Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout(23) Wildlife Habitat Narrative 03-02-2021Section 23 – Wildlife Habitat Narrative Bridger Meadows Neighborhood Development PUD Preliminary Plan Application Subdivision Preliminary Plat Application Wildlife Habitat Narrative Section 38.220.030.13 – Describe key wildlife habitat issues associated with the proposed subdivision. Years ago, the Bridger Meadows property was traversed diagonally by a spur rail of the Union Pacific- St Paul Rail line. The old rail bed is still a prominent feature on the landscape. Since the 1960’s the proposed development area for the Bridger Meadows project was used for hay production and intensely grazed by livestock. In the last 20 years the Bridger Meadows property had been used by the homeless community. This year 4 homeless camps, several illegal hunting blinds along with approximately 2 tons of household and construction debris was removed from the Bridger Meadows property. These camps were located in core bedding and browsing areas frequented by white tail deer, mule deer and moose. Needless to say, wildlife habitat on this property and lands surrounding the property have been severely impacted by human activity over the past 100 years. A number of bird species from Owls, Hawks, along with a variety of waterfowl and song birds have been observed on the property. The pond on the property is somewhat eutrophic and shallow and therefore does not provide great habitat for fish. Small fur bearing mammals along with large carnivorous mammals have not been seen on the property. The absence of these animals can most likely be attributed to the dense trail system that surrounds the property. This dense trail system located on city parkland surrounding the subject site has severely fragmented riparian wildlife habitat. In observation of this situation approximately 60.2% 61% of the Bridger Meadows property will be set aside as a wildlife habitat refuge. A community playground and picnic area with observation opportunity is proposed in the southeast corner of the property adjacent to the proposed wildlife habitat. This will provide an opportunity to view wildlife from a safe distance. The community area will serve as an educational opportunity. It is hoped that the wildlife refuge will provide a secure bedding, breeding and browsing area for large ungulates. In the absence of homeless encampments and illegal hunting blinds it is also hoped that this refuge will again support populations of small fur bearing mammals, larger coniferous mammals and a variety of different bird species. Approximately 80% Over 90 percent of the project will be constructed on previously used agricultural production and grazing land. Every effort will be taken to minimize impact to the surrounding environment prior to and post construction. A pre-construction SWPPP plan will be completed and adhere to during construction to assist with keeping a 100% of the hydrology within the confines of the project footprint. BMP’s and LID’s will be incorporated into the projects design to facilitate good drainage and superior landscaping, beneficial to wildlife. In an effort to protect the wildlife habitat boundary signage will be placed at peripheral areas of the subject site to instruct trail users to stay on designated trails and to keep their dogs leashed at all times. Bridger Meadows Wildlife Habitat Narrative March 3, 2021 Page 2 In Summary: a. Species Large ungulates such as white tail deer, moose and possibly mule deer inhabit the property during different seasons. Smaller mammals consisting of squirrels, racoons, rabbits, skunks, beavers, mink and possibly otters frequent the property periodically. Avian species notably a variety of raptors, songbirds, wading birds, upland birds, waterfowl, and cranes have been viewed on the Bridger Meadows property. b. Critical areas The applicant has proposed creating a 7.15 7.20 -acre wildlife refuge on the 11.87-acre Bridger Meadows property. Due to the dense vegetation of this area, accessibility to trail users would be very difficult. Thus, the development limits human intrusion to the perimeter areas. The lack of human intrusion and accessibility allows wildlife a secure place to shelter and feed. The contiguous location of this wildlife habitat area with the existing 47-acre Glen Lake Rotary Park could be considered the highest and best use for this 7.15 7.20 acres as it essentially extends the natural setting of the existing park. Due to the urban location of the proposed subdivision, boundaries known critical, significant wildlife areas such as big game winter range and habitat for rare or endangered species do not exist on the subject property. c. Pets/human activity Generally, the development has been designed to limit prohibit pets and restrict human activity within the wildlife refuge. Designated trails and sidewalks will be placed near the proposed residential homesites to accommodate recreation and routes of travel for subdivision dwellers and visitors. A play area and small community gathering area is proposed in the southeast corner of the property area at the southeastern edge southeast of the wildlife refuge. This is accessed off the emergency access to Shady Glen Lane. Protective covenants for the developed property will place restrictions, limitations and regulations on all activities that may have any adverse effect on indigenous wildlife, native plants and fisheries. Protective covenants outlining restrictions, limitations and regulations may exceed city standards for this type of development. d. Public access The Story Mill Spur trail adjoins the property along its northern and eastern boundary and intersects the Bridger Creek Subdivision park trail at the properties’ northeast corner. The Bridger Creek Subdivision park trail traverses the Bridger Meadows properties’ northern property line. This trail eventually intersects with a number of trails in the 47.0-acre Glen Lake Rotary Park west of the subject site. The applicant has included connections to the surrounding trails to encourage connectivity to the local environment and allow through passage. The connections provide access to the Bridger Golf Course Partners Combined Park/Open Space trail which borders the Bridger Meadows property to the north and east as well as providing access to Glen Lakes Rotary Park to the west. Protective covenants outlining restrictions, limitations and regulations may exceed city standards for this type of development. While the trails are a wonderful amenity for city residents and visitors, the presence of trail users and their pets often disrupt wildlife. The Bridger Meadows Wildlife Refuge will provide a secure area where wildlife can seek refuge away from trail users and their pets. e. Protective measures Bridger Meadows Wildlife Habitat Narrative March 3, 2021 Page 3 The critical areas onsite will be preserved by avoidance. The proposed site improvements are clustered away from the critical areas of the property. Surface water impacting the subject sites aspen groves will be managed and utilized to enhance ecological features of the subject site’s drainage pond and surrounding wetlands. Shady Glen Lane will be located away from wetland and core habitat areas of the site. It is expected that protective covenants outlining restrictions, limitations and regulations may exceed city standards for this type of development. f. Impact Documentation. Natural resource enhancement activities have already begun at the Bridger Meadows project site. Restoration work began by removing approximately 21 cubic yards of trash and debris. Most of the debris that was removed consisted of household trash found at several homeless camps on the property. Disturbed areas have been regraded and seeded with a wetland/riparian seed mix. Trash that could not be recycled was taken to a local licensed landfill for disposal. Areas disturbed during construction will be reclaimed through plantings of diverse riparian vegetation consisting of riparian grasses, forbs, scrub/shrubs, and trees that tolerate saturated to semi-saturated soil conditions. Every effort will be made to plant as many species of vegetation characteristic to the area to help provide structural diversity for migratory songbirds and birds of prey. Other planted species will provide shelter and browse sources for other wildlife.