetland and riparian vegetation, stable streambanks, overbank flows, infiltration, and water storage noted by Thurow (1991) and Angers and Caron (1998). Removal of livestock has been related to dramatic increases in infiltration, including a 3-fold increase in wet meadows and an 11-fold increase in dry meadows (Kauffman et al., 2004). The restoration activities proposed below will begin the positive feedback between moisture retention, plant growth, and soil macropore formation by roots. Plant communities can rapidly switch from disturbance-resistant ruderal grasses to hydrophytic plant communities in riparian areas after the removal of grazing (Hough-Snee et al., 2013). Batchelor and others (2015) reported a four-fold increase in willow and rushes, drastic decreases in bare ground, and forb and mesic shrub cover increases by 68 and 29 percent, respectively, in the riparian areas using passive restoration methods. With the increase in riparian vegetation, bird abundance increased in the study period by 33 percent. The authors documented a predictable succession from bare soil to herbaceous vegetation to woody plants following livestock exclusion. Using ground and space images to monitor willow responses to a modified grazing regime, Booth and others (2012) documented a nearly three-fold increase in willow cover on one stream and a more than two-fold increase in willow cover on three other streams during the first 3 years of a new grazing plan. They reported this trend to be consistent with the well-documented effects of reduced livestock grazing in other studies (Brookshire et al., 2002; Case and Kauffman, 1997; Holland et al., 2005; Schulz and Leininger, 1990). Restored wetland and riparian areas will be characterized by: ·

Diverse vegetation and root systems, which protect and stabilize streambanks;

·

Vegetation will shade stream benefitting aquatic organisms and fish

·

Improved habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms

·

Improved habitat for wildlife

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3.3

Restoration Vision

Aldo Leopold, one of America's most influential conservation thinkers, elaborates on the quote that opened the chapter by writing: People should take care of the land as a "whole organism" and try to keep all the cogs and wheels in good working order. A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise. Aldo Leopold, Round River: From the Journals of Aldo Leopold The simple idea of keeping all the cogs and wheels in good working order inspired our restoration vision for Park Creek Station: We will consider the biotic and abiotic interactions across various scales within the landscape when planning and implementing our design and management plan, and try to conserve and restore necessary structural elements and functional processes in their highest attainable and sustainable state. Wherever possible we will take advantage of opportunities to restore all aspects of the "ecosystem" on the landscape, especially when it includes the potential for multiple levels of species and habitat diversity, and ecological, hydrologic, and other relevant interactions. The restoration project is successful when the appropriate response variables in the science-based monitoring program show progress toward, or attainment of, goals based on ecological concepts of integrity and stability, and considering societal values such as ecosystem services, aesthetics, or education. Otherwise, remedial measures or adaptive management actions should be developed and implemented.

3.4

Broad Restoration Goals

Broad goals for six key ecosystem attribute categories adopted from McDonald and others (2016) are listed in Table 3-1. Table 3-1: Park Creek Station Broad Restoration Goals Attribute

Broad Goals

Absence of threats

Elimination or effective modification of grazing regime; control of invasive species including noxious weeds

Physical conditions

Maximizing hydrological and substrate conditions

Species composition

Presence of desirable plant and animal species and control of undesirable species

Structural diversity

Reference level of layers (vertical), faunal food webs, and spatial habitat diversity

Ecosystem functionality

Predominantly reference standard levels of growth and productivity, nutrient cycling, decomposition, habitat elements, plant-animal interactions, normal stressors, ongoing reproduction and regeneration of the ecosystem's species

External exchanges

Scale-specific contributions to linkages and connectivity for migration and gene flow; and for flows including hydrology, fire, or other landscape scale processes

Source: McDonald et. al, 2016

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These categories are by necessity broad at the prospectus level of conceptual planning. The attributes will be subdivided into more detailed subcategories and specific project goals and objectives in the BEI. Specific and measurable indicators of ecological performance will be developed for the various mitigation strategies to evaluate the goals and objectives. Each restoration objective will state the attribute or subattribute being manipulated, the desired outcome (e.g., increase, decrease, maintain), the magnitude, level, or other details of the effect (e.g., specific percent native facultative or wetter plant cover), and the timeframe for achieving the desired outcome.

3.5

General Restoration Strategies and Actions

Wetland and riparian areas on the Front Range are often subjected to extensive anthropogenic disturbance that often results in the wetland and riparian areas becoming heavily degraded (CPW, 2015b). The Bank Sponsor will use livestock exclusion and/or management coupled with passive and active restoration actions to facilitate the well-documented and expected shift to species and conditions more commonly found in reference standard wetlands and riparian areas. As established above, there can be dramatic results from passive restoration following the removal of livestock from a system (Batchelor, 2015) or a modified grazing management (Booth et al., 2012). Differential palatability in livestock forage may mean that more favored wetland and riparian species will recover simply with removal of the grazing pressures. However, the Bank Sponsor believes that the restoration actions described in this prospectus should include both passive and active restoration methods to achieve the desired restoration outcomes in the typical timeframes associated with mitigation banking and the monitoring and reporting of compensatory mitigation projects. Active restoration methods such as planting and seeding, minor earth and streambank work, aggressive maintenance, and proper management including any natural resource-oriented grazing management plans and the installation of wildlife friendly fences to encourage native ungulate use will be needed to restore onsite wetland and riparian systems given the extent of wetland and riparian damage within the proposed Park Creek Station. Four chemical properties of the soil (pH, electrical conductivity, sodium adsorption ratio, and percent organic matter) are especially important to consider during restoration planning (Colorado Natural Areas Program et al., 1998). Soil tests will inform the selection of species and/or amendments best suited for each mitigation strategy. We expect plant communities will change dramatically in response to the restoration and management shift, more closely resembling what was present prior to grazing pressures.

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3.6

Bank Layout and Conceptual Design

To accomplish the whole system restoration, nine area-specific mitigation strategies will be implemented as part of the 505-acre mitigation project at Park Creek Station (Figure 3-2). Implementation of the nine mitigation strategies would result in approximately 110 acres of wetland and riparian restoration and establishment, 71 acres of wetland and stream buffers, and 324 acres of upland buffers. The nine mitigation strategies are: ·

Riparian/Wetland Rehabilitation

·

Riparian Woodland Restoration

·

Riparian Woodland Enhancement

·

Riparian Woodland Establishment

·

Seasonal Wetland Establishment

·

Wetland Rehabilitation

·

Wetland Buffer

·

Stream Buffer

·

Upland Buffer Tier I

·

Upland Buffer Tier II

·

Upland Buffer Tier III

The current condition of each mitigation strategy and the restoration potential are discussed in Sections 3.6.1 through 3.6.9. The current condition of each area is photo-documented and captioned in the Appendix, with a photo-key provided on Figure 3-1. The proposed locations of each mitigation strategy are shown in Figure 3-2. The conversion of mitigation acres to wetland credits is covered in Chapter 5.0.

3.6.1

Riparian/Wetland Rehabilitation

The Riparian/Wetland Rehabilitation involves the restoration of 1.25 miles of Park Creek within the top of upper streambank, or as previously defined, the Park Creek System (Figure 3-1). As shown on Figure 3-2, the Riparian/Wetland Rehabilitation will occur within the entire length of the Park Creek System using the "top of bank" or edge of the topographic floodplain from Figure 3-1 to define its outer east and west boundaries. The amount proposed is approximately 9.2 acres.

3.6.1.1

Current Condition

The photographic documentation of the current condition of the Riparian/Wetland Rehabilitation area is in the Appendix, Photopoints 7 to 14.

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The creek and hydrologic floodplain is stable and shows evidence of natural channel evolution in reestablishing a broader hydrologic floodplain. The entire system currently lacks shrub and other understory elements. The small patches of remaining willows are hedged or otherwise constricted in shape from summer browsing by livestock. Wetland and riparian shrubs are largely absent or severely limited in distribution and patch size. Species that remain in the system are persistent increaser and/or disturbance-loving species, including non-native and noxious weeds. The streambanks and terraces have been trampled and pugged, resulting in unvegetated and unstable streambanks. The hydraulics of the creek appear to mimic natural patterns, with a mix of natural and diverted water after May and return to unsupplemented hydrology by fall and through late spring again. Adjacent groundwater sources visibly discharge into the creek from seeps along the upper eastern banks in the northern reach. The northern reach is more entrenched with a narrower hydrologic floodplain than the southern reach. The southern reach has a broader hydrologic floodplain and more immediate potential for direct connections to the topographic floodplain than the northern reach. Both reaches have been qualitatively assessed to be stable in longitudinal profile with some areas identified where bank improvements and other physical modifications could be made to accelerate natural channel evolution. Detailed actions will be provided in the BEI.

3.6.1.2

Proposed Actions

The implementation of 9.2 acres of Riparian/Wetland Rehabilitation will be accomplished through: ·

Passive revegetation management on hydrologic floodplain and toe of slope to mid-bank.

·

Option for active management to manage species and structural diversity (i.e., small clearing and plantings)

·

Active planting and seeding on upper banks

·

Potential for small-scale grading to pull back banks in select locations

·

Invasive species control primarily focused on vegetation management.

·

Aggressive maintenance and monitoring schedule

3.6.1.3

Benefits

The implementation of 9.2 acres of Riparian/Wetland Rehabilitation will: ·

Provide a restored stream corridor as the cornerstone of the proposed project

·

Stabilize or modify streambanks

·

Increase vegetation diversity within the topographic banks of Park Creek

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Path: Z:\General\KCM\ESP\Marketing\Bus_Dev\MitBanking\Colorado\Park Creek Station\3 Tech Studies\Geospatial\DataFiles\ArcDocs\MitigationBankProspectus\PC_3-1PhotoKey.mxd ajreither 8/29/2017 COPYRIGHT © 2017 BURNS & McDONNELL ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC. Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community

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Scale in Feet Photograph Location and Direction Property Boundary Park Creek System Contributing Area NHD Flowline Current Drainage Pattern Diversion Structure

Fence Local Street Delineated Wetland Wetland Complex Riparian Woodland Hayfield/Grassland Onsite Ditch Irrigated Land

Source: Esri; USGS-National Hydrography Dataset (NHD); and Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc.

Figure 3-1 Baseline Conditions Map Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank Larimer County, Colorado Issued: 8/29/2017

Path: Z:\General\KCM\ESP\Marketing\Bus_Dev\MitBanking\Colorado\Park Creek Station\3 Tech Studies\Geospatial\DataFiles\ArcDocs\MitigationBankProspectus\PC_3-2Restoration.mxd ajreither 8/29/2017 COPYRIGHT © 2017 BURNS & McDONNELL ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC. Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community

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Mitigation Strategies Riparian/Wetland Rehabilitation (9.2 ac)

Wetland Rehabilitation (28.7 ac)

Riparian Woodland Restoration (34.3 ac)

Stream Buffer (19.4 ac)

Riparian Woodland Enhancement (5.4 ac)

Upland Buffer Tier I (182.9 ac)

Riparian Woodland Establishment(13.0 ac)

Upland Buffer Tier II (92.4 ac)

Seasonal Wetland Establishment (19.5 ac)

Upland Buffer Tier III (48.9 ac)

Property Boundary Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank Canal (2.0 ac) Excluded from Wetland Mitigation Bank (122.5 ac)

NORTH

Wetland Buffer (51.2 ac)

Unnamed Tributary Onsite Ditch Diversion Structure Access Road Local Street

Source: Esri; USGS-National Hydrography Dataset (NHD); and Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc.

