HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.0 BOCC Staff Report 02.04.2002REQUEST:
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PROJECT INFORMATION AND STAFF COMMENTS
A request for review of a Conditional Use Permit to
allow timber harvest along the escarpment and talus
slopes, and a Special Use Permit to allow timber
harvest along gentle slopes and on the lower valley
floor.
APPLICANT: Edward Roszyk
LOCATION:
SITE DATA:
ACCESS:
WATER:
Located along the Left Fork of Carr Creek, north of
Parachute & DeBeque, Colorado.
Proposed timber harvest covers approximately 40
acres of the 2,510 acre property.
Private easement to County Road 207 (Carr Creek)
to County Road 204 (Roan Creek) to I-70.
None
SEWER: None
EXISTING ZONING: R/L Resource Lands: Escarpment, Talus Slopes,
Gentle Slopes/Lower Valley Floor
SITE DESCRIPTION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSAL
All the following information in Section 1 of this report is a summary of
the information found within the application, and statements made by
the applicant:
Site Description: The request is for approval of a timber harvest plan prepared by Kelly
Rogers of the Colorado State Forest Service in June of 2001. The harvest area lies within
approximately 40 acres of Douglas -fir timber stands in the Carr Creek and Bear Gulch
drainages. The property has not been recently surveyed and fencing does not entirely
delineate the property boundaries. Approximately 25 miles of County maintained gravel
and asphalt roads serve the property. The remaining 3 miles of road are on private or
BLM land. Elevation ranges from 6,400 to 7,600 feet. Topography ranges from fairly
level, to a series of rolling benches, to steeply sloping hillsides and cliffs. The proposed
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harvest area lies along the bench and toe slope above Bear Gulch and the Left Fork of
Carr Creek. Both intermittent and perennial streams drain the area.
Soils: One major soil type occupies the property: the "Utso-Rock Outcrop complex, 40-
90% slopes". This is a deep and well -drained soil with moderate permeability and low
available water capacity. Runoff is rapid and the erosion hazard is high to very high due
to slope. There are currently no signs of erosion in the harvest area.
WildlifeNegetation: Signs of wildlife on the property include elk, mule deer, black bear,
coyote, porcupine, rabbit, turkey, and small rodents and birds. The DOW's WRTS data
indicates the area serves as summer and winter range for elk, and summer range for deer,
and is home to turkeys. No critical habitat, such as calving or fawning grounds, is
identified. There are no known or threatened endangered plants or animals in the area.
Adjacent landowners, the Altenberns, have been involved with the DOW to re -introduce
the Colorado River Cutthroat Trout into Carr Creek. This species has been identified as a
"species of special concern" in Colorado.
Timber: Aerial photography reveals that about 838 out of 2,500 acres are covered by an
almost pure stand of Rocky Mountain Douglas -Fir, mixed with smaller amounts of pinyon,
juniper, and aspen. The stand is surprisingly young, with an average age of 102 years, is
relatively healthy, and appears to have adequate natural regeneration. The timber is
variable as to stocking size with roughly 3/4 of the total forested area unsuitable for
harvest. The most feasible areas to harvest are those that are covered with continuous,
dense timber located at the toe slope above the Left Fork of Carr Creek, Bear Gulch, and
the steeper terrain above, covering roughly 40 acres.
Proposed Silviculture: The four objectives of the timber harvest are to improve the health
of the forest, create revenue for the landowner, to maintain or improve wildlife habitat
especially for elk, deer, and turkey, and to improve road access into the area. The timber
will be selectively cut, removing the poorer formed trees from all age classes. The
appearance of a mature, high forest will be maintained. Repeating this type of harvest in
15-20 year intervals will maintain a sustained flow of forest products over time.
Proposed Harvest Systems: The timber on 40% or less slopes will be harvested with
conventional rubber tired skidders. A tree shear will be used for felling trees. A tree shear
will be used for felling trees, as well as hand felling. The whole tree will be skidded to
reduce the slash load. While winter logging has resource protection advantages, snow
removal costs and slope constraints may make it infeasible
l4aul,ng system: lhe'ltaul route will be from Inc top of the sale area to CR207 (2.5 dirt
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miles), along CR 207 (4.2 gravel miles), along CR 204 (4.9 gravel miles and 11.8 paved
miles), Mesa County Road 45 (4.5 paved miles) to 1-70, for a total of 27.9 miles. The
applicant states that all roads are adequate for hauling up to the boundary ofthe BLM.
The application states that an existing low water crossings on Carr Creek and the Left
Fork of Carr Creek will be used. The Altenberns, adjacent property owners, had
proposed, and were required, to upgrade the existing Carr Creek Bridge crossing to
handle log truck weight. Staff is unclear as to whether the Altenberns have completed
said improvements yet or not. There may be some opportunity for the two property
owners to share in the costs and benefits of such an upgrade. However, upon further
consultation with the Road and Bridge Department (meeting with Marvin Stephens and
Kraig Kuberry on 12/4/01), it appears that the existing crossing should be adequate to
serve the hauling needs.
The application proposes widening and grading the existing jeep trail to minimum haul
standards (14' wide, 8-15 % grade, dirt road with gravel or shale deposits in areas) for a
length of 2 miles. Approximately 1.2 miles of new road will be constructed to the
minimum standard necessary to remove logs, with very little road base or ditching.
Temporary spur roads and landing areas will be created, and will be rehabilitated by
grading and seeding after the sale is complete. There are 2 intermittent drainages that
should be crossed along the bench above the Left Fork of Carr Creek at right angles to the
streambed, with 18" steel or ADS culverts placed on a 2-4% grade, covered with 1' of dirt
and provided with a rock apron for spillage.
The harvest will amount to about 1,250 to 2,500 tons, or 50-100 truckloads, with hauling
at a rate of 1-2 loads per day for the duration ofthe sale. All loads will be within legal
weight and height limits.
Rehabilitation: The Douglas -fir is expected to regenerate naturally and plentifully, without
any replanting. Landing slash will be piled for burning during favorable conditions. Burn
scars, large landing areas, temporary roads, and well used skid trails may require disking
and re -seeding with grass. The landowner will have to monitor and treat any infestations
of noxious weeds for several years after the sale is completed.
Schedule: The plan is to begin road improvement, harvesting, and hauling operations once
the required haul permits have been obtained. The sale is expected to take one year to
complete. Subsequent sales may occur on the property but they will be made under a
separate project application. Seasonal shut downs are anticipated for Spring runoff
(March -May), and for big game hunting season (October and early November). Heavy
snows typically prohibit logging from January 1 to March. The least damaging times of
year to log and haul are mid winter (November and December) when the ground is frozen
and before snow removal costs become prohibitive. Logging and hauling are proposed
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from sunup to sundown.
II. REVIEW AGENCIES AND PUBLIC COMMENT
This application was sent to the following review agencies/departments:
I. Soil Conservation District: No comment.
2. Town of Parachute: See page 30 . States, "no objections, harvest area minimized by
terrain".
3. Grand Valley Fire Protection District: No comment.
4. Colorado Division of Wildlife: See pagu29a In general, the timber harvest plan
sufficiently addresses concerns for wildlife. Lists some specific comments and concerns.
5. Bureau of Land Management: No comment.
6. Garfield County Road & Bridge: Made verbal comments on 12/4/01. Does not believe the
Carr Creek crossing is in need of any upgrades. The applicant will need to enter into a
standard repair and maintenance agreement with Road and Bridge. No further comment.
7. Garfield County Sheriff: No comment.
8. Garfield County Vegetation Management: No comment.
9. Mesa County: See page 3,9 . The Mesa County land development code applies to part
of the proposed haul route (Mesa County Rd. 45). Hauling 4,500 or more tons within a
one month time frame would require a conference with the Mesa County Public Works
Department, and may trigger certain restrictions. (Garfield County staff notes that the
proposal only contemplates a maximum of 2,500 tons.)
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III. MAJOR ISSUES AND CONCERNS i(-tik CJYww•-e,t,
A. Zoning: The site lies in the R/L Resource Lands zone district. Section 3.10 states that
extraction on the plateau, escarpment, and talus slopes requires a conditional use permit
and that extraction on the gentle slopes/lower valley floor require a special use permit.
Section Section 2.02.30 defines timber cutting as extraction, which is an industrial
operation. All industrial operations must meet the standards set forth in Section 5.03.07
and 5.03.08.
