1997-06-13_REPORT - M1981302 (18)

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the buffer zone, as an area of special environmental concern (Melany Zgabay pers. comm.). 2. Fort St. Wain Nuclear Generating Station- The Public Service Company of Colorado has leased the majority of its land associated with the Fort St. Wain Nuclear Generating Station to ranchers to graze and water livestock, and for minimal agricultural activities, since the mid- 1970s or earlier(Ted Borst pers. comm.). Part of this grazing activity is directly adjacent to the irrigation canal where captures of Z. h. preblei were made in the 1970s. The grazing may have had an adverse impact on the dense, tall vegetation along the canal which is considered critical habitat structure. There has also been periodic exploration for natural gas involving the drilling of wells (Ted Borst pers. comm.). No other known leases, easements, or special designations are known for this station. 3. City of Boulder Open Space: Tracy Collins parcel-The Tracy Collins parcel is leased for livestock grazing in the spirit of preserving agricultural heritage and promoting ecologically sound agriculture. Grazing has been allowed on the parcel since its inclusion as City of Boulder Open Space land in 1984 (Mark Gershman pers. comm.). 4. City of Boulder Open Space: VanVleet parcel-The VanVleet parcel is leased for agricultural purposes, and is utilized as a hayfield and winter pasture for livestock The land is leased in the spirit of preserving agricultural heritage and promoting ecologically sound agriculture. The land has been leased for agricultural purposes since its inclusion as City of Boulder Open Space land in 1978 (Mark Gershman pers. comm.). 13. Management practices and experience A. Review of past management and land-use experiences 1. Rocky Flats Plant- The U.S. Department of Atomic Energy established the Rocky Flats Plant in 1952 (Melany Zgabay pers. comm.). The plant is currently administered by the U.S. Department of Energy. The plant was established to produce plutonium for nuclear weaponry. Land associated with the plant consists of 6440 total acres, approximately 6000 acres of which consists of a buffer zone around the main facility. The buffer zone has been effectively protected from human activities and development since establishment of the plant. In essence, the area has served as a nature preserve, and is surrounded by a security fence. No proactive wildlife or habitat management has occurred on the site, with the exception of the maintenance of traididonal ungulate migration routes. Small-mammal surveys were conducted during the summer of 1991 by Ebasco Services Inc. 2. Fort St. Wain Nuclear Generating Station- The Public Service Company established the Fort St. Wain Nuclear Generating Station in about 1965 (Ted Borst pers. comm.). Land associated with the Station consists of approximately 2300 acres that has received a very low level of human activity and development since station establishment. Public use is low because there are no important fisheries in the nearby water resources (i.e., St. Vrain Creek and S. Platte River), and no important aesthetic resources in the area. Occasionally, company personnel hunt near a pond at the north end of the buffer zone. Leasing of lands for FhW Saws S y Pion FLS,Inc �n M�'16 1�1