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400

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Figure 3-2 Restoration Concept Map Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank Larimer County, Colorado Issued: 8/29/2017

·

Provide reference quality habitat for riparian plant and animal species

·

Employ passive and active restoration methods on a site that lacks constituent elements deemed critical for several guilds of nesting birds should lead to an increase in bird species richness, evenness, and a significant shift toward a bird community composition closer to what would be expected in a high quality, functioning riparian wetland ecosystem.

·

Indirectly affect stream function and water quality through shading, nutrient exchange, etc.

·

Provide corridor function for dispersal and travel of native species

3.6.2

Riparian Woodland Restoration

The Riparian Woodland Restoration comprises the area adjacent to the entire Riparian/Wetland Rehabilitation discussed in Section 3.6.1 and several of the mitigation strategies discussed in other sections below. The amount proposed is approximately 34.3 acres. The Riparian Woodland Restoration extends on both sides of Park Creek in the north reach to approximately 50 meters, with exceptions to expand slightly in the northeast and to avoid the slope wetland complex in northwestern and riparian woodland areas on the east topographic floodplain (see Section 3.6.3). The corridor is narrower with less boundary variation in the southern reach of Park Creek.

3.6.2.1

Current Condition

The photographic documentation of the current condition of the Riparian Woodland Restoration area is in the Appendix, Photopoints 15 to 19. The site is heavily grazed in the north and south reaches in summer and, as a result, there is limited or no vegetative structure and large patches of bare ground. The stream is unshaded for most of its length.

3.6.2.2

Proposed Actions

A subset of areas will be identified for passive restoration in this zone, but the Bank Sponsor believes the Riparian Woodland Restoration will need extensive use of active measures to successfully complete restoration. Heavy livestock grazing reduces vegetation height profiles and therefore supports fewer birds that feed and nest in shrubs (Verner, 1984). Consequently, one of the first actions in all riparian woodland mitigation strategies is to restore low understory vegetation to provide better nest cover for groundnesting species and mammals. The implementation of 34.3 acres of Riparian Woodland Restoration will be accomplished through:

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·

Light grading to form natural micro-topographic variation, which will establish the appropriate planting conditions

·

Installation of large vegetation structure with a combination of pole cuttings, native winnows, or large box plantings

·

Planting and seeding with a compositionally and structural diverse native riparian plant palette to facilitate the development of diverse patches of wetland vegetation contributing to increased habitat interspersion functions

·

Control of exotic species before or after installation of plant material will be treated and/or removed.

Riparian areas often include a mosaic of vegetation types, with wetlands at stream edges and upland and transitional vegetation communities interspersed with wetland and riparian vegetation. While the Riparian Woodland Restoration area is approximately 50 meters wide in the northern reach, a uniform planting approach is not anticipated, especially given the area's ecological value and proximity to the Riparian/Wetland Rehabilitation zone. Spatial heterogeneity and diverse conditions relating to composition, cover, density/spacing, physiognomy, and distribution of plant sub-associations will be maximized in both longitudinal and cross-section dimensions by considering and taking advantage of existing patches and gradients of soil conditions and current vegetation where present. The implementation of limited areas of passive revegetation and large areas of predominately active measures including grading and preparation and planting in different densities and compositions will be documented in the grading plan submitted with the BEI. The grading plan will be based on a careful reading of the landscape, with the goal of restoring variable conditions and improving horizontal and vertical structure for riparian species that may be sensitive to bush spacing or other structural attributes. The narrower southern corridor is expected to be spatially diverse, primarily in longitudinal profile, due to its narrowness. Amendments may be used based on the results of soil testing and analysis. Detailed actions will be provided in the BEI.

3.6.2.3

Benefits

The implementation of 34.3 acres of Riparian Woodland Restoration will: ·

Rely on a detailed and spatially explicit planting and grading plan

·

Enhance and complement the corridor functions of the Park Creek System

·

Stabilize banks and soil, reducing the extent of bare soil adjacent to the Park Creek System

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·

Establish space and source material to accommodate channel evolution and other long-term processes

·

Increase cover, refugia, and forage for wildlife dependent on the Park Creek System

·

Provide an ongoing shrub and tree seed source for adjacent Riparian/Wetland Rehabilitation

·

Connect the Wetland/Riparian Rehabilitation area with the Wetland Rehabilitation areas (described below) on the west and the east through a continuous vegetated corridor up to ¾ mile wide

·

Extend the existing riparian woodland on the east and west banks of Park Creek

3.6.3

Riparian Woodland Enhancement

Riparian Woodland Enhancement comprises the riparian woodland areas outside the Park Creek system greater than 0.10 acre. This criterion results in two large areas: one in the southwest corner and the other on the east bank of Park Creek in the northern reach (Figure 3-2). The amount proposed is approximately 5.4 acres.

3.6.3.1

Current Condition

The photographic documentation of the current condition of the Riparian/Wetland Enhancement areas is in the Appendix, Photopoint 16. Reference standard riparian woodlands on the Front Range typically have mature cottonwood stands with shrub understories and are some of the richest wildlife habitats in Colorado. These riparian habitats are generally dominated by plains cottonwood (Populous deltoides) as well as alder (Alnus tenuifolia), birch (Betula occidentalis), dogwood (Cornus sericea), and willows (Salix spp.). Invasive species, such as tamarisk (Tamarix spp.), Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia), and less desirable grasses and forbs, may invade riparian habitats throughout eastern Colorado. Riparian woodlands are present on either side of Park Creek (Figure 2-4). The area is dominated by legacy willows and cottonwoods, but has little to no shrub cover in the understory. There appears to be little to no regeneration of natives in understory due to browsing and trampling effects. While this area includes a mature stand of cottonwoods and willows, it is degraded by a lack of understory shrubs, a lack of native understory species in general, limited tree recruitment, and a high proportion of non-tree invasive species. Normally this habitat type can support typical species such as the downy woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens), screech-owls (Megascops spp.), black-capped chickadee

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(Poecile atricapillus), yellow warbler (Dendroica petechial), song sparrow (Melospiza melodia), and Bullock's oriole (Icterus bullockii). To date, few of these species have been observed onsite.

3.6.3.2

Proposed Actions

The implementation of 5.4 acres of Riparian Woodland Enhancement will be accomplished through: ·

Permanent or temporary removal of livestock

·

Invasive removal/control

·

Understory management including protecting saplings from native browsers until established

·

Planting and seeding as needed to fill in cover and facilitate the eradication and control of exotic species.

·

Volunteer recruitment, which is expected to provide the necessary cover after exotics are removed and controlled.

No grading is proposed in the enhancement areas. If natural recruitment does not produce the necessary increase in native cover, then planting and seeding will occur as needed to meet performance standards.

3.6.3.3

Benefits

The implementation of 5.4 acres of Riparian Woodland Enhancement will: ·

Restore important structure to jumpstart restoration processes

·

Increase abundance and distribution of higher quality graminoids and forbs

·

Allow shrub cover to be established quickly

·

Provides potential source of tree and shrub seed for natural recruitment in adjacent areas.

·

Connect and buffer Park Creek and seasonal wetlands to the east

3.6.4

Riparian Woodland Establishment

The Riparian Woodland Establishment consists of the non-inundated "fingers" between the Seasonal Wetland Establishment area (see Section 3.6.5) and other mitigation strategies. The amount proposed is approximately 13.0 acres.

3.6.4.1

Current Condition

The photographic documentation of the current condition of the Riparian/Wetland Establishment areas is in the Appendix, Photopoints 19 to 22.

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The potentially historic floodplain wetlands are currently being hayed by the lessee. The hayfield field is vegetated with a mix of native and non-native forb and grass species. Representative forb species observed included pigweed, knapweed, Canada thistle, houndstongue, American licorice, curly dock, and mullein. Representative grass species included smooth brome, cheatgrass, saltgrass, foxtail barley, Great Basin lyme grass, western wheatgrass, bluebunch wheatgrass, and intermediate wheatgrass.

3.6.4.2

Proposed Actions

The implementation of 13.0 acres of Riparian Woodland Establishment will be accomplished through: ·

Active grading and revegetation management

·

Light grading to form natural micro-topographic variation, which will establish the appropriate planting conditions

·

Installation of large vegetation structure with a combination of pole cuttings, native winnows, or large box plantings

·

Planting and seeding with a compositionally and structurally diverse native riparian plant palette to facilitate the development of diverse patches of wetland vegetation contributing to increased habitat interspersion functions

·

Control of exotic species before and after installation of plant material

·

Aggressive maintenance and monitoring schedule

3.6.4.3

Benefits

The implementation of 13.0 acres of Riparian Woodland Establishment will: ·

Increase native cover, refugia, and forage for wildlife dependent on the restored habitats

·

Provide ongoing shrub and tree seed source for adjacent restored habitats

·

Buffer and connect the Seasonal Wetland Establishment and Wetland Rehabilitation areas

·

Complement adjacent diverse complex of mitigation strategies

·

Contribute to ecotonal landscape functions

3.6.5

Seasonal Wetland Establishment

The Seasonal Wetland Establishment in Figure 3-2 is created from the overlap of the hayfield and irrigated land areas (Figure 3-1). The Bank Sponsor proposes to apply sufficient State water rights from the North Poudre Irrigation Company to establish seasonal wetlands and connect them hydraulically to streams onsite. The Seasonal Wetland Establishment redirects diverted water back to its original stream and wetland hydrology function. Diverted water will supplement natural precipitation and groundwater

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sources to establish a diverse seasonal wetland complex designed and managed for natural structure and function and that is hydraulically connected to Park Creek or its tributary. The amount proposed is approximately 19.5 acres.

3.6.5.1

Current Condition

Tracts of land used as hayfields are very common in the northern portion of Colorado. The potentially historic floodplain wetlands are currently being hayed by the lessee. The photographic documentation of the current condition of the Seasonal Wetland Establishment area is in the Appendix, Photopoints 19 to 26. The hayfield is vegetated with a mix of native and non-native forb and grass species. Representative forb species observed included pigweed, knapweed, Canada thistle, houndstongue, American licorice, curly dock, and mullein. Representative grass species included smooth brome, cheatgrass, saltgrass, foxtail barley, Great Basin lyme grass, western wheatgrass, bluebunch wheatgrass, and intermediate wheatgrass. During one of the field visits, the lessee informed Burns & McDonnell that a rattlesnake den is located within the hayfield. The hayfield is contained with the Irrigated Land Polygon (Figure 3-1)

3.6.5.2

Proposed Actions

The ability to have self-sustaining restoration systems typically diminishes the more highly modified a landscape becomes. A recognition of this principle is partially what drives long-term management planning. When some measure of natural resource management is required, it provides restoration opportunities. Our goal is to develop a conceptual seasonal wetland establishment design that uses the available water infrastructure to revert diverted water back to its original function of growing wetlands and maintaining flow regimes. The Bank Sponsor will be utilizing reverted water (i.e., water originally diverted out of a functioning stream system into a canal system that is returned to a restored ecological system). Functionally, the Bank will use the existing Statewide water infrastructure and legal ownership system to revert this water and establish a seasonal wetland complex similar to what may have been intact prior to statehood. While we support in-stream easements and maintenance of flow regimes for natural resource sustainability, it is the Bank Sponsor's understanding that the Corps has been hesitant to revert diverted water for wetland restoration purposes based mainly on the results of a banking project permitted and established in the late 1990's. The Bank Sponsor respectfully suggests that past projects may not represent the final verdict on reverting diverted water for wetland restoration and compensatory