B. Conditional and Special Uses: Conditional Uses are subject to the standards set forth in
Section 5.03 of the Zoning Resolution:
(1)
Utilities adequate to provide water and sanitation service based on accepted
engineering standards and approved by the Environmental Health officer shall either
be in place or shall be constructed in conjunction with the proposed use;
The proposed operation has no need for fixed utilities.
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(2) Street improvements adequate to accommodate traffic volume generated by the
proposed use and to provide safe, convenient access to the use shall either be in
place or shall be constructed in conjunction with the proposed use.
Streets will be improved to the minimum standards for hauling. The application includes an
access permit from the BLM and from Mesa County.
(3)
Design of the proposed use is organized to minimize impact on and from adjacent
uses of land through installation of screen fences or landscape materials on the
periphery of the lot and .by location of intensively utilized areas, access points,
lighting and signs in such a manner as to protect established neighborhood
character.
The logged areas occur in a mostly undeveloped area. The only neighbors in the
immediate area are the BLM and the Scotts, who have already issued an access permit and
an easement, and have not provided further comment. Thus, impacts to neighbors is
expected to be minimal. Proper road design, drainage, and rehabilitation will ensure
minimal water degradation from the project. A streamside management zone (SMZ) will
be maintained for at least a 50' width along all perennial streams. Logging and road
construction have been carefully planned to avoid steep slopes, wet areas, or suspected
unstable soils. Neighbors may be temporarily impacted by increased truck traffic (noise,
dust). Dust will be mitigated with water or dust control chemicals.
C. Industrial Operations: All industrial operations must meet the standards set forth in
,Section 5.03.07 and 5.03.08. Section 5.03.07 states the following:
%) The applicant for a permit for industrial operations .shall prepare and suhmit to the
"laming Director ten (10) copies of an impact statement on the proposed use describing its
location, scope, design and construction schedule, including an explanation of its
operational characteristics. One (1) copy of the impact statement shall be filed with the
County Commissioners by the Planning Director.
Thi- information has been provided.
The impact statement shall address:
(A) Existing lawful use of water through depletion or pollution of surface run-off, stream
flow or ground water;
No water will be used. The watershed value of the treated area is expected to improve with
slightly increased yields immediately following harvest. Proper road design, drainage, and
rehabilitation will ensure minimal water quality degradation. Stream channels will remain
relatively undisturbed with only one point of crossing on Carr Creek and on the Left Fork of
Carr Creek. There are no known indicators of unstable soils. Disturbed areas will be
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promptly revegetated, road drainage systems will be equipped with proper culverts, and
cut/fill slopes will be stabilized.
The impact statement shall address:
(B) Impacts on adjacent land from the generation of vapor, dust, smoke, noise, glare or
vibration, or other emanations;
The applicant does not believe neighbors will he impacted much since it is an entirely
undeveloped area. Hauling may cause an increase in dust and noise. Dust will be controlled
with water or dust control chemicals. Limiting the number of loads per day and/or the speed
on haul trucks may he necessary.
The impact statement shall address:
r Impacts on wildlife and domestic animals through the creation of hazardous
attractions, alteration of existing native vegetation, blockade of,n'n-ration roura' use
patterns or other disruptions;
One ofthe objectives ofthe timber harvest is to maintain or improve wildlife habitat. While
there may be some temporary displacement, understory vegetation is expected to increase and
provide more forage. No logging or hauling will occur during the big game archery or rifle
hunting seasons. Nesting sites for raptors will be identified prior to harvest, and will be
protected from damage. In addition, an average of 6 dead trees per acre will be left standing.
The application does not specifically address the impacts on existing native vegetation. This
is a significant issue in light ofthe recent reports completed by the Colorado Natural Heritage
Program. Two studies were undertaken with the support of Garfield County, who acted as a
pass through agency for GOCO grant monies, The reports are titled: Survey of Critical
Biological Resource (the "bio survery") and Survey of Critical Biological Resources Volume
II Wetland and Riparian Areas (the "wetland survey"). The bio survey shows that the subject
property is ranked as "B2" which is an area of very high conservation significance. The
report calls out significant concerns about the 4A ridge area where this property is located
(see attached, page ). The wetland survey also identifies the property as lying within
an area designated"B2": :very high conservation significance. In all fairness to the applicant,
these reports are so recently completed that they have not been specifically adopted into any
regulations, nor have they been posted on the County website or made widely available, nor
has Garfield County enacted any new conservation policies. For these reasons, and due to the
relatively small scope of the logging operation, staff strongly encourages the applicant to
continue to be good stewards of the land, and to undertake conservation measures on the
property to ensure the continued health and biological diversity of the area. The Board of
County Commissioners may find that in order to protect the existing native vegetation, and
ensure adherence to section 5.03.07 (C), an additional condition of approval should be
crafted.
The impact statement shall address:
(D) Affirmatively show the impacts of truck and automobile traffic to and from such uses and
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their impacts to areas in the County;
Hauling may cause an increase in dust and noise. Dust will be controlled with water or dust
control chemicals. Limiting the number of loads per day and/or the speed on haul trucks may
be necessary.
The impact statement shall address:
(E) That sufficient distances shall separate such use from abutting property
which might otherwise be damaged by operations of the proposed use(s);
The nearest permanent residence is located more than one mile away.
The impact statement shall address:
(F) Mitigation measures proposed for all of the foregoing impacts identified and
for the standards identified in Section 5.03.08 of this Resolution
(2) Permits may he granted for those uses with provisions that provide adequate
mitigation for the following:
(A) A plan for site rehabilitation must be approved by the County Commissioners
before a permit for conditional or special use will he issued;
The timber harvest plan states that spontaneous regeneration of vegetation is expected to
rehabilitate the site. Skid roads and landings planned for closure .will be disked and seeded
with grass. Culverts will be placed to prevent erosion as necessary and cut/fill slopes will be
stabilized.
(B) The County Commissioners may require security before a permit for special or
conditional use is issued, if required. The applicant shall furnish evidence of a bank
commitment of credit, bond, certified check or other security deemed acceptable by the
County Commissioners in the amount calculated by the County Commissioners to secure the
execution of the site rehabilitation plan in workmanlike manner and in accordance with the
specifications and construction schedule established or approved by the County
Commissioners. Such commitments, bonds or check shall be payable to and held by the
County Commissioners, -
Security for possible damage to County Roads, dust control, noxious weed management, and
for site rehabilitation is needed. In the past Garfield County has required a minimum separate
$100,000 bond for each permit area. The bond can specifically reference the Road and
Bridge agreement, the approved vegetation and rehabilitation plan, and the timber harvest
plan as needed to provide a level of specificity.
(C)Impacts ,set forth in the impact .statement and compliance with the standards contained in
Section 5.03.08 of this Resolution. (A. 93-061)
Section 5.03.08 states the following:
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Industrial Performance Standards: All industrial operations in the County shall comply with
applicable County, State, and Federal regulations regulating water, air and noise pollution
and shall not be conducted in a manner constituting a public nuisance or hazard.
Operations shall he conducted in such a manner as to minimize heat, dust, smoke, vibration,
glare and odor and all other undesirable environmental effects beyond the boundaries of the
property in which such uses are located, in accord with the following standards;
(1) Volume of sound generated shall comply with the standards set forth in the
Colorado Revised Statutes at the time any new application is made. (A. 93-061)
The application does not contain a written statement to this effect, although it does state that
the nearest residence is over 1 mile away. All noise generated must comply with the state
statute.
Vibration generated: every use shall he so operated that the ground vibration
inherently and recurrently generated is not perceptible, without instruments, at any
point of any boundary line of the property on which the use is located;
The application does not contain a written statement to this effect, although staffexpects the
impacts to be minimal.
(3)
Emissions of smoke and particulate matter: every use shall be operated so as
to comply with all Federal, State and County air quality laws, regulations and
standards;
The application does not contain a written statement to this effect, although staff expects
the impacts to be minimal.
(4) Emission of heat, glare, radiation and fumes: every use shall be so operated
that it does not emit heat, glare, radiation or fumes which substantially
interfere with the existing use of adjoining property or which constitutes a
public nuisance or hazard. Flaring of gases, aircraft warning signals,
reflective painting of storage tanks, or other such operations which may be
required by law as safety or air pollution control measures shall be exempted
from this provision:
The application does not contain a written statement to this effect, although staffexpects the
impacts to be minimal..
