Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Notable Natural Features <br />A young, highly diverse riparian community occurs in Study Reach 2A (FCC 16) the study reach just <br />below 30th Street. A riparian forest, wet meadow, cattail marsh, and remnant oxbow occur further <br />downstream in Reach 1. Although exotic species are prevalent, overall these reaches are rich in <br />biodiversity. Previous studies ranked FCC16 'good' in total aquatic habitat quality and streambed <br />characteristics (see Tables 7.1 and 7.2). Preservation and maintenance of the existing channel and <br />vegetation are recommended. <br />Previous studies ranked Reach 3 (FCC12), near the Elks' Club, 'good' with regard to riparian habitat <br />vegetation structure, total aquatic habitat quality, and streambed characteristics (see Tables 7.1 and <br />7.2). Preservation and maintenance of the existing channel and vegetation are recommended in this <br />reach. <br />7-1 <br /> <br />ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND OPPORTUNITIES <br /> <br />purpose <br /> <br />The environmental component of the Fourmile Canyon Creek Master Plan integrates general <br />ecological principles and the City of Boulder's published goals, objectives, and environmental data <br />into the planning of flood improvements on Fourmile Canyon Creek. The purpose is to provide <br />planning guidance and to utilize the opportunity to combine flood improvements with preservation, <br />restoration, and enhancement of ecosystem functions and values on Fourmile Canyon Creek. <br /> <br />7. <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />7.1 <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />The City of Boulder's existing data (see References section) appropriate to this master planning effort <br />was compiled and studied. A field investigation was also performed and the project reaches <br />photographed. No notable conflicts occurred between existing data and the field assessment. <br />References to all data sources are made throughout this report, the figures, and tables. <br /> <br />Methodolo <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />An extensive biological database has been collected on the City of Boulder stream tributaries, <br />including Fourmile Canyon Creek. The published habitat data and the field assessment information <br />gathered during this master plan process is depicted in the attached figures and tables. Figures 7-1a, <br />7 -1 b, 7-1 c for the Environmental Assessment and Opportunities Maps, describe existing conditions, <br />opportunities by environmental evaluation study reach and major drainageway planning study reach <br />limits. The habitat assessment matrices (Tables 7.1 and 7.2) display the relative ranking of each <br />reach of stream according to specific habitat criteria evaluated in previous studies. Ranking numbers <br />used in the attached matrices have been altered from the original database in order to more easily <br />compile and compare the data from various studies. <br /> <br />EXISTING CONDITIONS <br /> <br />7.2 <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />Wetlands <br /> <br />The City of Boulder's adopted wetland maps identify wetlands flanking the Fourmile Canyon Creek <br />corridor throughout the study reach (see Figures 7-la, 7-1b, 7-1c). Preservation of notable wetlands <br />and other natural features found in the project area is recommended. Any wetlands impacted during <br />construction must be mitigated in accordance with the City of Boulder and Boulder County <br />permitting processes and federal regulations. <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />I <br />