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mitigation purposes in Colorado. Especially for a small but important component of a larger restoration effort, and given that the design connects to jurisdictional features (Figure 3-2). Restoration practice and regulatory standards have evolved since 1999 and the Bank Sponsor believes the proposed Park Creek Station is consistent with the highest restoration and compensatory mitigation standards, and therefore the Seasonal Wetland Establishment should be considered in its proper context as a small but important component of a larger restoration effort. The Bank Sponsor believes the establishment has its own restoration and mitigation value consistent with the overall restoration vision for Park Creek Station and the goals of the CWA. The Bank Sponsor proposes that it is ecologically desirable to restore the original function of the diverted water and harness its inherent ecological potential to establish a seasonal wetland complex on its way to Park Creek and its tributary (Figure 3-2). The Bank Sponsor respectfully suggests that not doing so may represent a potentially significant opportunity cost for the wetlands and wetland dependent wildlife in this region of the state. The North Poudre Irrigation Canal carries water from the Cache la Poudre River past the western portion of the site north via the Munroe Gravity Ditch (shown on Figure 2-1 as The North Poudre Supply Canal), where it crosses over Park Creek one mile north of the site at Weaver Ranch (Figure 3-1). The natural and augmented flow of Park Creek continues south through Weaver Ranch into the site. The State Land Board has senior water rights through shares with North Poudre Irrigation Company (NPIC). Approximately 5 shares are available for mitigation/restoration purposes with approximately 5acre feet per share reliably available in terms of priority each year. Diverted water can be delivered through calls May/June through September/October. Water can be delivered at Main A through a simple gate and earthen channel to the Seasonal Wetland Establishment Area where it can successfully establish wetlands using diverted water to augment natural sources (Figure 3-1). Reference sites and quantitative methods are being used to validate the approach. The current reference for the hydrology is the wet meadow to the east. Wet meadows are saturated near the surface in early summer but rarely have standing water and are typically dry by the end of the growing season (Culver and Lemly, 2013). Wet meadows provide habitat for various bird species including waterfowl, cranes, and songbirds. Natural wet meadows are dominated by native sedges and grasses, while those influenced by irrigation may be dominated by nonnative pasture grasses (CPW, 2015b). The Bank Sponsor will grade and amend soils to create conditions for a diverse wetland plant community. The design details of the Seasonal Wetland Establishment will be based on a natural hydrogeomorphic perspective. The wetland complexes would not be big basins or have areas over a 1/10 acre inundated to

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greater than a couple of inches. These small depressional areas would be installed or be a natural outcome of wildlife use and other factors. Soil saturation, not inundation, would be the predominant condition. Grading would be along topographic contours to keep water saturated to the surface with long residence times as it moves to a point of connection with regulated features. The grading plan will control hydrology with geomorphology to create natural contours and features. As a proof of concept, the Bank Sponsor retained cbec eco-engineering (https://www.cbecoeng.com) to develop a preliminary water budget for water years 2000-2016 to compare different design scenarios and wetland performance. Daily precipitation and evapotranspiration data from nearby weather stations were analyzed and tabulated as inputs and outputs. NRCS soils data were also incorporated to calculate existing infiltration rates. The native sandy-loamy soils in the project area have infiltration rates too high to maintain soil moisture necessary for wetland plants. Native soil amended with clay via tilling and compaction, to create a 6-inch clay amended layer per NRCS guidance, is expected to achieve a specific discharge of 0.25 inches per day. The soil treatments were assumed to have a 12-inch uncompacted soil layer backfilled above the treated layer to serve as the soil medium for the wetland plants. Two target thresholds for soil moisture were considered in the water budget analysis: ·

Saturation: the 12-inch backfilled layer moisture content is completely saturated (i.e., assumed porosity of 45.3% for the native soil) for at least 14 consecutive days in 50% of years.

·

Field Capacity: the 12-inch backfilled moisture content is no lower than field capacity (i.e., assumed field capacity of 20.7% for the native soil) for at least 14 consecutive days in 50% of years.

In addition to natural direct precipitation, it was assumed that up to 25 acre-feet of water, at a discharge rate of 1 or 2 cfs, could be reverted to the site between May and June to augment the natural inputs to established wetlands and allow for the required soil moisture for rooting and survival of wetland plants. The variables used in the synthetic water budget considered for the different design scenarios were: ·

total wetland size

·

soil treatment (specific discharge)

·

supplemental flow discharge

·

supplemental flow duration

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·

supplemental flow dates (one or two events)

A total of 15 water budget simulations were run with a variety of different design assumptions and found that 15 to 20 acres of wetlands could be established with bentonite amended soil and 25 ac-ft at 1 cfs delivered in May. It also appears that based on site topography and the need for balancing cut/fill onsite, site grading will need to be limited to 15 to 20 acres of established wetlands. Based on a water delivery of 25 ac-ft, 15 acres of wetlands can be established to meet saturation in all water years (WYs), or 20 acres of wetlands can be established to meet saturation criteria in 9 out of 17 WYs (> 50% of WYs) or field capacity in all WYs. The current system can accommodate a delivery of 1 cfs for an extended period (up to 3 weeks, 24 hours/day). The implementation of 19.5 acres of Seasonal Wetland Establishment will be accomplished through minor grading with soil amendments and a managed hydrology that mimics natural hydrology. Our delivery system involves one gate and two deliveries per season. This simplicity results in operational security and reliability. Details of maintenance allocations and protocols will be included in the BEI.

3.6.5.3

Benefits

The implementation of 19.5 acres of Seasonal Wetland Establishment will: ·

Revert water diverted from natural systems back to the establishment of wetlands managed for natural hydrogeomorphic and physiognomic characteristics

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Use reverted water to provide hydrologic connectivity to Park Creek and adjacent habitats

·

Incorporate topographic complexity to create variable hydrologic conditions

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Establish large areas for diverse wetland plant community establishment

·

Become a functional "plant nursery" to jumpstart restoration process in other areas

·

Provide the link to connect and further buffer existing and restored wetland systems across the valley floor

3.6.6

Wetland Rehabilitation

Wetland Rehabilitation comprises all substantially degraded jurisdictional wetlands outside of the Park Creek System including the wet meadow on the east and the slope wetland and alkali playa complexes in the west. The amount proposed is approximately 28.7 acres.

3.6.6.1

Current Condition

The photographic documentation of the current condition of the Wetland Rehabilitation area is in the Appendix, Photopoints 27 to 32.

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Groundwater has created additional slope wetland acres along the base of buttes or significant breaks in slope on the west and east of Park Creek in the Northern Reach. Vegetation within the existing wet meadows and slope wetland complex has been highly altered by agricultural management and the areas have up to 44% nonnative species. Some areas of native vegetation persist, however, including species of sedges (Carex spp.), tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespetosa), and showy milkweed (Aesclepias speciosa). The jurisdictional portion of the alkali playa are included in this mitigation strategy. Overgrazing of playas and their watersheds by livestock can be detrimental to biodiversity in playa ecosystems (Haukos and Smith 1994). In grassland situations, livestock often congregate in playas because of early growth of plants, increased plant production compared to surrounding areas, and favorable microclimate during harsh weather. Under these situations, playa vegetation is greatly reduced through consumption and trampling. This has been a common occurrence that negatively influences the current condition of the Alkali Playa Complex habitat onsite. Guthery et al. (1982) found that grazing in playa basins reduced plant diversity and increased undesirable plant species and recommended elimination of grazing in playas in most circumstances. Historically, plants in playas were grazed seasonally by many wildlife species, including pronghorn (Antilocapra americana Ord), elk (Cervus elaphus Linnaeus), and bison (Bison bison Hamilton-Smith). Any grazing by wildlife today is generally by small mammals, although pronghorn and deer (Odocoileus spp.) have been observed onsite.

3.6.6.2

Proposed Actions

The implementation of 28.7 acres of Wetland Rehabilitation will be accomplished through: ·

Permanent or temporary removal of livestock

·

Invasive removal/control

·

Vegetation management including protecting desirable recruits until established

·

Planting and seeding to meet performance standards for diversity and function

·

Minor grading and recontouring as needed

3.6.6.3

Benefits

The implementation of 28.7 acres of Wetland Rehabilitation will: ·

Remove major stressors from jurisdictional wetland onsite

·

Restore functionality of jurisdictional wetlands onsite

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3.6.7

Wetland Buffer

Wetland Buffer includes the remaining non-jurisdictional areas of the slope wetland, wet meadow, and alkali playa complexes. These areas are intricately linked to the function of existing jurisdictional wetlands onsite. The amount proposed is approximately 51.2 acres.

3.6.7.1

Current Condition

The photographic documentation of the current condition of the Riparian/Wetland Rehabilitation is in the Appendix, Photopoints 27 to 30. The Wetland Buffers comprise the remaining wetland complexes onsite and, as such, are intricately linked to the delineated wetlands. It should be noted that the drainage pathways in the slope wetland complex are currently altered form the NHD data (Figure 3-2). Detailed floristic assessments, soil analyses, and detailed topographic survey information will further inform restoration actions in all Wetland Buffer areas. See Wetland Rehabilitation section for current conditions.

3.6.7.2

Proposed Actions

The implementation of 51.2 acres of Wetland Buffer will be accomplished through: ·

Permanent or temporary removal of livestock

·

Invasive removal/control

·

Vegetation management including protecting desirable recruits until established

·

Planting and seeding to meet performance standards for diversity and function

·

Minor grading and recontouring as needed

3.6.7.3

Benefits

The implementation of 51.2 acres of Wetland Buffer will: ·

Remove major stressors adjacent to jurisdictional wetland onsite

·

Restore functionality to non-jurisdictional areas that immediately buffer jurisdictional wetlands

3.6.8

Stream Buffer

The Stream Buffer area was delineated within approximately 25m on both sides of the unnamed tributary in the southeast where it forms a bed and bank at the terminus of the wet meadow and runs across the property line before reaching Park Creek (Figure 3-2). The amount proposed is approximately 19.4 acres.

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3.6.8.1

Current Condition

The photographic documentation of the current condition of the Stream Buffer is in the Appendix, Photopoints 33 and 34. The mixed grasslands onsite including those adjacent to the stream channel are generally degraded and lack the diversity and extent of species that would have historically been present. The stream buffer restores and manages a more robust riparian growth of the mixed grassland adjoining the length of the unnamed tributary in the southeast quarter of the bank (Figure 3-2). The buffer protects the groundwater areas of potential "in-stream" wetlands and minor improvements to the condition farther downstream may be implemented).