D. Access: Section 5.03.12 of the Garfield County Zoning Resolution states:
All conditional uses and special uses must be provided with access routes of adequate
design to accommodate traffic volume generated by the proposed use and to provide
safe, convenient access for the use constructed in conjunction to the proposed use. The
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minimum design standards shall be the Garfield County Road Specifications.
The application contains written consent from Mesa County, the BLM, and the adjacent
private property owner to haul on their roads. The applicant must comply with the
conditions of any permits or easements, and must not exceed legal weight limits. The
applicant will also need to secure any necessary permits from the Road & Bridge
Department, post an adequate bond, and enter into a specific agreement concerning road
maintenance and improvements, as required.
E. Fire Protection: The area does not lie in a fire district. In the event of a fire, the DeBeque
fire department would likely respond first. The Garfield County Sheriff is ultimately
responsible for emergency response. The entire parcel is within 1 mile of BLM land, and
thus within a mutual aid zone. The timber sale agreement states that contractors working
on the property are liable for the cost of suppressing any wildfire that they start. The
harvest plan states that chainsaws will be equipped with spark arrestors. AH motorized
equipment will be equipped with one shovel and one fire extinguisher.
F. Hours of Operation: The proposed hours of operation are from sunup to sundown,
presumably 7 days per week. It has been the County's policy to limit the hours of
operation and hauling to 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (or 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for helicopters), Monday
through Friday, in order to minimize impacts to neighbors.
G. Enforcement: The timber harvest plan states that enforcement of the on-site logging
operations will be the responsibility of the landowner, or the sale administrator, and that
enforcement of hauling permits will be the responsibility of the appropriate jurisdictional
agency. The applicant should be aware that the Board of County Commissioners, or their
designee, is authorized to inspect the area for compliance with the timber harvest plan, the
special and conditional use permits, and the hauling permits, and shall enforce the plan and
permits as necessary.
H. Staff Comments: In general, staff finds the application and timber harvest plan to be
detailed and well written. As long as the plan is adhered to, the staff recommendations are
followed, and the applicant practices good steward conservation practices on the property,
the plan can be found to be in the best interest of the health, safety, morals, convenience,
order, prosperity and welfare of the citizens of Garfield County. In order to be consistent
and fair to all timber harvesters in the area, staff has included some typical conditions of
approval from past permits.
IV. SUGGESTED FINDINGS
1. That proper public notice was provided as required for the hearing before the Board of
County Commissioners.
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2. That the hearing before the Board of County Commissioners was extensive and complete,
that all pertinent facts, matters and issues were submitted and that all interested parties
were heard at that meeting.
3. That for the above stated and other reasons, the proposed special and conditional use
permits have been shown to be in the best interest of the health, safety, morals,
convenience, order, prosperity and welfare of the citizens of Garfield County.
4. That the application is in conformance with the Garfield County Zoning Resolution of
1978, as amended.
V. RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends APPROVAL of the application for a conditional and a special use
permit with the following conditions on each permit:
1. That all representations made by the applicant in the application, timber harvest plan, or at
the public hearing shall be conditions of approval, unless specified otherwise by the Board
of County Commissioners. Said representations include, but are not limited to:
a) Dust will be controlled with water or dust control chemicals so that it does not
become a nuisance. If these are not sufficient means of dust control, the number of
truck trips per day, and the speed of the trucks, shall be reduced as necessary.
b) The appearance ofa mature, high forest will be maintained.
c) If slopes of 50+% are harvested, they shall be done so with helicopters.
d) A maximum of 2,500 tons will be harvested using selective cutting methods.
e) Intermittent drainages shall be crossed at right angles, with 18" steel or ADS
culverts placed on a 2-4% grade, covered with at least l' of dirt, and provided with a
rock apron for spillage.
f) Landing slash will be burned during favorable conditions, with the proper permits.
Burn areas and skid trails will be disked and re -seeded. Culverts will be placed to
prevent erosion along abandoned roads. Cut/fill slopes will be stabilized. Noxious
weeds will be monitored and treated.
g) Subsequent sales will obtain the appropriate new or expanded permits.
h) All operations will cease during spring run-off (typically March -May) and during
big game hunting season (Septmber to early November). Nesting sites for raptors will
be identified prior to harvest, and will be protected from damage. In addition, an
average of 6 dead trees per acre will be left standing.
i) Chainsaws shall be equipped with spark arrestors and all motorized equipment
shall carry at least one shovel and one fire extinguisher;
That roads shall be maintained adequately. The applicant shall work with the Garfield
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County Road & Bridge Department to create a road maintenance agreement. Said
agreement must be approved by the Board of County Commissioners prior to issuance of
any conditional or special use permit;
3. That a weed control program shall be created and submitted to the Garfield County
Vegetation Manager for approval prior to issuance of any permits. The approved program
shall be implemented on both County (specifically CR 204 and CR 207) and private roads;
That all timber hauling on County Roads shall occur Monday through Friday, between the
hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., shall not exceed 10 loads per day, and shall be within legal weight
limits. That any helicopter hauling will only occur between the hours of 7 a. m. to 5 p. m.,
Monday through Friday.
5. That the forest management practices will be monitored for compliance with the Douglas Fir
timber harvesting plans by a consultant agreed upon by the Board ofCounty Commissioners
and the applicant, and paid for by the applicant.
6. That a bond of $100,000.00 will be placed with Garfield County to be used for the repair
of CR 204 and CR 207 due to damage attributable to the applicant's activities, for
mitigation of impacts, for implementing rehabilitation of the site, and for controlling
noxious weeds. The bond can specifically reference the Road and Bridge agreement, the
approved vegetation and rehabilitation plan, and the timber harvest plan as needed to
provide a level of specificity. The bond shall be valid for the period of time that the
applicant is actively logging on their property. The $100,000.00 bond shall be issued
solely for the Roszyk project, and not cover any other operations;
7. That the Special and Conditional Use Permits are subject to review for compliance or
noncompliance with the timber harvest plans and the conditions placed on the permits. The
applicant will be required to submit a report one year from the date of issuance of the
special and conditional use permits indicating the measures taken to comply with the
performance requirements of the permit. The Board of County Commissioners will review
the report in a public meeting within 30 days of receipt of the report and may determine
that a public hearing is necessary to consider suspension of the permit or that conditions of
approval must be met before additional activities can occur on the property;
8. That this conditional approval shall be valid until 12/10/12. if the applicant fails to meet
the conditions by 1.2L1 -0102 -rand subsequently the conditional and special use permits are
never issued, the approval shall automatically expire, unless an extension is granted by the
Board of County Commissioners V (��
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9. That the volume of sound generated shall comply with the standards set forth in the
Colorado Revised Statutes at the time the application was approved
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10. That the ground vibration inherently and recurrently generated is not perceptible, without
instruments, at any point of any boundary line of the property on which the use is located;
11. That emissions of smoke and particulate matter shall comply with all Federal, State
and County air quality laws, regulations and standards;
12. That the following shall not be emitted: heat, glare, radiation or fumes which
substantially interfere with the existing use of adjoining property or which constitutes
a public nuisance or hazard. Flaring of gases, aircraft warning signals, reflective
painting of storage tanks, or other such operations which may be required by law as
safety or air pollution control measures shall be exempted from this provision.
13. That the applicant shall comply with the BLM and Mesa County access permits, and
shall obtain and comply with any other necessary permits.
14. That the applicant, per the Division of Wildlife comments in their review letter dated
11/23/01, shall reduce the potential for human/bear conflicts by placing and utilizing
"bear proof' trash containers at work-site/camping locations; That workers affiliated
with the project shall be advised not to feed bears, whether intentional or not.
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CNHP Potential Conservation Areas in Garfield County
Colorado Natural Heritage Program
Colorado State University'`
254 General Services Bldg
Fort Collins, CO 80523 w,.p
Map Date: 20 March 2001
&I5 Dept ael
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Disclaimer
The data are provided on an as -is,
as -available basis without
warrantees of any kind,
or implied, including (but t not
limited to warranties of
merchantability, fitness for a
cular and non -
i . CNIV, Colorado
State University and the State of
Colorado further expressly
disclaim any warranty that the
data are error -free or current as
of the date supplied.
