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<br />South Platte River, Chatfield Downstream Channel Improvement Project- Vegetation Management Plan <br /> <br />IV. ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION <br /> <br />Environmental Mitigation Goals <br />The second main goal of this VMP is to voluntarily provide environmental mitigation and <br />enhancement, outside of the flood control channel but within the Project area, on a reach by <br />reach basis. <br /> <br />Vegetation Replacement <br />Acceptable vegetation species that can be replanted within the channel sandbars and along the <br />river banks have been discussed with the Omaha Corps. (Refer to appendix A for a list plant <br />species and vendor list). There is a concern for soil erosion and water quality impacts with the <br />removal of large amounts of undesirable plants. Therefore, recommendations for acceptable <br />vegetative characteristic for soil stabilization with plantings in the channel and streambank were <br />requested from the Corps. The following characteristic were provided by Pam Graham and Bob <br />Warden from the Corps, Omaha District (Graham & Warden 2008): <br /> <br />. Species that do not decrease the capacity of the flood channel <br />. Species that stabilize the soil similar to a landscape mat <br />. Species with fine roots and above ground growth <br />. Species of Graminoids are preferred <br /> <br />Recommended local vendors for seeds and plants include Hydra Aquatic Inc, Pawnee Butte Seed <br />Co., Western Native Seed, and Granite Seed Co, and Rocky Mountain Native Plants <br />Co. (Appendix A). Acreage costs depend on species selection, density, and maintenance and <br />would take quite a bit of calculation and research to determine. Hypothetically for lowland <br />riparian, if an acre is seeded at 10 lbs of seed/acre and the average cost is $150 per pound, it <br />would be $1,500/acre. Above and beyond seeding costs, enhancement activities could run as <br />high as $30,000/acre depending on specific implementation measures. <br /> <br />Stream Confluence Protection <br />In general it is recommended that natural drainage confluence areas are protected and enhanced <br />including: Lee Gulch, Dutch Creek, Little's Creek, Big Dry Creek, Bear Creek <br /> <br />Conservation Opportunities <br />In addition, outside of the flood control channel but within the Project area, on a reach by reach <br />basis there are various mitigation opportunities which include habitat conservation easements <br />and enhancement. Adjacent land ownership and general interest in participation still needs to be <br />determined, but the initial analysis showed that the following areas may be explored for each <br />reach. <br />. Reach A) South Platte Park - Bowles Avenue: Wildlife Area, Lee Gulch and pond, Dutch <br />Creek, Watson Lake <br />. Reach B) Bowles Avenue - West Union Avenue (Pilot Project): Bowles/Santa Fe Corner, <br />Prince/Belleview Corner, Centennial Golf Course, Big Dry Creek <br />. Reach C) West Union Avenue - West Oxford Avenue: Centennial Park and Creek, & <br />long sandbars near industrial area. <br />. Reach D) West Oxford Avenue - Hampden Avenue: Englewood Golf Course, Bear Creek <br /> <br />Page 18 <br />Final Report - April 30, 2008 <br />