3.6.8.2

Proposed Actions

The implementation of 19.4 acres of Stream Buffer will be accomplished through: ·

Permanent or temporary removal of livestock

·

Invasive removal/control

·

Vegetation management including protecting desirable recruits until established

·

Planting and seeding to meet performance standards for diversity and function

·

Minor grading and recontouring as needed

3.6.8.3

Benefits

The implementation of 19.4 acres of Stream Buffer will: ·

Remove major stressors adjacent to jurisdictional wetland onsite

·

Restore functionality to non-jurisdictional areas that immediately buffer jurisdictional wetlands

3.6.9

Upland Buffer

Part of the process of stemming the degradation of Park Creek and its associated wetland and riparian systems should include improving upland conditions to reduce the erosive power of runoff onsite among other benefits. In addition, improvements to the condition of upland vegetation directly adds to the value of the proposed wetland and riparian mitigation strategies and will be required for full recovery of the landscape diversity onsite. For instance, the bird communities of riparian and wetland areas and adjoining uplands are not independent (Knopf and Samson, 1987). As cited by Knopf and Samson, many species of birds need riparian vegetation to meet many life history requirements but forage in surrounding uplands (Pleasants

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1979). In terms of riparian birds using upland sites to breed, Knopf cites Szaro and Jakle (1985) who concluded that their documented pattern of riparian birds disproportionately contributing to the upland breeding bird avifauna extended 0.6-1.0 km into the uplands. Other examples of upland and non-jurisdictional habitat by wetland and riparian dependent includes the Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) use of upland habitats 100m beyond the 100year floodplain (USFWS, 2003). While we are not currently proposing a species overlay, the restoration of a well-developed plains riparian vegetation with adjacent, restored grassland and buffer communities, and a nearby water source could result in habitat that may be suitable for the species. FACWet currently recognizes a 250m Contributing Area around the wetland or riparian assessment area as the distance to measure buffer attributes. Therefore, to maximize ecological gains and overwhelmingly positive species and water quality interactions across the full landscape, we believe upland (and other) buffers are a well-established and important design element to include in high-quality wetland mitigation designs (McDonald et al., 2016). However, the Bank Sponsor recognizes that not all upland buffers are equal in terms of ecological function and value to jurisdictional and riparian features. Therefore, we propose to tailor long term management planning for these areas based on the following tiered system: ·

Tier I- Defined as (1) any areas that buffers multiple wetlands defined as buffering more than one jurisdictional feature within either 250M of Park Creek and/or 100M from jurisdictional wetlands or streams unless there is a major disruption to the buffer width (see FACWet list); (2) Tier 1 areas are more intensive monitoring and management with corresponding responsibilities/requirements and restrictions in Tier I areas.

·

Tier II- Remaining upland areas greater than 1/10th acre within 250M of Park Creek or 100M from jurisdictional wetlands or streams unless there is a major disruption to the buffer width (see FACWet list) and any rare or ecologically important habitats, features, or patches (barrens, east intermittent/ephemeral drainages); current habitat for listed or rare species; small patches that provide spatially important buffers to any of the above; and

·

Tier III- Remaining upland areas not otherwise defined above.

The amount proposed of Upland Buffers is 324.2 acres (Figure 3-2).

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3.6.9.1

Current Condition

Upland buffers occur in three main habitat types: mixed grassland, upland shrubland, and Niobrara barrens. The Niobrara barrens have unique restoration and management needs that are currently being studied. The uplands surrounding Park Creek are primarily composed of heavily grazed shortgrass prairie and shrublands. These two habitats are heavily grazed and have a high percentage of non-native species, 47% and 44%, respectively. Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus spp.) dominates the northern portion of the parcel. Kochia is dominating in the southern and eastern half of the parcel. Kochia and cheatgrass control are priority management concerns for the bank site. There also exists an opportunity for restoration of mountain mahogany-New Mexico feathergrass (Cercocarpus montanus/ Stipa neomexicana) plant association.

3.6.9.2

Proposed Actions

The unique opportunities are under investigation and planning. Volunteer recruitment is expected to provide the necessary cover after exotics are removed and controlled. If natural recruitment does not produce the necessary increase in native cover, then planting and seeding will occur as needed to meet performance standards. Basic actions to be completed include: ·

Remove or manage livestock

·

Invasive control

·

Shrub management including protecting desirable shrub recruits for native browsers until established

·

Planting or seeding as needed to fill in cover and facilitate the eradication and control of exotic species.

·

Installation of wildlife friendly fencing as needed on perimeters

3.6.9.3

Benefits

The implementation of 324.2 acres of Upland Buffers will: ·

Restore important pollinator habitat to facilitate restoration process in other areas

·

Conserve and restore essential habitat for many Colorado bird and other wildlife species.

·

Establish shrub cover quickly in appropriate areas

·

Provide a source of shrub and grass seed for natural recruitment in adjacent areas.

·

Connect and buffer Park Creek and wetland habitats

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·

3.7

Contribute to water quality and habitat functions beneficial to adjacent wetland and riparian areas

Mitigation Roles and Responsibilities

The Bank Sponsor will be ultimately responsible for the installation, maintenance, and monitoring of the proposed Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank. The Bank Sponsor will be responsible for the implementation and success of the wetland mitigation and for funding all aspects of the mitigation, including design, implementation, and any necessary remedial measures. The Bank Sponsor's project manager will be responsible for coordinating project progress and overseeing the installation, maintenance, and monitoring of the mitigation work as described below. However, the project will require specialized restoration services to complete. These may be contracted internally or externally by the Bank Sponsor.

3.7.1

Restoration Ecologist

The Bank Sponsor will assign a qualified restoration ecologist with experience successfully managing the installation, maintenance, and monitoring of wetland mitigation projects. The restoration ecologist will supervise all phases of compensatory mitigation implementation, including the protection of adjacent biological resources; exotics removal; erosion control; soil preparation; seeding; planting; and maintenance, monitoring, and reporting as applicable. The restoration ecologist will attend all relevant implementation meetings. The restoration ecologist must approve any seed substitutions before installation/application. Overall supervision of maintenance will be the responsibility of the restoration ecologist. The restoration ecologist will meet with the landscape maintenance contractor prior to the start of work to assist the contractor with their understanding of the maintenance provisions of the final plan, as well as make recommendations for current maintenance procedures. The restoration ecologist will provide maintenance workers or a landscape maintenance contractor with a written checklist of tasks to be performed after each monitoring visits. The restoration ecologist will document that the proper landscape maintenance procedures are followed as outlined in the final instrument. The restoration ecologist will be responsible for qualitative and quantitative monitoring and reporting. The restoration ecologist will use horticultural and botanical monitoring results to determine necessary actions as needed. The restoration ecologist will have the authority to redirect implementation and maintenance crews in keeping with the goals, objectives, and performance standards of the final mitigation and monitoring plan.

3.7.2

Installation Contractor

Bank Sponsor or its representative will use a qualified installation contractor with demonstrated experience successfully installing native habitat revegetation projects. The contractor will be responsible for implementing and initially maintaining the mitigation effort onsite. The contractor will have specific

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documented experience with the installation and maintenance of restoration projects representative of the habitats included in this plan. The qualified contractor will be able to demonstrate past work that has resulted in successful native plant seeding establishment. All work will be performed by a trained crew in accordance with the standards and practices related to the trade. The installation contractor will maintain an experienced full-time supervisor on the project site when planting is in progress. The responsibility of the installation contractor is finished when the restoration ecologist concurs at the end of the 120-day establishment period that this phase of work is completed per the specifications and requirements of the plan.

3.7.3

Maintenance Contractor

The maintenance contractor will provide routine maintenance of the mitigation areas during the 5- year monitoring period, as directed by the restoration ecologist. The maintenance contractor can be the same entity as the installation contractor. Primary maintenance activities include weed control, care of any cutting plants, erosion control, and trash removal. The maintenance contractor will be responsible for (1) maintaining the existing materials implemented during the planting/seed installation phase and (2) installing and maintaining erosion control materials in additional areas (identified by the contractor, restoration ecologist, or Bank Sponsor project manager) where the need for erosion control may develop during the 5-year maintenance program. Any problems identified in the mitigation areas will be addressed in a timely manner. The maintenance contractor will care for the native plants in the mitigation areas, including cuttings, seeded species, and native volunteers. Plant care will be sufficient to meet the success standards on schedule. If mitigation areas are not meeting native plant survival and percent cover, or any other performance standard, then the maintenance contractor will coordinate with Bank Sponsor or its representative to implement supplemental seeding.

3.8

Installation and Maintenance

The intent of the maintenance program is to ensure the success of the proposed wetland mitigation described in this Prospectus. Primary maintenance activities would include weed control, care of plants, oversight and repair (if necessary) of the irrigation system during the plant establishment (if used), erosion control, and trash removal. The maintenance contractor will provide routine maintenance of the mitigation area during the establishment period, and as needed throughout the 5-year monitoring period for the mitigation area, as directed by the restoration ecologist. The goal of this plan is to create functioning, self-sufficient habitats that fulfill specified performance standards during and after the monitoring period.

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3.8.1

Plants and Seed

It is anticipated that cuttings, seed mixes, container and other plants, and natural recruitment will be the prime source of native plant cover in the mitigation areas, although no planting or seeding is currently proposed in the enhancement areas. A plant palette and seed mix will be developed specifically for each mitigation strategy. More species can be added or substituted at the discretion of the restoration ecologist. All container plants, cuttings and seed materials should be locally propagated and collected. The restoration ecologist will inspect all container plants and reject plants that are dead, root bound, stunted, pest-infested, diseased, or unacceptable for other reasons. Pits for container-grown plants will generally be dug twice as deep and twice as wide as the container, and the planting soil must be thoroughly wetted before planting. Depending on the results of soil analyses, fertilizer amendments may be recommended for the container plant pits. Specific stem cutting procedures will be in the final plans and specifications submitted with the BEI; however, cuttings placed in or near the groundwater table should be sufficiently long enough to reach the water table. Larger pole cutting could be used individually or as winnows placed directly into the groundwater via trenching or auguring. Cuttings will be installed where there is an appropriate amount of soil moisture or a water table close to the ground surface. Maintenance of any plants is an important aspect of the overall program. The maintenance of plants includes maintaining weed-free planting basins until the plants are adequately established (e.g., over 4 feet high for shrubs), maintaining a proper mulch layer around the plants (when necessary), applying appropriate amounts of irrigation water if needed, and addressing disease or pest problems. Seed will be labeled with the species, purity, germination, percent live seed, and quantity of seed in pounds. Prior to application, the restoration ecologist will confirm the specified seed has been delivered to the respective sites. The mitigation areas will be maintained and monitored for 5 years to help natural recruitment and growth, establish any cuttings/container plants and seeded species, and to control exotics.

3.8.2

Irrigation

While not anticipated to be necessary, any temporary irrigation system will be tested by the maintenance contractor monthly throughout the first year. If used in any areas, irrigation would not be anticipated to be needed beyond year three. All necessary repairs and replacement of drip or micro-spray heads will be made in a timely manner. The irrigation schedule will provide adequate water to maximize the establishment of container plants and seeded species without creating conditions that promote nonnative species dependent upon moist soil conditions. The restoration ecologist will determine the need for

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changes in irrigation schedules in consultation with the maintenance contractor. An accurate record of these activities will be maintained during the maintenance and monitoring period.

3.8.3

Erosion Control

The maintenance contractor will control erosion within and immediately adjacent to the mitigation areas during the 5-year maintenance period. The restoration ecologist and maintenance contractor will determine the most effective and least damaging application of erosion control materials to address the identified problem. Appropriate erosion control materials include, but are not limited to, rice straw wattles, rolled erosion control products (e.g., jute fabric, coconut husk fabric, etc.), and/or supplemental container planting or seed application.

3.8.4

Invasive Species Control

Invasive plant species will be controlled within the mitigation site throughout the duration of the monitoring period. Control methods are used not only to eliminate individual plants but also to suppress the growth and reproduction of (or otherwise stress) targeted weed populations, especially deep-rooted, creeping perennials which cannot easily be reduced or thinned. Such suppression of weed populations helps to relieve desirable native species of the competitive pressures exerted by the weeds and promote the development of a healthy native plant community resistant to further invasions. Invasive species control may take the form of biological, mechanical, chemical or cultural controls. The goal of the weed control program is not specifically the elimination of undesirable species as much as the development and maintenance of a healthy, desirable community of native species. The use of a combination of techniques makes it possible to alter site availability for weeds and disturbances, control colonization events, and manipulate species performance to restore the existing plant community. At a minimum, the following weed removal methods should be included in the implementation specifications: ·

Weed removal will be performed mechanically, chemically, and biologically.