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4A Ridge
Potential Conservation Area
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The Colorado Natural Heritage Program
Colorado State University -
254 General Services Bldg
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Fort Collins, CO 80523
Fax: (970) 491-3349
map date: 15 December 2000
vintage of data: 01 December 2000
67.5 department i t
PCA Boundary
U. S.G.S. 30x601vinute Quadrangles'
Grand Junction, 39108-A1
Douglas Pass. 39108-L1
'Digital Raster Graphics (DRGs) produced
by the U. S. Geological Survey, 1996
Location in Project Area
4A Ridge
Potential Conservation Area
Biodiversity Rank: B2 Very high biodiversity significance
Protection Urgency Rank: P3 Moderate urgency. Although there is a definable threat
to the area, it is unknown when it will affect the occurrence.
Management Urgency Rank: M3 Ongoing, recurrent management action would help to
maintain the current quality of element occurrences.
Location: Approximately thirty miles north of Grand Junction, Colorado. Seven miles
south of the Rio Blanco county line and 27 miles east of the Utah border.
Legal Description: U.S.G.S. 7.5 minute quadrangle: Henderson Ridge, Desert Gulch,
Brushy Point, Razorback Ridge, Calf Canyon. T4S R100W S32; T5S R99W S19,20,28-
34; T5S R100W S3-5, 9-15, 24-27, 34-36; T6S R99W S18, 19; T6S R100W S1-17, 21-
24
Size: 16,907 acres
Elevation: 6,400 to 8,700 feet
General Description: The 4A Ridge PCA occupies the top and steep shale slopes of 4A
Ridge, Horse Ridge, Henderson Ridge, Brush Mountain, and Bear Point, along with the
riparian area of the Left Fork of Carr Creek.
The site contains a mosaic of several habitats that form a repeating pattern
throughout the Roan Plateau. South facing slopes with barren scree of the Green River
formation support several rare plants that are endemic to this habitat. North facing slopes,
• while geologically similar, retain more moisture and support heavier vegetation. The
riparian complex includes the stream in the valley bottoms and tributary drainages that
often begin at springs.
The steep south facing slopes are essentially barren, but in some places support a
sparse cover of mountain shrubs, grasses and forbs, and scattered Douglas fir
(Pseudotsuga menziesii) and Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii). Associated plant
species in this habitat include Gambel's oak (Quercus gambelii), rock spirea (Holodiscus
dumosus), mat penstemon (Penstemon caespitosus), pincushion (Chaenactis douglasii),
Utah serviceberry (Amelanchier utahensis), snowberry (Symphoricarpos rotundifolius),
Indian rice grass (Oryzopsis hymenoides) and Colorado bedstraw (Galium coloradense).
Utah fescue (Argillochloa dasyclada) was found on the less steep areas (17% slopes),
while the sun -loving meadowrue (Thalictrum heliophilum) and Piceance bladderpod
(Lesquerella parviflora) were located on the very steep (44%) slopes.
Brush Mountain is a northwest -southeast trending ridge between Carr Creek on
the southwest and Brush Creek on the northeast. A dirt road runs along the top of the
ridge through a sagebrush-snowberry shrubland which is grazed by cattle and has several
•
•
stock ponds. The habitat for three rare plants is found along the upper part of the cliffs
on the southeast side of the ridge, on steep barren shale slopes of the Green River
formation. This part of the mountain is too steep for cattle, and is undisturbed except for
natural erosion. The sparse vegetation on the shale slopes includes scattered Douglas fir,
Cainville thistle (Cirsium calcareum), mat penstemon (Penstemon caespitosus), Colorado
bedstraw (Galium coloradense), rock spirea (Holodiscus dumosus), Oregon grape
(Mahonia repens), and snowbery (Symphoricarpos rotundifolius).
Several springs emerge at the top of unnamed side -drainages. These springs,
many of which have been developed for livestock use, eventually drain into Bear Gulch
and Left Fork Carr Creek. The hanging garden sullivantia (Sullivantia hapemanii var.
purpusii) occupies crevices of several of these calcareous seeps. Oil shale columbine
(Aquilegia barnebyi) was associated with the sullivantia at some of these seeps.
Below Bear Point, a tributary of Carr Creek enters a narrow canyon, with seeping vertical
walls and ledges of thin layered shale that support a luxurious growth of the globally
vulnerable hanging garden sullivantia (Sullivantia hapemannii var. purpusii). The moist
canyon bottom has a diverse assemblage of plants, including chiming bells (Mertensia
ciliata), Colorado columbine (Aquilegia coerulea), sweet cicely (Osmorhiza
depauperata), butterweed groundsel (Senecio serra), whitestem gooseberry (Ribes
inerme), baneberry (Actaea rubra), little ricegrass (Oryzopsis micrantha), smallwing
sedge (Carex microptera), willow herb (Epilobium hornemannii), and stinging nettles
(Urtica gracilis), along with a rich assortment of liverworts and mosses. The cool, north -
facing hillside above the stream is forested with Douglas fir and subalpine fir, while the
south facing slope is sparsely vegetated shale of the Green River formation. Piceance
bladderpod (Lesquerella parviflora) and sun -loving meadowrue (Thalictrum heliophilum)
are found on the steep, dry, south -facing slopes. These hillsides have scattered Douglas
fir, and a plant species composition that is typical of the shale slopes in the area,
including rock spirea (Holodiscus dumosus), Colorado bedstraw (Galium coloradense),
and Indian rice grass (Oryzopsis hymenoides).
The site contains the narrow riparian area of Left Fork Carr Creek, which flows
within a wide valley. The riparian area is dense with narrowleaf cottonwood (Populus
angustifolia), Douglas fir, skunkbrush (Rhus trilobata), chokecherry (Prunus virginiana),
and hawthorn (Crataegus rivularis). Understory species include Oregon grape (Mahonia
repens) and sweet cicely (Osmorhiza depauperata). Hydrological processes are mostly
intact but development of springs has likely increased erosion, altered plant species
composition, and altered flow along the springbrooks.
Biodiversity comments: This PCA supports seventeen occurrences of five rare plant
species, including one excellent (A ranked) and three good (B ranked) occurrences of
Piceance bladderpod, a globally imperiled (G2S2) plant. Three other plants that are
endemic to the Green River shale, Arapien stickleaf, sun loving meadowrue and Utah
fescue, are found on the steep shale slopes in the site. Hanging garden sullivantia
occupies at least four seeps that feed the headwaters of Carr Creek.
The Piceance bladderpod occurrences consisted of over 4,000 estimated
individuals. Piceance Bladderpod is a Colorado endemic known only from Garfield and
Rio Blanco counties, and one location in Mesa County. It is restricted to shale barrens of
the Green River Formation.
ment occurrences at the 4A Ridge PCA.
Element
Common Name
Global
Rank
State
Rank
Federal
Status
State
Status
Federal
Sensitive
EO
Rank*
Plants
Lesquerella
parviflora
Piceance
bladderpod
G2G3
S2S3
BLM
A
Lesquerella
parviflora
Piceance
bladderpod
G2G3
S2S3
BLM
B
Lesquerella
parviflora
Piceance
bladderpod
G2G3
S2S3
BLM
B
Lesquerella
parviflora
Piceance
bladderpod
G2G3
S2S3
BLM
B
Lesquerella
par i ora
Piceance
bladderpod
Arapien stickleaf
G2G3
G3 .
S2S3
S3
BLM
BLM
C
B
Nuttallia argillosa
Thalictrum
heliophilum
Sun loving
meadowrue
G3
S3
A
Thalictrum
heliophilum
Sun loving
meadowrue
G3
S3
A
Thalictrum
heliophilum
Sun loving
meadowrue
G3
S3
B
Thalictrum
heliophilum
Sun loving
meadowrue
G3
S3
B
Thalictrum
heliophilum
Sun loving
meadowrue
G3
S3
B
Argillochloa
dasyclada
Utah fescue
G3
S3
C
Argillochloa
dasyclada
Utah fescue
G3
S3
E
Sullivantia
hapemannii ssp.
purpusii
Hanging garden
sullivantia
G3T3
S3
E
Sullivantia
hapemanii var.
purpusii
Hanging garden
sullivantia
G3T3
S3
E
Sullivantia
hapemanii var.
purpusii
Hanging garden
sullivantia
G3T3
S3
E
Sullivantia
hapemanii var.
purpusii
Hanging garden
sullivantia
G3T3
S3
E
.
