Laserfiche WebLink
William F. Jennings <br />Botanical Consultant <br />P.O. Boa 952 <br />Louisville, CO 80027 <br />303-666-8348 <br />1uly 27, 2012 <br />Bradford Janes <br />Varra Companies, Inc. <br />8120 Gage Street <br />Frederick, CO 80534 <br />Bearson Property Rare Plant Survey (`Vurunthc•. chluviults) <br />Dear Mr. Janes <br />As you had requested, l have completed a survey of the Bearson tract north of Frederick and south <br />of Gowanda, searching for habitat and plants for the federally threatened plant species Ute ladies' - <br />tresses orchid (Spiruuthc.s (Nuvwu/ic ). Parts of the property are on the floodplain of St. Vrain <br />Creek, and parts are on uplands, away from the floodplain. The site is the northwest quarter of <br />section 33, T3N R67W, roughly 160 acres, and is shown on the Gowanda 7.5' Quadrangle. The <br />property measures approximately one-half mile north -south and one-half mile east -west. The <br />northwest corner of the property is at the southeast corner of the intersection of Weld Countv <br />Roads 17 and 28. The surveyed area excludes the Bearson homestead and outbuildings. The <br />survey was completed on July 26, 2012, a hot summer day. Assisting on the survey was Robert F. <br />Jennings. Bradford Janes of Varra was present during most of the survev. <br />The Varra Companies are planning to develop gravel mining operations on the property, which is <br />currently used for agricultural purposes. Several gas wells are present. The area is generally open <br />country, but the town of Frederick is rapidly developing northward toward the property. <br />The orchid blooms in Jul and August, usually commencing bloom about July 20. By mid- <br />September the orchid is in fruit. If no frosts have occurred, the plant is green and erect in eariv <br />fall, but tends to blend into the surrounding greenery. When in bloom, porcelain white flowers <br />immediately call attention to the plant During winter and spring, the plant is not visible or is <br />visible only as a dime -sized over -winter rosette. On the date of the survey, the orchid's normal <br />blooming season had commenced the week previous. On July 19, orchids were seen in bloom at a