·

Prior to the initial planting, a series of weed control techniques will be used to provide plantings an advantage during the first year of growth. Pulled weeds will be transported offsite immediately to prevent onsite seed dispersal.

·

Weed control will continue during planting and seeding and during the post implementation and monitoring periods within the mitigation area, as necessary.

·

Weed seedlings and sprouts within the mitigation area will be continually removed before they attain 12 inches in height or before they produce seed, whichever is first.

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·

The restoration ecologist will monitor weed control and exotic species removal throughout the year.

·

Weed species are divided between aggressive, invasive exotics that can outcompete desirable native species if not controlled, and more benign weed species, which tend to fade away as native species become established. Invasive exotics will be controlled wherever they occur within the mitigation areas. The restoration ecologist will coordinate with the maintenance contractor to identify weed species that must be controlled and to take advantage of opportunities for eradication.

3.9

Performance Standards and Monitoring Compliance

Detailed performance standards will be provided in the BEI and only a brief overview of our intended approach to monitoring and assessment of the proposed restoration program is presented in this section. A robust monitoring program will have physical and biological indicators of performance. The Bank Sponsor views the project as an ecosystem recovery project and will be working with local and regional experts to develop a monitoring program to document the recovery of floral, faunal, and physical changes to the site as result of the restoration actions. Only monitoring that supports the assessment of compliance with required performance standards will be reported in the annual reports. Additional monitoring or research may be conducted and made available at the discretion of the Bank Sponsor. Mitigation monitoring of specific taxa would follow routine or protocol methods for: ·

Amphibians: visual observation and capture using aquatic dip nets

·

Reptiles: visual observation

·

Mammals: tracking studies, live traps, pitfall traps, and mist nets

·

Birds: visual observation or identification by song or call

·

Insects: aerial net and visual observation

·

Plants: visual observation

·

Plant communities: visual observation

The Bank Sponsor believes general riparian bird community development with identification of specific guilds or "target" species will be one appropriate measure of biological performance. Specific monitoring of wildlife will be assessed and presented in the BEI. We outline a general program here that would be used to establish a more detailed monitoring protocol to assess vegetative cover and horticultural standards. Final performance standards will state that the site

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have a dominance of native vegetation and low exotic species cover and a rigorous method of assessing compliance. We expect all final cover and composition standards being attained through container plantings, cuttings, seeding, invasive species management and natural recruitment. Additional hydrologic, faunal, and other additional monitoring information will be provided in the detailed restoration plan and sheets provided in the BEI along with method and location-specific performance standards.

3.9.1

Qualitative Monitoring

Qualitative surveys will occur in March, June, September, and December of the monitoring year. Qualitative surveys comprise a general site walkover and written characterization of the mitigation planting. The restoration ecologist will make general observations of the status of any mitigation plantings and the extent of natural recruitment of native and exotic species. The restoration ecologist will also record signs of wildlife use (e.g., nesting sites, roosting sites, animal burrows, tracks, scat, birds, and other animals detected) within the mitigation areas. During the qualitative surveys, the restoration ecologist will (1) visually estimate composition and overall cover, (2) document evidence of natural recruitment, and (3) estimate container plant and cutting mortality and survivorship. The restoration ecologist will identify potential soil erosion, flood damage, vandalism, weeds, and pest problems. Plant and irrigation (if installed) maintenance needs will be recorded on standard maintenance checklists and sent to the maintenance contractor and Bank Sponsor. The restoration ecologist must retain copies of all checklists and field notes to compile monitoring reports. Any problems identified by the restoration ecologist will be immediately brought to the attention of the maintenance contractor and Bank Sponsor, with corrective measures taken within 2 weeks of identifying the problem whenever possible, but always within the shortest reasonable timeframe given logistics and other constraints.

3.9.2

Quantitative Monitoring

Quantitative monitoring will occur in June and/or September of the monitoring year depending on the mitigation strategy. The restoration ecologist will determine the maximum number, size, and location of transects necessary to obtain a vegetation sample that provides good spatial coverage and unbiased samples of all mitigation areas and habitats; however, stratified random sampling is recommended. The restoration ecologist will establish the equivalent coverage of two 2-meter by 50-meter belt transects per acre within the mitigation site (number and position of permanent transects will be placed at the discretion of the restoration ecologist to ensure an unbiased sample). Each permanent transect must be identified on a map, staked in the field, and photographed to reestablish transects should the stakes be removed. During quantitative monitoring, the restoration ecologist will record percent cover, species composition, mortality, and number of natural recruits.

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The Bank Sponsor is exploring additional use of existing aerial and satellite imagery and/or projectspecific drone work to document pre- and post-restoration conditions using vegetation indicators (Booth et.al. 2012). Details regarding additional quantitative monitoring efforts will be presented in the BEI.

3.9.3

Photo Documentation

Each quantitative monitoring visit will include photo documentation of each transect. Photos will be taken from the same vantage point in the same direction. All photo documentation points and directions will be mapped and included in the monitoring reports.

3.9.4

Annual Monitoring Reports

The annual monitoring reports will be prepared in accordance with the Corps' Mitigation and Monitoring Requirements and all other permit requirements. The annual reports will include both qualitative and quantitative data, along with photos from established photo points. The annual monitoring reports will also include the following: ·

A list of names, titles, and companies of all persons who participated in monitoring activities and contributed to report preparation.

·

A copy of any relevant communications and/or subsequent letters of modification pertaining to the mitigation project attached as an appendix.

·

General observations, analysis of quantitative monitoring data (e.g., success, failure, remedial actions), assessment of vegetation growth in meeting the performance standard, comparisons of current vegetation growth to the previously documented monitoring period, and progress toward final acceptance.

·

Photographs.

·

Maps identifying monitoring areas, transects, quadrates, planting zones, and habitat types, as appropriate.

·

A final comprehensive report summarizing results over the 5-year monitoring period will be submitted to the agencies upon completion of the monitoring program.

A monitoring year would begin on January 1. Quarterly visits for qualitative monitoring would occur in March, June, September, and December of each monitoring year. Quantitative monitoring would occur in June and September of each monitoring year. Monitoring reports will be submitted annually to the IRT. Annual reports are proposed to be submitted to the agencies in February of the year following the monitoring year (e.g., the report for monitoring year 2019 would be submitted in February 2020).

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3.10

Long-term Management

Long-term management roles and responsibilities were covered in Section 1.1.3. Long-term financial assurances may be in the form of an endowment, an escrow account funded with a percentage of each credit transfer, or other appropriate long-term management funds as discussed in Section 1.1.5 and will be further defined in the BEI. The interest from the non-wasting endowment fund will be used by the longterm manager for anticipated maintenance and management costs. In this section, we briefly present our fundamental long-term management goals and a framework for organizing our draft management plan. We conclude with a summary of fundamental management outcomes after a brief statement on the potential role of grazing management.

3.10.1

Long-term Management Goals

The Bank Sponsor proposes the following overarching long-term management goals to maintain the ongoing wetland, riparian, and conservation values of the restored, enhanced, and established habitats will guide the planning effort for the BEI: ·

Maintain or improve conditions that meet the Broad Restoration Goals (Section 3.4).

·

Establish ecologically meaningful and logistically efficient Management Units

·

Maintain necessary infrastructure as needed to accomplish Management Objectives.

·

Implement routine maintenance, monitoring, and reporting of the mitigation habitats as described in a Long-Term Management Plan.

·

Maintain restored, enhanced, and established habitats to be as functionally close to reference standard as possible.

·

Maintain vegetation diversity and other prescribed ecological attributes within mitigation strategies or management units and the ecological conditions that favor the desired type of natural community within those stands.

·

As feasible, develop and implement safe prescribed fire applications for restoring and maintaining fire-adapted landscapes and natural communities.

·

Manage invasive species and undesirable native species using appropriate techniques to meet long-term management objectives.

·

Follow appropriate and current best management practices (BMP)s when conducting management activities.

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3.10.2

Management Framework

We propose to use a straight forward long-term management framework consisting of the following management elements: ·

Element A ­ Documentation

·

Element B - Habitat Management

·

Element C ­ Infrastructure and Facilities

·

Element D ­ Security, Safety and Public Access

·

Element E ­ Adaptive Management

·

Element F ­ Reporting and Administration

Management elements will be expanded to include specific management tasks with associated objectives, thresholds for action, timing, and performance measures.

3.10.3

Potential Role of Grazing Management

Grazing in wetland and riparian areas is expected to be drastically reduced or eliminated by fencing livestock out of wetland and riparian areas and this technique may be used in other mitigation areas to allow vegetation to recover. However, techniques such as flash grazing can reduce thatch and help establish appropriate conditions for native plant recruitment. Rotational grazing including strict protocols to control the intensity, duration, and timing will be considered to assist achieve long-term management goals. If the Bank Sponsor and the IRT agree based on a science-based assessment that a pre-determined grazing schedule is desirable or necessary for natural land management purposes in accordance with the stated goals above, then grazing intensities and stocking rates will be set to maintain appropriate forage and thatch levels along with protected habitats in accordance with any grazing plans prepared for the site. Forage levels will be assessed throughout the site to create a visual cross section. The forage assessment may be conducted through photographic comparison utilizing an industry accepted photo guide. The intent of the grazing plan will be to implement management strategies that maintain the native wetland and upland habitats and the target species that depend on them in as close to reference conditions as cost-effectively as possible, and continue to support management goals in perpetuity. Specific actions under consideration and review:

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·

Permanently excluding livestock from wetland and riparian areas and other areas deemed high risk and with otherwise poor recovery potential when there is no practical way to protect them while grazing adjacent uplands.

·

Maintaining the riparian and wetland areas within a separate pasture with separate management objectives and strategies.

·

Controlling the timing of grazing to: (a) keep livestock off streambanks when they are most vulnerable to damage; and (b) coincide with the physiological needs of target plant species.

·

Adding more rest to the grazing cycle to increase plant vigor, allow streambanks to heal, or encourage more desirable plant species composition.

·

Limiting grazing intensity to a level which will maintain desired species composition and vigor.

·

Changing from cattle to other livestock such as sheep or goats.

The State Land Board may continue leasing the site solely to maintain the natural processes that grazing provides for a grassland or other ecosystem management and to maintain the long-term health of the bank site. All leasing activities will be subject to the terms of the long-term management plan.

3.10.4

Long-term Management Outcomes

The details of interim and long-term management will be provided in the BEI. The following fundamental outcomes would be expected from our long-term management program: ·

Site access is maintained and secured.

·

Necessary infrastructure for management is maintained.

·

Management actions are completed on schedule and within budget.

·

Ongoing compliance with land protection and mitigation instrument requirements

·

Proper documentation is collected, organized, and made available.

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4.0

OVERALL BANK BENEFITS

The Park Creek Station site was selected and the effort was made to conduct preliminary investigations and develop a prospectus-level conceptual design for a wetland mitigation bank because the Bank Sponsor believes there is an excellent and unique potential to improve wetland, riparian, and stream functions on a site with significant natural, cultural and open space values. Located where Park Creek punches through the Park Creek Hogback, the site has excellent restoration potential of wetland, riparian, and stream resources of the type that are increasingly scarce along the northern Front Range, where most streams of this sort no longer have their natural flows or follow their natural stream course. The establishment of Park Creek Station would result in: ·

1.25 mile of restoration along Park Creek

·

57.5 acres of Wetland Restoration and Establishment

·

52.7 acres of Riparian Restoration and Establishment

·

253.5 acres of Priority Buffers

·

141 acres of Additional High-Quality Buffers

·

Whole site natural resource management program

·

Substantial functional uplift to the Park Creek System

·

Restoration and conservation of landscape-level wetland diversity including functional uplift of multiple hydrogeomorphic and vegetation community types

·

Excellent habitat interspersion functions and reference-standard buffer conditions

·

Contributions to lower temperature regime and higher water quality of Park Creek

·

Potential refugia site for sensitive and listed species

·

Increased habitat potential for state and federally listed species

·

Restoration and management of multiple levels of biological diversity

·

Regional ecological value

Our Bank Design and Management is expected to result in substantial improvements to the ecological function and conservation value of critical wetland, riparian, stream, and other high value natural resources. We believe the overall benefits of establishing Park Creek Station include ecological, regulatory, and economic benefits.