Plant Communities
Populus
angustifolia/Rhus
trilobata
Narrowleaf
cottonwood/skunk
brush riparian
forest
G3
S3
A
*EO Rank is "Element Occurrence" Rank
** Bold type indicates an element occurrence upon which the PCA rank in based.
•
•
•
Arapien stickleaf is known from two distinct and widely separated regions:
central Utah and west -central Colorado. Its range is only about 30 square miles in
Colorado, where it may be locally common. The 21 documented occurrences in
Colorado all are found on Green River shale on the Roan Plateau in Garfield County.
The sun -loving meadowrue grows on sparsely vegetated, steep shale talus slopes
of the Green River Formation. It is restricted to Colorado, in Garfield, Mesa and Rio
Blanco counties, with 36 known occurrences and approximately 130,000 individuals.
Utah fescue is restricted to Colorado and Utah. Of the 85 occurrences known in
Colorado, 37 are in Garfield County, 57 in Rio Blanco County, and one in Mesa County.
Hanging garden sullivantia grows on moist cliff faces (hanging gardens). The
species is endemic to Colorado, in Garfield, Gunnison, Montrose, Pitkin, and Rio Blanco
counties, where there are 45 documented occurrences and approximately 40,000
individuals.
This site also harbors one of the best occurrences of the globally vulnerable
narrowleaf cottonwood/skunkbrush riparian forest that was observed in Garfield county.
There are relatively few disturbances to this occurrence and although narrow in width, it
is almost 2 continuous miles in length.
Boundary Justification: The boundary is drawn to include the area that supports the
long-term survival of the rare plants that occur on the steep shale slopes of 4A Ridge and
Henderson Ridge. Apparently unoccupied but similar habitat between the occurrences is
included to allow for movement or expansion of the populations over time as landslides
open up new sites, and existing sites become more heavily vegetated. The site
boundaries also include the Left Fork of Carr Creek. The area important to maintain this
high quality riparian area encompasses the springs and small side drainages on the
adjacent slopes, and overlaps the habitat of the rare shale endemic plants. This upland
area, encompassing a major part of the hydrological input to the creek, is critical to the
natural hydrological processes, such as periodic flooding and subsequent dynamic
changes in plant community distribution, which are vital to the viability of this riparian
system.
Protection Rank Comments: This PCA is located on both BLM and private lands. No
threats to the rare plants were noted during the survey. However, future activities such as
oil shale or natural gas extraction could impact the plants. Development on BLM would
require an Environmental Analysis (EA), at which time presence of BLM sensitive
species, including Piceance bladderpod and Arapien stickleaf, would be addressed.
Development is restricted by no surface occupancy (NSO) stipulations on steep slopes of
over 40%, which would apply to many of the rare plant sites. Modifications to locations
of proposed developments can often be made to protect rare plant locations. The private
land has no such protection.
BLM's long range plans include a public access road in Corral Canyon (USDI
1987), although this does not appear to be imminent. An Environmental Assessment
would be required, and should take into account the locations of the riparian plant
community and the hanging garden sullivantia.
•
Management Rank Comments: The rare plant locations in this PCA are probably too
steep for cattle, and therefore not subject to grazing impacts. Few exotic species are
adapted to the rare plant habitat, and none were observed. No current management needs
are known.
There is a road that traverses its way up Left Fork Carr Creek on the adjacent
hillside. No impacts from this road were observed in the riparian area. Potential erosion
and spread of non-native species should be monitored along this road corridor.
Developed springs have greatly altered the composition and structure of wetland
vegetation near these areas. The density and frequency at which cattle use the springs has
caused excessive erosion to these areas. Restoration of these springs should be
considered.
An undocumented report (Lambeth, pers. comm.) of Colorado River cutthroat
trout in pools in the upper reaches of Left Fork Carr Creek should be investigated, and if
high purity trout are found, measures to protect the cutthroat from contamination by
downstream brook trout should be considered.
igt
•
•
Vetland and Riparian Potential Conservation Areas in Garfiel
1 I
S i g�
s . ida Jig
•_'■
iitli
e w
1
.
a
ij:�I4fl!Jfl
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���
�'
4jj
r
•
•
4A Ridge Potential Conservation Area
Biodiversity Rank: B2 Very High Significance. The site supports an excellent
occurrence of a globally imperiled plant.
Protection Urgency Rank: P3 Moderate Urgency. Although there is a definable threat
to the area, it is unknown when it will affect the occurrence.
Management Urgency Rank: M3 Moderate Urgency. Ongoing, recurrent management
action would help to maintain the current quality of element occurrences.
Location: Approximately thirty miles north of Grand Junction, Colorado. Seven miles
south of the Rio Blanco county line and 27 miles east of the Utah border.
Legal Description: U.S.G.S. 7.5 minute quadrangle: Henderson Ridge, Desert Gulch,
Brushy Point, Razorback Ridge, Calf Canyon. T4S R100W S32; T5S R99W S19,20,28-
34; T5S R100W S3-5, 9-15, 24-27, 34-36; T6S R99W S18, 19; T6S R100W S1-17, 21-
24
Size: 16,907 acres
Elevation: 6,400 to 8,700 feet
General Description: The 4A Ridge PCA occupies the top and steep shale slopes of 4A
Ridge, Horse Ridge, Henderson Ridge, Brush Mountain, and Bear Point, along with the
riparian area of the Left Fork of Carr Creek. The site contains a mosaic of several
habitats that form a repeating pattern throughout the Roan Plateau. South facing slopes
with barren scree of the Green River formation support several rare plants that are
endemic to this habitat. North facing slopes, while geologically similar, retain more
moisture and support heavier vegetation. The riparian complex includes the stream in the
valley bottoms and tributary drainages that often begin at springs. The steep south facing
slopes are essentially barren, but in some places support a sparse cover of mountain
shrubs, grasses and forbs, and scattered Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and
Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii). Associated plant species in this habitat include
Gambel's oak (Quercus gambelii), rock spirea (Holodiscus dumosus), mat penstemon
(Penstemon caespitosus), pincushion (Chaenactis douglasii), Utah serviceberry
(Amelanchier utahensis), snowberry (Symphoricarpos rotundifolius), Indian rice grass
(Oryzopsis hymenoides) and Colorado bedstraw (Galium coloradense). Utah fescue
(Argillochloa dasyclada) was found on the less steep areas (17% slopes), while the sun -
loving meadowrue (Thalictrum heliophilum) and Piceance bladderpod (Lesquerella
parviflora) were located on the very steep (44%) slopes.
Brush Mountain is a northwest -southeast trending ridge between Carr Creek on the
southwest and Brush Creek on the northeast. A dirt road runs along the top of the ridge
through a sagebrush-snowberry shrubland which is grazed by cattle and has several stock
ponds. The habitat for three rare plants is found along the upper part of the cliffs on the
• •
southeast side of the ridge, on steep barren shale slopes of the Green River formation.
This part of the mountain is too steep for cattle, and is undisturbed except for natural
erosion. The sparse vegetation on the shale slopes includes scattered Douglas fir,
Cainville thistle (Cirsium calcareum), mat penstemon, Colorado bedstraw, rock spirea,
Oregon grape (Mahonia repens), and snowberry.
Several springs emerge at the top of unnamed side -drainages. These springs, many of
which have been developed for livestock use, eventually drain into Bear Gulch and Left
Fork Carr Creek. The hanging garden sullivantia (Sullivantia hapemanii var. purpusii)
occupies crevices of several of these calcareous seeps. Oil shale columbine (Aquilegia
barnebyi) was associated with the sullivantia at some of these seeps. Below Bear Point, a
tributary of Carr Creek enters a narrow canyon, with seeping vertical walls and ledges of
thin layered shale that support a luxurious growth of the globally vulnerable hanging
garden sullivantia (Sullivantia hapemannii var. purpusii). The moist canyon bottom has a
diverse assemblage of plants, including chiming bells (Mertensia ciliata), Colorado
columbine (Aquilegia coerulea), sweet cicely (Osmorhiza depauperata), butterweed
groundsel (Senecio serra), whitestem gooseberry (Ribes inerme), baneberry (Actaea
rubra), little ricegrass (Oryzopsis micrantha), smallwing sedge (Carex microptera),
willow herb (Epilobium hornemannii), and stinging nettles (Urtica gracilis), along with a
rich assortment of liverworts and mosses. The cool, north -facing hillside above the
stream is forested with Douglas fir and subalpine fir, while the south facing slope is
sparsely vegetated shale of the Green River formation. Piceance bladderpod (Lesquerella
parviflora) and sun -loving meadowrue (Thalictrum heliophilum) are found on the steep,
dry, south -facing slopes. These hillsides have scattered Douglas fir, and a plant species
composition that is typical of the shale slopes in the area, including rock spirea, Colorado
bedstraw, and Indian rice grass.
