PERMFILE41717

• Permit No: M2000082
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Name: REGULAR 112 RECLAMATION PERMIT APPLICATION EAST 8TH STREET OPERATION GREELEY COLO
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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Wildlife on site is also limited by lack of quality habitat. Ducks. geese and other water birds use the
' river, especially in midwinter when other area waters are frozen. The proximity of this site to the
effiuent treatment facilities of the City of Greeley and Western Sugar Company makes this stretch of
the Paudre a warm water stream that rarely freezes. Muskrat. beaver, and mink can be found in the
' River. Representative rodents would include Norway rats, deer mice, and house mice. It is unlikely
that the site would shelter Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse. A herd of about 15 male and while-tatted
deer is &equentty seen across river. Raptors, including Bald Eagles hunt the river comdor. Coyotes,
red fox raccoon and striped sktmk aze commonly found in the area. Law water quality and mad
substrate in the river favors rough fish carp and suckers, over sport fish. Several species of small fish
' are found in the river, however these too are probably fish adapted to low water quality, high turbidity
and thud substrates. Amphibians are corttttton along the riparian corridor. In this stretch of river there
aze high numbers of Bullfrogs, and this species can adversely impact native frog and toad poptilations.
' Snapping turtles, painted tuNes and spiny softshell turtles are common in the River. Limited
streamside vegetation has probably reduced snake diversity and abundance. The northen water snake
and three species of garter wake could be found on this site.
1 Despite the highly disturbed nature of this parcel its location in the riparian zone with the Poudre River
as a boundary makes this site one that hastremendous potential for natural resource restoration and
' enhancement. The Division would recomtrtend that reclamation and development of this site should
concentrate on the dominant natural resource and topographic feature of the azea, the lower Cache La
Poudre River. The City of Greeley has prided itself on being a community that emphasizes the wise use
' of our precious aatural resources. The City has worked hard to- devebp reasonable flood plain plans
for the Poudre River. An open space wmmiltee was formed to provide guidance to the City
' concerning preservation of open space as an amenity to our town. The Greeley Wildlife Cottmratee
produced a Natural Resources and Wt7dlife Plan that has been adopted by the City. This plan calls for,
"encouraging the wise use of our natural resources", and identifies riparian sites along the Cache La
' Poudre River as a priority. We would encourage you to develop this site is a manner wnsistent with
the character of a-bw elevatioa, cottonweod-wfllow riparian flood plain. Special attention should be
given to the power of the River in flood stage and in creating a development that will help decrease the
' negative impacts o€high flows. In-tieing tltis you would not only beneSt wildlife, but would also help
fitlfill City goals of reducing impacts of floods to azea residents and businesses, provide much needed
open space close to the City center and could-also fulfill other recreational needs on site. To this end,
' the Division would recommend:
1. A detailed reclamation and development plan for this sate should be created and approved by
appropriate City staff prior to onset of construction activities. As a beginning step in this process,
' we would enceurage you to- meet with Western Sugar, your neighbor on the south side of the
Poudre, to see if they maybe interested in working together towazd a cooperative reclamation
' effort. As you know, regional pLwaingrsalways better than piecemeal efforts.
2. The plan and development should not further restrict the Poudre River Channel Oiling and levees
on this site should be placed as far from the River as is practical 'T'his site should be developed as a
' low plain that allows periodic inundation to help absorb and disperse peak river flows.
3. Lf possible, the river channel should be widened to provide shallows and sandbars consistent with a
plains stream Ahematively a "stairstep" of channels could be excavated that would accommodate
varying flow rates. Riprap should be avoided if other options can be used. Lf it is necessary to use
riprap, it should be of suitable material rather than asphalt and broken concrete.
4. Abroad band of riparian vegetation should be restored along the River's edge and along the various
' ditches passing through the property. There should be a narrow fi-inge of upland grasses along the
upper edge of the r~arian vegetation. Reclamation plantings should emphasize the use of native