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4.1

Ecological Benefits

Impacts to wetlands and riparian have negative consequence for vegetation and the species that depend on these specific habitat characteristics or habitat features for all or some portion of their lifecycle. Conversely, restoration of these systems provides benefits to characteristic structure, processes, and species of wetland and riparian systems. The successful conservation of biological diversity requires taking advantage of opportunities to restore, enhance, establish, and conserve wetland and riparian habitats across all levels including genetic, species, community, and landscape diversity.

4.1.1

Current and Expected Post-Project FACWet Scores

Wetlands provide functions and values to society. One way to determine the ecological lift of a site is to quantify the current ecological functions of the site before restoration and then to measure those same ecological functions after site development. In Colorado, two methods are currently used to assess wetland and riparian areas. These are the Colorado Department of Transportation's Functional Assessment of Colorado Wetlands (FACWet) Method and the Ecological Integrity Assessment for Colorado Wetlands, Version 2.0. The Bank Sponsor will be using both methods as part of the baseline documentation and restoration plans included in the BEI. A preliminary general assessment of Park Creek before and after restoration was completed using FACWet. We projected scores based on conditions documented in the Appendix and the assumption that effective restoration would be implemented and maintained as generally described in Chapter 3. Results of these evaluations are included below. Important variables that provide a good restoration baseline and are often beyond the restoration ecologist's control scored functional (variables 4-6) or near reference standard (V1.1, V2.2, V2.3). Other scores typically in the control of the restoration ecologist to effect positive change scored low (e.g., 3.1 Buffer Condition). Final scores in the restorable attributes generally scored in the Functionally Impaired category in the current condition demonstrate that the aquatic resources in the study area have been subjected to dramatic, ubiquitous alteration. We assumed restoration and management would generally raise these restorable variables to score in the Highly Functioning or even Reference Standard categories. The potential for functional increase captured by a basic comparison of pre-restoration and post-restoration scores is substantial (Table 3-2).

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Table 4-1: FACWet Variable Scores for Current and Proposed Post-Project Conditions

Variable

Current Condition s

Category

0.80

B Highly Functioning

TBD

-

1.2 Migration Dispersal Barriers

PostProject Condition

Category

Rationale

0.90

B Highly Functioning

Onsite improvements related to wildlife movement raise score

TBD

-

Historical ecology studies in progress

0.80

B Highly Functioning

0.90

A Reference Standard

Installation of wildlife friendly fencing and other onsite improvements gives small boost to score

2. Contributing Area

0.60

D Functionally Impaired

0.95

A Reference Standard

Differences in Buffer Condition drive scoring

2.1 Buffer Condition Score

0.60

D Functionally Impaired

1.00

A Reference Standard

Mitigation actions to create reference standard buffer condition

2.2 Buffer Extent

0.90

A Reference Standard

0.90

A Reference Standard

Proposed actions do not change score

0.90

A Reference Standard

0.90

A Reference Standard

Proposed actions do not change score

2.4 Surrounding Land Use

0.60

D Function Impaired

0.90

B Highly Functioning

Proposed Management change drives scoring

3. Water Source

0.71

C Functioning

0.79

C Functioning

Proposed actions do not change score

4. Water Distribution

0.71

C Functioning

0.70

C Functioning

Proposed actions do not change score

5. Water Outflow

0.71

C Functioning

0.79

C Functioning

Proposed actions do not change score

6. Geomorphology

0.75

C Functioning

0.75

C Functioning

Proposed actions do not change score

7. Water and Soil Chemical Environment

0.60

D Function Impaired

0.85

B Highly Functioning

Proposed restoration actions and management change drives scoring

7.1 Nutrient Enrichment/

0.60

B

Restoration score limited by upstream conditions

1. Habitat Connectivity 1.1 Neighboring Wetland and Riparian Habitat Loss

2.3 Average Buffer Width

D

0.85

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Variable

Current Condition s

Category

PostProject Condition

Function Impaired

Eutrophication/ Oxygen

Category

Rationale

Highly Functioning

7.2 Sedimentation/T urbidity

0.69

D Function Impaired

0.95

A Reference Standard

Proposed restoration actions and management change drives scoring

7.3 Toxic contamination/p H

0.60

D Function Impaired

0.90

A Reference Standard

Proposed restoration actions and management change drives scoring

0.55

F NonFunctioning

0.95

A Reference Standard

Proposed restoration actions and management change drives scoring

0.65

D Function Impaired

0.89

B Highly Functioning

Proposed restoration actions and management change drives scoring

0.65

D Function Impaired

1.00

A Reference Standard

Proposed restoration actions and management change drives scoring

7.4 Temperature 7.5 Soil chemistry/ Redox potential 8. Vegetation Structure and Complexity

4.1.2

Contributions to Conservation

In addition to its wetland and riparian restoration potential, the site represents a critical component of the larger conservation landscape in the area. The proposed bank site is recognized by the CNHP for its very high biodiversity values. The site overlaps with the CNHP-designated Park Creek Hogback Potential Conservation Area (site ID 520), which is ranked B2: Very High Biodiversity Significance. This is CNHP's second highest priority level. According to CNHP, PCA 520 contains an excellent (A-ranked) and good (B-ranked) occurrence of the Bell's twinpod, a plant species which is globally imperiled (G2/S2). The Park Creek Hogback PCA is in the Network of Conservation Areas (NCA) site ID 456. The proximity of the Bell's twinpod range to the rapidly developing Front Range has threatened or degraded many occurrences. This species is restricted to certain shale or sandstone hogbacks along the foothills of the Front Range from Jefferson County north to this site. The extent, condition, and geographic position (the northernmost known extent of the species' range) of these occurrences indicate this site's biodiversity significance. The site supports a good (B-ranked) occurrence of the globally imperiled (G2G3) mountain mahoganyNew Mexico feathergrass (Cercocarpus montanus/Stipa neomexicana) plant association. The site also appears to have occurrences of Townsend's Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) and is utilized by a

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herd of Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) for a good portion of each year. Pronghorn are declining along the Northern Front Range and this is one of the southernmost occurrences of the species in the region. The creation of a mitigation bank on the site will ensure the continued success of the rare and tracked plant communities on the site while also increasing the aquatic functions provided by Park Creek, including but not limited to water quantity and quality maintenance, flood attenuation, sediment retention, food web support, and habitat support for threatened, endangered and imperiled species. The site also contains relict hydric soils (loamy aquepts, Kim loam, and Longmont clay) that very likely supported wetland and riparian ecosystems prior to agricultural use of the land. These soils have permeability low enough to retain standing water and remain saturated, and will be amenable to restoration techniques that will benefit wetland hydrology and vegetation. Park Creek Station makes an important regional contribution to all four levels of biological diversity by directly restoring and conserving wetland, riparian, and buffer habitats. Park Creek Station is expected to contribute to multiple levels of biological diversity across multiple scales. Contributions to diversity may include: ·

Genetic Diversity- the genetic variation within a population and among populations of a plant or animal species.

·

Species Diversity- the total number (richness) and abundance (evenness) of plant and animal species and subspecies in an area.

·

Community Diversity- the variety of plant communities within an area that represent the range of species relationships and inter-dependence.

·

Landscape Diversity- the type, condition, pattern, and connectedness of natural communities.

Human activities, whether it be habitat restoration, land management, agriculture, or infrastructure development, are closely linked to all levels of this hierarchy, but affect the landscape in different ways. Fragmentation of landscapes, loss of connections and migratory corridors, and loss of natural communities all result in a loss of biological diversity for a region. While Park Creek Station will not solve all these issues in isolation, it represents a significant contribution to the restoration and conservation of natural communities in the region. Park Creek Station would be expected to make contributions to improved conditions offsite too. For example, downstream areas will likely be benefactors if habitat and water quality improvements. The Iowa Darter, a State Species of Concern, was seined from Dry Creek by the Colorado Parks & Wildlife

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(CPW; formerly known as Colorado Division of Wildlife) in the summer of 2008 just below the site where Park Creek and Dry Creek meet. Since then, due to the rare quality of the streams and wetlands, both the Endangered Northern Red Bellied Dace and the Threatened Brassy Minnow have been reintroduced by the CPW in the wetland complex approximately ½ mile downstream from the site. All three of these fish are species of concern.

4.2

Regulatory Benefits

Park Creek Station would be the first wetland mitigation bank in the Cache La Poudre watershed and would provide an on-going mitigation resource for the watershed and region. Park Creek Station provides not only an opportunity to keep mitigation in the watershed and region, it would likely lead to wellknown regulatory efficiencies such as reduced permit review times and quicker permit decisions that have been documented on a regulatory program scale. Furthermore, we believe the proposal is consistent with the 2008 Mitigation Rule and Regional General Condition 23. Mitigation. Subsection (e) regarding use of riparian habitat for mitigation. In summary, regulatory benefits of Park Creek Station include: ·

Establishment of the first wetland mitigation bank in the Cache La Poudre watershed

·

Mitigation acres for impacts in the Cache La Poudre have gone outside the watershed due to limited compensatory mitigation options within watershed

·

Large infrastructure projects in region may require compensatory mitigation

·

Fort Collins, Greely, and other Northern Colorado cities and towns continue to grow and expand in population requiring additional housing and associated infrastructure projects and potential mitigation needs.

4.3

Economic Benefits

The South Platte basin is experiencing rapid population growth and development. Pressures on natural resources are being applied by population growth, transportation development, oil and gas development, renewable energy development, and new water developments. It is expected that almost one million people will move into the South Platte basin in the next ten years, placing tremendous pressures on the aquatic resources and habitat in the basin. The lower Cache la Poudre watershed within the South Platte basin will host around 13% of Colorado's burgeoning population by 2050 in and around the cities of Fort Collins and Greeley. In addition, there are

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plans to enlarge two reservoirs-the Halligan and Milton Seaman-and create the new Glade Reservoir within the watershed in the coming years. However, no wetland banks currently exist in the watershed, leaving mitigation for unavoidable impacts with few options. The proposed bank would be capable of offsetting impacts within the watershed in a large, sustainable riparian-wetland complex in an area with outstanding conservation value. Mitigation bank credits are a cost-effective and dependable way for permittees to offset their impacts. In purchasing mitigation credits from an approved bank, permittees sever their liability for the mitigation and the bank sponsor assumes the risk for ecological and other risks under the terms of the mitigation instrument. Purchasing mitigation bank credits as opposed to permittee-responsible mitigation has been documented to reduce permitting times saving time and money. The project is expected to make important economic contributions to local services and products. The Bank Sponsor anticipates contracting local expertise in biology, restoration ecology, native plant procurement, installation, maintenance, and sales and marketing. Colorado specific firms and individuals can send materials to the address for the Bank Sponsor contact in Section 1.1.1.