The site contains the narrow riparian area of Left Fork Carr Creek, which flows within a
wide valley. The riparian area is dense with narrowleaf cottonwood (Populus
angustifolia), Douglas fir, skunkbrush (Rhus trilobata), chokecherry (Prunus virginiana),
and hawthorn (Crataegus rivularis). Understory species include Oregon grape (Mahonia
repens) and sweet cicely (Osmorhiza depauperata). Hydrological processes are mostly
intact but development of springs has likely increased erosion, altered plant species
composition, and altered flow along the springbrooks.
ale
•
•
Table 11. Natural Heritage element occurrences at the 4A Ridge PCA.
Element
Common Name
Global
Rank
State
Rank
Federal
Status
State
Status
Federal
Sensitive
EO
Rank*
Piceance �G2G3
bladderpod
�.�4..,.__
S2S3
_._
BLM
A
Lesquerella
parviflora
Lesquerella
parviflora
Piceance
bladderpod
G2G3
S2S3
BLM
B
Lesquerella
parviflora
Piceance
bladderpod
G2G3
S2S3
BLM
B
Lesquerella
parviflora
Piceance
bladderpod
G2G3
S2S3
BLM
B
Lesquerella
parviflora
Piceance
bladderpod
G2G3
S2S3
BLM
C
Nuttallia argillosa
Arapien stickleaf
G3
S3
BLM
B
Thalictrum
heliophilum
Sun loving
meadowrue
G3
S3
A
Thalictrum
heliophilum
Sun loving
meadowrue
G3
S3
A
Thalictrum
heliophilum
Sun loving
meadowrue
G3
S3
B
Thalictrum
heliophilum
Sun loving
meadowrue
G3
S3
B
Thalictrum
heliophilum
Sun loving
meadowrue
G3
S3
B
Argillochloa
dasyclada
Utah fescue
G3
S3
C
Argillochloa
dasyclada
Utah fescue
G3
S3
E
Sullivantia
hapemannii ssp.
purpusii
Hanging garden
sullivantia
G3T3
S3
E
Sullivantia
hapemanii var.
purpusii
Hanging garden
sullivantia
G3T3
S3
E
Sullivantia
hapemanii var.
purpusii
Hanging garden
sullivantia
G3T3
S3
E
Plant Communities
Populus
angustifolia/Rhus
trilobata
Narrowleaf
cottonwood/skunk
brush riparian
forest
G3
S3
A
*EO Rank is "Element Occurrence" Rank
Biodiversity comments: This PCA supports seventeen occurrences of five rare plant
species, including one excellent (A ranked) and three good (B ranked) occurrences of
Piceance bladderpod, a globally imperiled (G2S2) plant. Three other plants that are
endemic to the Green River shale, Arapien stickleaf, sun loving meadowrue and Utah
fescue, are found on the steep shale slopes in the site. Hanging garden sullivantia
occupies at least four seeps that feed the headwaters of Carr Creek.
• •
The Piceance bladderpod occurrences consisted of over 4,000 estimated individuals.
Piceance Bladderpod is a Colorado endemic known only from Garfield and Rio Blanco
counties, and one location in Mesa County. It is restricted to shale barrens of the Green
River Formation. Arapien stickleaf is known from two distinct and widely separated
regions: central Utah and west -central Colorado. Its range is only about 30 square miles
in Colorado (NatureServe 2000), where it may be locally common. The 21 documented
occurrences in Colorado all are found on Green River shale on the Roan Plateau in
Garfield County. The sun -loving meadowrue grows on sparsely vegetated, steep shale
talus slopes of the Green River Formation. It is restricted to Colorado, in Garfield, Mesa
and Rio Blanco counties, with 36 known occurrences and approximately 130,000
individuals. Utah fescue is restricted to Colorado and Utah. Of the 85 occurrences
known in Colorado, 37 are in Garfield County, 57 in Rio Blanco County, and one in
Mesa County. Hanging garden sullivantia grows on moist cliff faces (hanging gardens).
The species is endemic to Colorado, in Garfield, Gunnison, Montrose, Pitkin, and Rio
Blanco counties, where there are 45 documented occurrences and approximately 40,000
individuals (NatureServe 2000). This site also harbors one of the best occurrences (A -
ranked) of the globally vulnerable narrowleaf cottonwood/skunkbrush riparian forest that
was observed in Garfield County. There are relatively few disturbances to this
occurrence and although narrow in width, it is almost 2 continuous miles in length.
Boundary Justification: The boundary is drawn to include the area that supports the
long-term survival of the rare plants that occur on the steep shale slopes of 4A Ridge and
Henderson Ridge. Apparently unoccupied but similar habitat between the occurrences is
included to allow for movement or expansion of the populations over time as landslides
open up new sites, and existing sites become more heavily vegetated. The site
boundaries also include the Left Fork of Carr Creek. The area important to maintain this
high quality riparian area encompasses the springs and small side drainages on the
adjacent slopes, and overlaps the habitat of the rare shale endemic plants. This upland
area, encompassing a major part of the hydrological input to the creek, is critical to the
natural hydrological processes, such as periodic flooding and subsequent dynamic
changes in plant community distribution, which are vital to the viability of this riparian
system.
Protection Rank Comments: This PCA is located on both BLM and private lands. No
threats to the rare plants were noted during the survey. However, future activities such as
oil shale or natural gas extraction could impact the plants. Development on BLM lands
would require an Environmental Analysis (EA), at which time presence of BLM sensitive
species including Piceance bladderpod and Arapien stickleaf would be addressed.
Development is restricted by no surface occupancy (NSO) stipulations on steep slopes of
over 40%, which would apply to many of the rare plant sites. Modifications to locations
of proposed developments can often be made to protect rare plant locations. The private
land has no such protection. BLM's long range plans include a public access road in
Corral Canyon (USDI 1987), although this does not appear to be imminent. An
Environmental Assessment would be required, and should take into account the locations
of the riparian plant community and the hanging garden sullivantia.
•
•
•
•
•
Management Rank Comments: The rare plant locations in this PCA are probably too
steep for cattle, and therefore not subject to grazing impacts. Few exotic species are
adapted to the rare plant habitat, and none were observed. No current management needs
are known.
There is a road that traverses its way up Left Fork Carr Creek on the adjacent hillside.
No impacts from this road were observed in the riparian area. Potential erosion and
spread of non-native species should be monitored along this road corridor. Developed
springs have greatly altered the composition and structure of wetland vegetation near
these areas. The density and frequency at which cattle use the springs has caused
excessive erosion to these areas. Restoration of these springs should be considered.
An undocumented report (Lambeth, pers. comm.) of Colorado River cutthroat trout in
pools in the upper reaches of Left Fork Carr Creek should be investigated, and if high
purity trout are found, measures to protect the cutthroat from contamination by
downstream brook trout should be considered.
Soils Description: The hanging garden occurs on a rock outcrop (shale) while the moist
bottomland areas are mapped as the Tosca series. Tosca soils are loamy -skeletal, mixed,
frigid, Typic Calciborolls (Soil Conservation Service 1985).
Restoration Potential: Removing stock ponds and other manipulations to the springs
would reestablish historical flow from the springs and thus would restore natural
hydrologic processes.
Wetland Functional Assessment for the PCA: Manipulation of springs and excessive
grazing near these areas has altered hydrological flow, increased erosion and disrupt
nutrient cycles by disrupting the soil surface via hoof action, which might increase
erosion and the rate of certain nutrient transformations in the soil. The riparian area
provides important habitat for numerous birds, mammals, and insects. Production
export/food chain support is likely not functioning to capacity in the seep areas, but is
likely functioning well in the riparian areas.
