1997-06-13_REPORT - M1981302 (18)

Home Browse Search

influence the economies of local municipalities. However, the past status of the land as a nuclear plant buffer zone may be of some public concern. 3. City of Boulder Open Space: Tracy Collins parcel- The Tracy Collins parcel may be of particular public concern. The City of Boulder Open Space Department leases this land to private citizens for agricultural purposes (i.e., summer grazing). These purposes may not be compatible with preserving critical habitat of Z.h.preblei, and some discussion about this issue may ensue. Overall, the public supports the efforts of the Open Space Department, so preservation of subspecies habitat may be viewed as a positive goal by the majority of citizens. 4. City of Boulder Open Space: VanVleet parcel- Similarly, the VanVleet parcel is leased for agricultural purposes (hayfield and winter pasture). These purposes may or may not be compatible with preserving critical habitat of Z. h.preblei, and some discussion about this issue may ensue. Overall, the public supports the efforts of the Open Space Department, so preservation of subspecies habitat may be viewed as a positive goal by the majority of citizens. 4. Conservation/recovery recommendations A. General conservation recommendations 1. Recommendations regarding present or anticipated activities a. Rocky Flats Plant- The maintenance of current conditions, which effectively protect the local Z. h.preblei from disturbances such as development and high human usage, is perceived to be adequate protection. If the U.S. Department of Energy is planning on selling the buffer zone land to commercial developers, it is recommended that the portion of land consisting of critical habitat be protected or preserved in some way, such as transferring the land to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or • other appropriate federal or state agency. This coupled with the immediate formulation of a formal land management plan that specifically cites moist, lowland habitat (i.e., Woman Creek) as critical habitat would effectively protect the subspecies and its habitat. b. Fort St. Vrain Nuclear Generating Station-The conversion of the Fort SL Vmin plant to a natural gas fired plant should not adversely impact the subspecies in any way. However, the continuation of heavy grazing activity along moist, lowland habitats (i.e., irrigation canal flowing from pond at north end of the buffer zone land, or other irrigation canals) may adversely impact Z. h. preblei, if a population still exists there. It is recommended that further five-trapping studies occur on station lands to determine the existence of subspecies populations. If such populations are found, it is recommended that a buffer strip, for instance 400 feet wide, be centered along neighboring irrigation canals to prevent grazing and livestock access. This action would allow the growth and maintenance of dense, tall, grassy vegetation during the annual activity period of this subspecies. Fina1 s,a.spy Pmccr B6,toc Mad,?a.1993 77