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5.0

BANK CREDITING AND CREDIT TRANSFERS

The following credit generation system is proposed. We placed mitigation strategies into functional restoration categories and assigned conversion ratios considering jurisdictional status, ecological value, and restoration effort. Park Creek Station is proposed to generate 148.6 wetland credits from 505 acres of restored and managed natural habitats (Table 5-1). Table 5-1: Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank Proposed Credit Table with Categorization and Conversion of Mitigation strategies Combined Acreage

Conversion Ratio

Mitigation Credits Generated

Percent Credit Total

Riparian/Wetland Rehabilitation, Wetland Rehabilitation, and Seasonal Wetland Establishment

57.5

1:1

57.5

39%

Riparian Restoration and Establishment

Riparian Woodland Restoration, Riparian Woodland Enhancement, and Riparian Woodland Establishment

52.7

2:1

26.3

18%

Priority Buffers

Wetland Buffer, Stream Buffer, and Tier 1 Buffer

253.5

5:1

50.7

34%

Additional High-Quality Buffers

Tier 2 and Tier 3 Buffers

141.3

10:1

14.1

9%

505.0

-

148.6

100%

Restoration Category

Mitigation strategies

Wetland Restoration and Establishment

Total

The Bank Sponsor proposes the following Credit Release Schedule: ·

25% release upon bank establishment date

·

25% release upon completion of construction and 25% of the endowment amount funded

·

30% release when year 3 performance standards met and endowment amount 70% funded

·

20% release when year 5 performance standards met and endowment amount 100% funded

Bank establishment includes a fully executed BEI, recorded conservation easement, and posted financial assurances. Completion of construction includes the submittal of as-built drawings, with accurate maps of the constructed habitats, and will describe in detail any deviation from the Development Plan in the BEI. The third and fourth credit release is also contingent upon the Bank Sponsor's submission of the annual report for the current reporting period.

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6.0

PROPOSED SERVICE AREAS

The Bank as proposed generates 148.6 wetland credits as described in Chapter 5. These credits would be available to the regulated public for purchase to offset stream and wetland impacts in the service areas described below and shown on Figure 6-1. The proposed primary service area is the Cache La Poudre HUC 8 (HUC 10190007), the Big Thompson HUC 8 (HUC 10190006), St. Vrain HUC 8 (HUC 10190005), Lone Tree-Owl HUC 8 (HUC 10190008), Crow HUC 8 (HUC 10190009), Pawnee HUC 8 (HUC 10190014), Middle South Platte-Sterling HUC 8 (HUC 10190012), the Little Dry Creek-South Platte River HUC 10 (HUC 1019000306), Outlet Box Elder Creek River HUC 10 (HUC 1019000308), Sanborn Draw-South Platte River HUC 10 (HUC 1019000310), Greasewood Draw-South Platte River HUC 10 (HUC 1019000311), and the Cottonwood Draw-South Platte River HUC 10 (HUC 1019000312). The landscapes within the primary service area shares similar characteristics, climate, soil types, vegetation and wildlife, special status species and critical habitats. There are several infrastructure and private development projects in the planning stages within this proposed service area which could benefit from the use of Park Creek Station credits. The proposed secondary service area is the remaining HUC 6 outside the primary service area inside Colorado. Conditions for use will be presented in the BEI. Permittees with impacts in the primary service area will be able to offset jurisdictional and other wetland and stream impacts at Park Creek Station to fulfill the compensatory mitigation requirements of their Department of the Army Permits, Permissions, and Enforcement Actions. State and local regulatory requirements may be met in accordance with agency conditions. Regardless of source of sale all credits sold are deducted from the credit ledger.

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WYOMING

rth

Pla

tte

Riv

NEBRASKA

er

25

r

80

th

Pl

at

te

Ri ve

Cache La P ou dre Ri v er Fort Collins Greeley

So u

Path: Z:\General\KCM\ESP\Marketing\Bus_Dev\MitBanking\Colorado\Park Creek Station\3 Tech Studies\Geospatial\DataFiles\ArcDocs\MitigationBankProspectus\PC_6-1ServiceArea.mxd ajreither 9/9/2017 COPYRIGHT © 2017 BURNS & McDONNELL ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC. Service Layer Credits: Copyright:© 2014 Esri

No

76

Boulder

Denver 70

COLORADO

70

Colorado Springs

KANSAS

25

Arkansas River NORTH

40

20

0

40

Scale in Miles Park Creek Mitigation Bank

City State

Primary Service Area

County

Secondary Service Area: South Platte HUC 6 (101900)

Major Highways Major River

Source: Esri; and Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc.

Figure 6-1 Primary Service Area Map Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank Larimer County, Colorado Issued: 9/9/2017

Park Creek Station Mitigation Bank Prospectus

7.0

References

REFERENCES

Ancestory.com. 2017. George W. Pollock. Electronic database. http://Ancestory.com, accessed April 28, 2017. Anderson, J.L., L.C. Todd, G.R. Burgett, and D.J. Rapson. 1994. Archaeological Investigations at the Massey Draw Site (5JF339): Archaic Occupations along the Rocky Mountain Front Range, Jefferson County, Colorado. Colorado Department of Transportation Archaeological Research Series, No. 3. Denver. Ancestory.com 2017) Batchelor, J.L, Ripple, W.J., Wilson, T.M., and Painter, L.E. (2015). Restoration of Riparian Areas Following the Removal of Cattle in the Northwestern Great Basin. Environmental Management 55:930-942. Bohn, C.C. and Buckhouse, J.C. (1985). Some Responses of Riparian Soils to Grazing Management in Northeastern Oregon. Journal of Range Management 38(4):378-381. Booth, D.T., Cox, S.E, Simonds, G.; Sant E.D. (2012). Willow Cover as a Stream-Recovery Indicator Under a Conservation Grazing Plan. Ecol. Indic. 18:512-519. Brookshire, E.N.J., Kauffman, J.B., Lytjen, D., and Otting, N. (2002). Cumulative Effects of Wild Ungulate and Livestock Herbivory on Riparian Willows. Oecologia 132:559-566. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). 2017. Search Land Patents in General Land Office Records website. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management. Electronic database, http://glorecords.blm.gov, accessed April 28, 2017. Butler, W.B. 1992. Bison Presence and Absence in Colorado. Southwestern Lore 58(3):1-14. ------. 1997. Cultural and Climatic Patterns in the Faunal Record from Western Plains Archaeological Sites. Southwestern Lore 64(4):1-36. Case, R.L. and Kaufman, J.B. (1997). Wild Ungulate Influences on the Recovery of Willows, Black Cottonwood and Thinleaf Alder Following Cessation of Cattle Grazing in Northeastern Oregon. Northwest Science 71(2):115-126. Cassells, E. S. 1990. The Archaeology of Colorado. Johnson Books, Boulder, Colorado. City of Boulder, Colorado. 2017. Prairie dogs on OSMP. Available at https://bouldercolorado.gob/osmp/prairie-dogs-on-osmp. Access January 2017. Clary, W.P. (1999). Stream Channel and Vegetation Responses to Late Spring Cattle Grazing. Journal of Range Management 52(3):218-227. Collins, C.D. 2006. Atlas of the Sioux Wars. Combat Studies Institute Press, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Coles-Richie, M.C., Roberts, D.W., Kershner, J.L., and Henderson, R.C. (2007). Use of a Wetland Index to Evaluate Changes in Riparian Vegetation After Livestock Exclusion. Journal of the American Water Resources Association 43(3):731-743.

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Kappler, C.J. (Compiler and editor). 1904. Treaty with the Sioux-Brulé, Oglala, Miniconjou, Yakatonai, Hunkpapa, Blackfeet, Cuthead, Two Kettle, San Arcs, and Santee ­ and Arapaho, 1868 (Treaty of Fort Laramie, 1868). 15 Stat.635, April 29, 1868. Ratified February 16, 1868; proclaimed February 24, 1868. In Indian Affairs: Laws and Treaties, Vol, II: Treaties. Pp. 998-1007. US Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. Kauffman, J.B., Krueger, W.C., Vavra, M., 1983. Effects of late season cattle grazing on riparian plant communities. Journal of Range Management 36, 685­691. Kentula, M.E. 2000. Perspectives on setting success criteria for wetland restoration. Ecological Engineering 15: 199-209. Knopf. F.L. 1985. Significance of Riparian Vegetation to Breeding Birds Across an Altitudinal Dine. Pages 105-111 in Johnson, R.R., Ziebell, C.D., Patten, D.R., Folliot, P.F., and Hamre, R.H., technical coordinators. Riparian Ecosystems and Their Management: Reconciling Conflicting Uses. General Technical Report RM-120. U.S. Forest Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. Knopf, F.L. 1986. Changing Landscapes and the Cosmopolitism of the Eastern Colorado Avifauna. Wildlife Society Bulletin 14:132-142. Knopf, F.L. Sedgwick, J.A, and Cannon, R.W. 1988. Guild Structures of a Riparian Avifauna Relative to Seasonal Cattle Grazing. Journal of Wildlife Management 52:280-290. Samson, F.B. 1996. Scale perspectives on avian diversity in western riparian systems. In F. B. Samson et al., Ecosystem Management. Springer-Verlag New York, Inc. Krausman, P.R. 1996. Rangeland Wildlife. Society of Range Management. Krausman, P.R. 1999. Some Basic Principles of Habitat Use. In Grazing Behavior of Livestock and Wildlife. Idaho Forest, Wildlife & Range Exp. Sta. Bull. #70 Univ. of Idaho, Moscow, ID. Editors: K.L. Launchbaugh, K.D. Sanders, J.C. Mosley. Lockhard, B., C. Serr, B. Schreiver, and B. Lindsey. 2013. The Glass Factory and Bottles of Alexander and David H. Chambers. Society of Historic Archaeology. Lohman, K., 2004. Wildlife Use of Riverine Wetland Habitats. In: Wetland and Riparian Areas of the Intermountain West: Ecology and Management, M.C. McKinstry, W.A. Hubert, and S.H. Anderson (Editors). University of Texas Press, Austin, Texas, pp. 74-86. Leege, T.A., Herman, D.J., and Zamora B. (1981). Effects of Cattle Grazing on Mountain Meadows in Idaho. Journal of Range Management 34:324-328. Magilligan, F.J. and McDowell, P.F. (1997). Stream Channel Adjustments Following Elimination of Cattle Grazing. Journal of the American Water Resources Association 33(4):867-878. McDonald, R., Gann, G.D, and Dixon, K.W. 2016. International Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration ­ Including Principles and Key Concepts. Society for Ecological Restoration. Washington, D.C.