Aps
•
4A Ridge
Potential Conservation Area
4 K1..
The Colorado Natural Heritage Program
Colorado State University
254 General Services Bldg "_
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Fax: (970) 491-3349
map date: 15 December 2000
vintage of data:01 December 2000
GIS department:ish
PCA Boundary
U.S.G.S. 30x60 Minute Quadrangle*
Douglas Pass, 39108-E1
"Digital Raster Graphics (DRGs) produced
by the U. S. Geological Survey, 1996
Location in Project Area
•
•
N
STATE OF COLORADO
Bill Owens, Governor
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WILDLIFE
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Russell George, Director
6060 Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80216
Telephone: (303) 297-1192
November 23, 2001
Kit Lyon
Garfield County Building and Planning
109 8th Street, Suite 301
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
RE: Roszyk Conditional and Special Use Permits
fteEIVED NOV 2 8 2001
For Wildlife -
For People
Dear Ms. Lyon,
Our staff has reviewed the "Timber Harvest Plan" pertaining to these permits and we find that, in
general, this plan sufficiently addresses our concerns for wildlife. Negative impacts to wildlife should
be minimal provided this timber harvest project is implemented and enforced according to the plan that
was prepared by Kelly Rogers, Assistant District Forester for Colorado State Forest Service. Specific
comments in regard to the "Timber Harvest Plan" are provided as follows:
Page 4- Wildlife
1. There are no threatened or endangered wildlife species known to inhabit this project area.
2. Other forest species include blue grouse, migratory song birds, mountain lion, and pine marten.
3. As stated within the plan, the Colorado River cutthroat trout has been recently restored to the
waters of the adjacent Carr Creek. Colorado River cutthroat trout occur throughout Carr Creek with
limited occurrence within the Left Fork of Carr Creek. The harvest plan adequately addresses the
potential impacts to this fish population by requiring the placement of culverts at stream crossings;
controlling soil erosion; maintaining a 50 foot "streamside management zone"; and by ultimately
limiting stream sedimentation.
4. The Division of Wildlife's "WRIS DATA" (Wildlife Resource Information System) indicates that
the proposed timber harvest area provides escape and thermal cover for elk on year-round basis; but,
does not specifically identify this area as elk caving habitat. The forested areas within this project area
do provide a limited amount of calving habitat for resident elk, primarily during the month of May.
The plan currently states that timbering activities would not take place from March through May due to
the spring run-off season. Negative impacts to calving elk should be minimal.
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Greg E. Walcher, Executive Director
WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Rick Enstrom, Chair • Robert Shoemaker, Vice -Chair • Marianna Raftopoulos, Secretary
Members, Bernard Black • Tom Burke • Philip James • Brad Phelps • Olive Valdez
Ex -Officio Members, Greg E. Walcher and Don Ament
Page 9- V. Schedule of Operations; Page 10.- B. Recreation and Aesthetics
1. The Colorado archery deer/ elk hunting season and the fall black bear hunting season both take place
during the month of September each year. Shutting down the timber harvest activity during September
would accommodate hunters within this area.
Page 10- C. Wildlife Habitat and Range Values
1. Other forest nesting raptor species to be surveyed and accommodated would include northern saw -
whet owl, northern pygmy owl, great horned owl, and spotted owl.
2. This timber harvest project lies within year-round black bear habitat where human/bear conflicts
have recently occurred with local residents of Carr Creek. There is potential for human/bear conflicts
with logging/timbering workers that are working and, or, camping in this area during the timber harvest
operation. The potential for human/bear conflicts within this project area would be greatly reduced by
placing and utilizing "bear proof' trash containers at work-site/camping locations. Furthermore,
workers affiliated with this project should be advised not to feed bears, whether intentional or not, since
this activity is a violation of Colorado Wildlife Commission Regulations and is detrimental to wild
bears. The Division of Wildlife has information on the design and purchase of "bear proof' trash
containers, and, will provide this information to anyone who is interested in preventing conflicts with
bears.
The Division of Wildlife appreciates the opportunity to comment on projects such as these. Please
contact me if you need anything further.
Sincerely,
Steve Yamashita
Area Wildlife Manager
cc: Joe Gumber, District Wildlife Manager
John Toolen, Area Habitat Biologist
Kelly Rogers, Colorado State Forest Service
Folder: Inbox
es
Message 4 of 12 (OLD)
...._..._ ............................ .....
Date: Wed, 14 Nov 01 15:41 PM MST
From:
"Keith Fife" <KFife@co.mesa.co.us> •_Hd x
To: <Kitlyon@usa.net>
Cc: "Carl White" <CFWhite@co.mesa.co.us>, "Linda Dannenberger"
<LDannenb@co.mesa.co.us>, "Mike Meininger" <MMeining@co.mesa.co.us>, "Peter
Baier" <PBaier@co.mesa.co.us>, "Bob Carman" <RCarman@co.mesa.co.us>
Subject: Review comments - Ed Roszyk Timber CUP
Kit:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on Garfield County's land use
application, the Ed Roszyk Timber Harvest Conditional Use Permit.
Since the proposed haul route includes Mesa, County Road 45 near DeBeque section
5.2.9 of the Mesa County Land Development Code applies to this application. It
requires any project "hauling 4,500 tons of material or more within a one month
time frame" to confer with the Mesa County Public Works Director (Mr. Pete
Baier) to determine what if any restrictions in the use of Mesa County Roads may
be required ( allowed hours and days of use; # of vehicles per given time
period, and other conditions necessary to protect the integrity and condition of
county roads.
Please contact Pete at pbaieraco.mesa.co.us or 244-1689 with any questions
regarding Mesa County road restrictions.
Thanks again,
Keith B. Fife, AICP
Division Director, Long Range Planning
Mesa County Planning & Development Dept.
PO Box 20,000
Grand Junction. CO 81502-5047
(970) 244-1650
fax (970) 244-1769
kfife@co.mesa.co.us
®1998-2001 USA.NET®, Inc. All Rights Reserved. U.S. Patent# 5,937,161.
Users of this site agree to be bound by Net@ddress Messaging Center Subscriber Agreement.
Town of Parachute
P.O. Box 100
Parachute, CO 81635
11) GARFIELD COUNTY
Building & Planning Department
Review Agency Form
%CEIVED NOV 1 32001
Date Sent: 10/10/01
Comments Due: November 21, 2001
Name of application: Roszyk Conditional and Special Use Permits
Sent to:
Garfield County requests your comment in review of this project. Please notify Kit Lyon
in the event you are unable to respond by Wednesday, November 21, 2001. This form
may be used for your response, or you may attach your own additional sheets as
necessary. Written comments may be mailed or faxed to:
Kit Lyon
Garfield County Building & Planning
109 8th Street, Suite 301
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Fax: 970-384-5004
Phone: 970-945-8212, email: "kitlyon@usa.net"
General comments:
No objections, harvest area minimumized by terrain.
This review agency recommends (circle one): Approval Denial
The following are suggested conditions of approval, or are the reasons for denial:
Name,of eviz agenc
By:,
Mayor
Date: 11-09-01
Reviaeri Viimm0
Industrial Impact Statement
For the
Ed Roszyk Property
Covering portions of sections: 10, 11, and 12,
Township 6 south, Range 100 west of the 6th. P.M.
Garfield County, Colorado
(1)This impact statement has been submitted to the Garfield County Building and Planning
Department as a supplement to the Timber Harvest Plan for the Roszyk property. Please
reference the Timber Harvest Plan for a detailed explanation of the location, scope, design,
proposed timber harvest schedule, and operational characteristics of this project. Additional
information as required by section 5.03.07 is addressed as follows:
(A) Existing lawful use of water through depletion or pollution of surface run-off, stream
flow or ground water:
No water will be used in the harvesting of timber on the property. As stated in section VL A. of
the Timber Harvest Plan, selective timber harvesting will likely improve the watershed value of
the area treated, with slightly increased yields immediately following harvest. This increase is
due to the decreased density of the timber and less interception of snow in the tree canopy. The
increased water collection will provide benefits for ten to twenty years as the forest rapidly
regrows (Alexander, 1986).
Increased sediment production from timber harvest can usually be attributed to poor road or skid
trail design rather than the actual removal of timber. Proper road design and drainage, along with
rehabilitation of disturbed areas, will ensure minimal water degradation from this project. Carr
Creek and the Left Fork of Carr Creek will be crossed at only one point (at existing crossings)
and the stream channels will remain relatively undisturbed. In addition, a streamside
management zone (SMZ) of at least 50 feet will be maintained along all perennial streams, where
no removal of timber will be allowed.
There is no obvious history of slumping, mass movement, or known indicators of unstable soils
in the proposed sale area. Available soils information for the area indicates that mass movement
potential is low.
Logging and road construction have been carefully planned to avoid steep slopes, wet areas, or
suspected unstable soils. Mitigation measures will include prompt revegetation of disturbed
areas, road drainage systems with proper culvert placement, and stabilization of cut/fill slopes.
