FLOOD11445 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

REPORTS AND VIDEOS RECENTLY COMPLETED Pla~ning Environmental Linkages (PEL) Project By Craig ClSper. PPACG Transportation Director Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) is an approach to trans- portation decision-making that considers environmental, communi- ty, and economic goals early in the planning stage and carries them through project development, design, and construction. PPACG received a grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to examine the use of NatureServe Vista, a conservation planning tool. NatureServe Vista providcs thrcc distinct analyscs for conserva- tion plan ning: Elemcnt Conscrvation Value lavers, which identifies areas that have high conservation value f(;r individual elements in the planning region, Conservation Value Summaries that idwtify high conservation areas fin groups of elements, and Sccnario Evaluations, which indicate areas with compatible land use and adequate protection policies to mect element conserva- tion goals. Land use and protection policies in the planning region, both cur- rem and potential future conditions, can be represented in different scenarios. Scenario Evaluations essentially identify areas in thc plan- ning region to conserve, areas where there are gaps in protection, and . areas that can be designated for development that would least impact conservation goals. Using NatureServe Vista, a customized plan can be developed that will enable the conservation of what is valued most in the planning region, balancing diverse land uses and priorities, such as natural habitats, historic preservation, and farmland. 'Ihe goal is to help planners understand local ecosystems, iden- tify high-priority lands, and evaluate competing land use plans. NatureSerVl: Vista may also be used to identify areas of potential de- velopment that are in least conflict with conservation clements, and it may be especially valuable for comparing different stakeholders' values and visions to find locations on which they agree that mitiga- tion should be focused. -nlis study has complcted and a summary of the report will be available at v,'ww.ppacg.org by the end of February. Fountain Creek Watershed Video By Carol Baker, Colorado Springs Utilities In October 2007 a video of Fountain Creek was shot from the Monument Creek confluence down to the Arkansas Rivcr. 'This video and numerous still photos were shot by the THK consult- ing team from a helicopter. Due to the fall colors, the vidco clearly delincates key vegetativc species (cottonwood, tamarisk, and Russian olive). 111is work will be used as a tool for developing the Fountain Creek Corridor Master Plan. 'nle video and pictures are avail- able at wwwJountain-crk.org. In December the Colorado Springs Swrmwater Enterprise hircd the same team to video and photograph portions of Upper Fountain Creek, Monument Creek, Sand Creek, Cottonwood Creek and Jimmy Camp Creek. IO FfJl/J/laiJ/ Creek, W;,lers!Jed ]\'ewsleller Fl!lml<l~J! :!oos 1-- A rial photo oIfountain Creek. Photo courtesy ofTHK Associates. USGS Reports Two reports have been recently released (2007) by the US<-;S. 'Ihese reports can be found at \vww.foumain-crk.org under the "Rcports" section of the "Vision Task Forcc" link. Urban-Related Emiirlinmental Variables and "f/;eir Relation with Patterns in Biological Community Structure ill the Foulltain Creek Bmill, Colorado 2003-2005; Scientific Investigations Report (SIR) 07-5225 Data on invertcbrate, fish, strcamflow, habitat, water-chemistry, . and land-use was collected from 1.? sites in the Fountain Creek basin from 2003 to 2005. Thc Hydrologic Index Tool was used to calculate hydrologic indices known to be related to urbanization. Response of stream hydrology to urbanization was evident among hydrologic variables that dcscribed srormflow. 'lhis study found that patterns in invertebrate community structure from 2003 to 2005 in the Fountain Creek basin wcre associated with a variety of environ- mental charactcristics influenced by urbanization. Fish community structure showcd weaker links between urban-related environmental variables and biological patterns (excerpt from exccutive summary). Characterization oIStonnflows and Wastewater Treatment-Plallt /.;jjluenr Discharges 011 \Vtuer Quality, Suspended Sediment. {lIJd Stretlm MorpholofO'for Fountain {lIId MOl/ument Creek Watersheds, Colorado, 1981-2006; SIR 07-5104 This study focuscs on the effects of stormflows and wastewater effiuent on water quality and suspended-sedimcnt based on thrce different flow regimcs: base flow, normal flow and storm flow. Concentrations were compared to the in-stream water (juality standards for cach stream segment. During swrmflow it was found streams did not exceed water quality standards except for a fcw isolated cases such as E. coli which was found to exceed standards both at the main stern and tributary sites. 111ere were also two sitcs at Cottonwood Creek which exceeded concentrations of dissolved nitrite plus nitrate. Suspended-sediment concentrations, discharges and yields a~sociated with swrmflow were significantly larger then those associated with norma' flow. '[he largest suspended -sedi- mcnt yields occurrcd at streams located in the Colorado Picdmont that drain into thc watershed from the cast (excerpt from executive . summary).