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Michlovic, M.G. 1986. Cultural Evolutionism and Plains Archaeology. Plains Anthropologist 3(113):207218. Mitsch, W.J. and R.F. Wilson. 1996. Improving the success of wetland creation and restoration with know-how, time, and self-design. Ecological Applications 6(1): 77-83. Mitsch, William J., Xinyuan Wu, Robert W. Nairn, Paul E. Weihe, Naiming Wang, Robert Deal, and Charles E. Boucher. 1998. Creating and restoring wetlands: A whole-ecosystem experiment in self-design. Bioscience 48(12): 1019-1030. Morris, A.J., A. Briggs-Ahlbandt, and K. Stieban. 1985. History of Larimer County. Curtis Media Corporation, Dallas, Texas. Myers, T.J., and Swanson, S. (1995). Impact of Deferred Rotation Grazing on Stream Characteristics in Central Nevada: A Case Study. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 15:428-439. Nature Serve Explorer. 2015. An online Encyclopedia of Life. Available at http://explorer.natureserve.org/. Accessed December 2016. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 2015. All about Birds. Available at https://www.allaboutbirds.org/. Accessed December 2016. Natural Resources Conservation Service (2017). Web Soil Survey. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Retrieved July 2017 from http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov. North Poudre Irrigation Company (NPIC). 2017. History. Electronic document, http://NPICWater/NPICHistory/, accessed May 1, 2017. Platts, W.S. 1981. Sheep and Streams. Rangelands 3(4):158-160. Reed, A. D. and Metcalf, M. D. 1999. Colorado Prehistory: A Context for the Northern Colorado River Basin. Metcalf Archaeological Consultants Inc., Eagle, Colorado. Rowe, R.A. 2002. Kennedy Oil Company Northern and Central Sweetwater Federal Coal Bed Methane Wells, Access Roads, and Utility Corridors., A Class III Cultural Resources Inventory, Sweetwater County, Wyoming. Greystone Project 2002-146, Greenwood Village, Colorado. ------. 2014. The Geomorphology of the "Four Sites" Area along the South Platte in Northern Colorado. Presented at the 79th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, Austin, Texas. Saab, V.A., C.E. Bock, T.E. Rich, and D.S. Dobkin, 1995. Livestock Grazing Effects in Western North America. In: Ecology and Management of Neotropical Migratory Birds: A Synthesis and Review of Critical Issues, T.E. Martin and D.M. Finch (Editors). Oxford University Press, New York, pp. 311-353. Sarr, D.A. 2002. Riparian Livestock Exclosure Research in the Western United States: a Critique and Some Recommendations. Environmental Management 30:516-526. Schultz, T.T. and Leininger, W.C. (1990). Differences in Riparian Vegetation Structure Between Grazed and Exclosures. Journal of Range Management 43(4):295-299. Scott, J. 1995. On the Santa Fe Trail. University Press of Kansas, Lawrence.

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Sebastian, L., and S. Larralde 1989. Living on the Land: 11,000 years of Human Adaptation in Southeastern New Mexico. Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Office, Cultural Resources Series No. 6. Santa Fe. Secoy, F.R. 1953. Changing Military Patterns on the Great Plains 17th Century Through Early 19th Century. Monographs of the American Ethnological Society No. 21. J.J. Augustin Publisher, Locust Valley, New York. Shimkin, D.B. 1986. Eastern Shoshone. In Great Basin, edited by Warren L. d'Azevedo, pp. 308­335. Handbook of North American Indians, Volume 11. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. Smiley, B. 2010. Sand Creek Massacre. Archeology. Archaeological Institute of America. Electronic document, http://archive.archaeology.org/9911/newsbriefs/sand.html accessed April 14, 2016. Stenger, A.T. 2013. Pre-Clovis in the Americas: Characterizing Early Sites, Material Cultural, and Origins. In Pre-Clovis in the Americas. International Science Conference Proceedings. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. Stuber, R.J. 1985. Trout Habitat, Abundance, and Fishing Opportunities in Fenced vs Unfenced Riparian Habitat Along Sheep Creek, Colorado. In Proceedings of the First North American Riparian Conference. Tucson, Arizona, April 16-18, 1985. Szaro, R. C., and M. D. Jakle. 1985. Avian use of a desert riparian island and its adjacent scrub habitat. Condor 87:511-519. Taylor, D.M. 1986. Effects of Cattle Grazing on Passerine Birds Nesting in Riparian Habitat. Journal of Range Management 39:254-258. Trimble, S.W. and Mendel, A.C. 1995. The Cow as a Geomorphic Agent ­ a Critical Review. Geomorphology 13:233-253. Tweto, O. 1979. Geologic Map of Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey Special Geologic Map, scale 1:500,000. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) (1987). Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual. Vicksburg, Mississippi: U.S. Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center, Technical Report Y-87-1. ------. (2010). Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Great Plains Region (Version 2.0). Vicksburg, Mississippi: U.S. Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center, ERDC/EL TR-10-1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2016). Colorado Ecoregions. Available at https://www.epa.gov/eco-research/ecoregion-download-files-state-region-8#pane-05. Accessed June 2017. EPA My Property Info site: http://www.epa.gov/environ/html/fii/myproperty/ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2003. Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse Recovery Plan, Colorado. Region 6, Lakewood, Colorado. (Draft).

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Park Creek Station Mitigation Bank Prospectus

References

USFWS. 2017. National Wetland Inventory. Retrieved April 2017 from: https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/. Verner, J. 1984. The guild concept applied to management of bird populations. Environmental Management 8:1-14 Watrous, W. 1911. History of Larimer County. Cache la Poudre Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. Fort Collins, Colorado. Western Regional Climate Center. 2017. Buckhorn Mtn 1 E, Colorado (051060). Available at http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?co1060. Accessed January 2017. Wheeler, M.A., Trlica, M.J., Frasier, G.W., and Reeder, J.D. (2002). Seasonal Grazing Affects Soil Physical Properties of a Montane Riparian Community. Journal of Range Management 55:49-56.

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Burns & McDonnell

APPENDIX- PHOTOGRAPHS

Photopoint 1: On October 24, 1863, Ben Holladay secured a $500.00 lease for a station for the Overland Stage Company on the "new" South Platte route. Holladay named the property Park Creek Station.

Photopoint 2: Cattle grazing is intense throughout the site and it is the primary stressor directly and indirectly affecting the extent, structure, and function of stream, wetland, and riparian habitat onsite.

Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank

Prospectus Photographs

Photopoint 3: Current and historic grazing practices have negatively impacted riparian and wetland vegetation cover, composition, and structure adjacent to Park Creek. Occasional legacy willows are all that remain of historic habitats.

Photopoint 4: Willow germination or clonal spreading is observed throughout the site, but establishment is almost entirely absent due to observable evidence of pervasive herbivory in wetlands and riparian areas.

Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank

Prospectus Photographs

Photopoint 5: Streambanks, wetlands, and adjacent riparian areas are also directly impacted by trampling and pugging leading to bank erosion, poor water quality, and the loss of vegetation structure and characteristic flora and fauna.

Photopoint 6: Cattle have been directly and indirectly contributing to reduced water quality, and direct and indirect impacts to riparian and stream structure and function. The site needs active restoration to repair ecosystems.

Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank

Prospectus Photographs

Photopoint 7: The degraded streambanks and adjacent degraded wetlands. riparian woodlands, and buffers offer excellent restoration potential along the northern reach of Park Creek.

Photopoint 8: The stream is visibly degraded but has adjacent seeps and riparian woodland on the northeast banks and a restorable slope wetland complex draining from the west, visible as dark green band in distance on right.

Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank

Prospectus Photographs

Photopoint 9: Woodland and scrub elements have been drastically reduced or completely removed from the Park Creek system. Active restoration will restore these structural elements to the Park Creek system.

Photopoint 10: There are small and occasional simplified and species poor riparian wetlands in the creek and on the adjacent terraces demonstrating the Park Creek system can support these habitat types.

Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank

Prospectus Photographs

Photopoint 11: The confluence of Park Creek and the slope wetland complex draining from the west. Noxious weeds such as Russian olive shown here will be removed and managed as part of the active restoration actions.

Photopoint 12: The southern portions of the creek have lower, steeper banks and generally wider floodplain than the northern reach. Adjacent Riparian Woodland Restoration opportunities are narrower along the southern reach.

Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank

Prospectus Photographs

Photopoint 13: The wider, flatter southern reach likely receives disproportionate grazing pressure resulting in a large amount of bare ground in the floodplains adjacent to the creek.

Photopoint 14: Park Creek flowing across the southern boundary of the property. The alkali playa complex visible the distance on the right. Bare ground adjacent to stream is common along entire 1.25 mile Park Creek system.

Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank

Prospectus Photographs

Photopoint 15: The current degraded condition of the Riparian Woodland Restoration area adjacent to Park Creek in the northeast. Decompaction and minor earthwork followed by active planting will occur in this area.

Photopoint 16: Current access road looking south with existing riparian woodland on the left and Park Creek system on the right. Access road may be kept in place or relocated in detailed designs.

Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank

Prospectus Photographs

Photopoint 17: Looking west across the southern reach of Park Creek with current grazed conditions within the proposed Riparian Woodland Restoration area along Park Creek.

Photopoint 18: Intensely grazed and denuded southern terminus of onsite reaches and adjacent terraces of Park Creek.

Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank

Prospectus Photographs

Photopoint 19: Bank Design provides maximum habitat interspersion along Park Creek after installation of multiple hydrogeomorphic and habitat types in proposed Rehabilitation, Restoration, Enhancement, and Establishment areas.

Photopoint 20: Looking south toward PP-21across the interconnected Riparian Woodland Restoration and Establishment, and Seasonal Wetland Establishment areas taken from edge of the existing riparian woodland.

Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank

Prospectus Photographs

Photopoint 21: Looking across boundary of proposed Seasonal Wetland and Riparian Woodland Establishment areas toward existing riparian woodland. Existing wet meadow may be visible in the far right background.

Photopoint 22: Looking southeast toward PP-23 across future interconnected Riparian Woodland Restoration and Establishment, and Seasonal Wetland Establishment areas taken from edge of the existing riparian woodland.

Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank

Prospectus Photographs

Photopoint 23: Outflow side of MN_01 gate on main A ditch.

Photopoint 24: Intake pipe and gate of MN_01 on main Ditch A. Senior water rights and history of successful deliveries strongly suggests simple but effective distribution system is reliable in current condition and configuration.

Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank

Prospectus Photographs

Photopoint 25: Photo taken standing on main A ditch at MN_01 looking south to property. The current system is operational for long-term and consistent delivery; improvements or relocation along main A may occur.

Photopoint 26: Onsite ditch. Note existing riparian woodland to left and Park Creek trees on right in distance. Bare ground in proposed Riparian Woodland Restoration area is visible adjacent to Park Creek. Hogbacks in distance.

Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank

Prospectus Photographs

Photopoint 27: The alkali playa complex looking south from the Upper#1 Ditch. Passive and active restoration measures will be taken in Wetland Rehabilitation areas.

Photopoint 28: The alkali playa complex contains unique wetland plants adapted to alkaline soil conditions. Cattle impacts are severe and the restoration opportunities unique.

Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank

Prospectus Photographs

Photopoint 29: Looking northwest across slope wetland complex. Note willows trying to establish at margins upslope. Low species diversity as a result of land use characterizes the Wetland Restoration and Wetland Buffer baseline.

Photopoint 30: Looking east to confluence with Park Creek. Limited willow recruitment visible along proposed Wetland Buffer and Riparian Woodland Restoration boundaries on left. Upland Buffer on right needs active restoration.

Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank

Prospectus Photographs

Photopoint 31: Current and historic grazing has led to a dominance of increaser species and a decline of native species diversity resulting in low species richness, low species evenness, and a greater presence of nonnative species.

Photopoint 32: Looking north across simplified existing wetland system. Note Riparian Woodland on the left. Adjacent Seasonal Wetland Establishment would increase wetland extent and provide needed native species diversity to the site.

Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank

Prospectus Photographs

Photopoint 33: The unnamed stream that the Seasonal Wetland Establishment connects with has wetter reaches where groundwater discharges along the eastern valley edge resulting in the potential for high native diversity.

Photopoint 34: Lower portions of jurisdictional unnamed stream also show potential for improvement of existing conditions. This low order stream is a tributary to Park Creek and originates onsite.

Park Creek Station Wetland Mitigation Bank

Prospectus Photographs

Burns & McDonnell 9785 Maroon Circle, Suite 400 Centennial, CO 80112 O 303-721-9292 F 303-721-0563 www.burnsmcd.com

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