(B) Impacts on adjacent land from the generation of vapor, dust, smoke, noise, glare or
vibration, or other emanations:
Land in close proximity (within a mile) to this property is mostly undeveloped. The proposed on-
site logging activity is not expected to impact neighbors significantly. There will be a short- term
increase in traffic along the proposed haul route, with a resultant increase in noise and some dust
along County roads 204 and 207. Traffic will consist of one or two log truck loads per day, plus
two or three pickups. Creation of road dust along the proposed haul route may impact some
residents. Mitigation will include water or dust control chemicals if necessary. If dust impacts
become a problem further mitigation by limiting the number of loads per day and/or the speed of
haul trucks may be necessary. Logging and hauling operations will only occur during daylight
hours.
(C) Impacts on wildlife and domestic animals through the creation of hazardous
attractions, alteration of existing vegetation, blockade of migration routes, use patterns or
other disruptions:
One of the objectives in managing the property's timber resource is to maintain or improve the
wildlife habitat. As mentioned previously, the proposed timber sale should not affect the overall
value of these stands as big game cover. Elk, deer, and turkey may be temporarily displaced from
the area during logging and hauling operations. No logging or hauling will occur during the big
game archery or rifle seasons.
Immediately following the timber harvest, understory vegetation will likely increase due to more
light reaching the forest floor. Most of this increase is in grasses and forbs that are palatable to
cattle and other grazers. This increase is relatively short-lived; within 15 years, the area will
usually be producing about the same amount of forage as before harvest.
Nesting sites for forest raptor species such as goshawk or flammulated owls will be identified
within the harvest area prior to the timber harvest, and the sites will be protected from logging
damage. In addition, standing dead trees or trees with dead tops will be retained at a average
density of 6 trees per acre.
(D) Affirmatively show the impacts of truck and automobile traffic to and from such uses
and their impacts to areas in the County:
See (B) above.
(E) That sufficient distances shall separate such use from abutting property which might
otherwise be damaged by operations of the proposed use:
The area proposed for logging is located approximately 1/2 mile from the nearest abutting private
property. No permanent residences are within a mile of the project area. On-site logging
operations will produce only distant noise from chainsaws, trucks, and heavy equipment.
(F) Mitigation measures proposed for all of the foregoing impacts identified and for the
standards identified in- Section 5.03.08 of this Resolution.
Mitigation measures have been listed in the above sections. Industrial Performance Standards as
listed in section 5.03.08 will be adhered to as closely as possible.
(2) Additional mitigation provisions are listed as follows:
(A) A plan for site rehabilitation must be approved by the County Commissioners before a
permit for conditional or special use will be issued;
Site rehabilitation following logging will be largely unnecessary. This project is a partial removal
of overstory Douglas -fir timber. Existing stand conditions show a variety of age classes
represented, including adequate intermediate, seedling and sapling -stage trees that will
eventually fill into the overstory. Natural regeneration of seedlings will also occur in small
created openings. Landing areas will have slash piled for later burning when conditions allow.
Landings, temporary roads, and skid trails will subsequently be seeded with a native grass seed
mix.
•
June 26, 2001
Kit Lyon
Garfield County Building and Planning Department
109 8th
. Street, Suite 303
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Re: Roszyk S.U.P.
Kit,
FOREST
SERVICE
Grand Junction District
222 S. 6th. St., Rm.#416
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 248-7325
RECEIVED JUN 2 7 2001
Enclosed are three copies of an Application for Conditional Use Permit for Ed Roszyk, along
with the application fee of $250.00. Mr. Roszyk has signed an agreement with the Colorado State
Forest Service to act as his agent (included in the Appendix) in obtaining this permit.
To access the property as planned, Mr. Roszyk will have to cross private land owned by Tom
Scott, and a short stretch of BLM land. Mr. Roszyk has filed an application for a permit to cross
the BLM land through the Grand Junction field office. He is also in the process of obtaining
written permission to cross Tom Scott's property. Mr. Scott has verbally agreed to provide
access.
Let me know if you need any additional information to process this application.
Sincerely,
,./4 'co ---
Kelly Rogers
Assistant District Forester
-
•
11100/ 'PP
RECEIVED AUG 6'2001
August 2, 2000
Kit Lyon
Garfield County Building and Planning Department
109 8th. Street, Suite 303
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
RE: Roszyk Timber Harvest.
SERVICE
Grand Junction District
222 S. 6m. St., Rm.#416
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 248-7325
Kit,
In response to your request dated July 17, 2001 for more detailed information on the above-mentioned special use
permit application, I have addressed your concerns as follows:
1) We are planning on crossing both BLM property and Tom Scott's place, as indicated on the map in
Appendix C of the Application. Attached are copies of letters from both the BLM and Tom Scott granting
access.
2) In regard to stream crossings, please refer to the map in Appendix C of the plan:
There is an existing road that fords the Main Fork of Carr Creek (perennial) just after leaving County Road
207, which currently accesses a gas well site on BLM land. We anticipate using this ford. The Left Fork of
Carr Creek (intermittent) is also crossed by an existing 2 -track ford, which the BLM has already approved
for our use. Two additional intermittent drainages will be crossed on Roszyk's land to access the sale area,
the first with a ford and the second with an 18" culvert.
3) All loads will be within legal weight and height limits.
4) At this point, we anticipate using only conventional, rubber tired skidders on slopes less than 40%.
Conventional skidders will be used only within the cross -hatched area shown on the map in Appendic C.
Helicopter logging could be done on the steeper slopes above this area, although it is currently not
economically feasible. However, we would like to leave the option open for helicopter logging if economic
conditions change. Helicopter logging would not alter the haul route, only the anticipated number of loads
hauled. It is likely that helicopter logging would add up to 100 loads to this sale.
5) I'm not familiar with the sections and requirements you listed, and this is the first time I've heard of an
"industrial impact statement". This is virtually the exact same logging situation as the application filed
earlier this year for the Altenbern property just up the road. Why are the application requirements different
for Ed Roszyk's property? Mr. Roszyk has recently mailed in an additional check for $150 to your office
to cover the fees mentioned.
I hope this covers the information that you need to process this application. Please contact me for further
information.
Sincerely,
Kelly Rogers
Assistant District Forester
e
IN RF LY RF:FHR T(1:
800
0060337
•
United States Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF ZANY) MANAGEMENT
Grand Junction Field Office
2615 H Raul
Grand Juncrion, Colorado 81506
JUN 01 2001
ERTIFIED MAIL NO. CERTIFIED MAIL NO.
000 0520 0023 6848 3066 7000 0520 0023 6848 3073
signee: Assignor:
hn W. Savage Edward W. Roszyk
.O. Bua 1926 536 N. 41" Street
'fle, CO 81650 Grand Junction, CO 81501
DECISION
Assignment improved
May 17, 2001, the Bureau of Land Management's Grand Junction Field Office received an
I<ignment request from John W. Savage for right-of-way COC60337, tut access road across
btic lands. The assignee, Edward W. Roszyk has submitted an application and assignment fee
r the right-of-way. Rental is current and all documents are in order, therefore, the assignment
COC60337 is hereby approved.
I you have any questions concerning this assignment, please contact Sandra Warren at
9 0-244-3077,
TA 39dd
113 Amoni
Catherine Robertson
Grand Junction Field Manager
■
O0Et99ZOL6 99:E0 TOM/SI/Le
•
STATE OF COLORADO
Bill Owens, Governor
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WILDLIFE
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Russell George, Director
6060 Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80216
Telephone: (303) 297-1192
November 23, 2001
Kit Lyon
Garfield County Building and Planning
109 8th Street, Suite 301
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
RE: Roszyk Conditional and Special Use Permits
Dear Ms. Lyon,
WCEIVED NOV 2 8 2001
For IVildlife-
For People
Our staff has reviewed the "Timber Harvest Plan" pertaining to these permits and we find that, in
general, this plan sufficiently addresses our concerns for wildlife. Negative impacts to wildlife should
be minimal provided this timber harvest project is implemented and enforced according to the plan that
was prepared by Kelly Rogers, Assistant District Forester for Colorado State Forest Service. Specific
comments in regard to the "Timber Harvest Plan" are provided as follows:
Page 4- Wildlife
1. There are no threatened or endangered wildlife species known to inhabit this project area.
2. Other forest species include blue grouse, migratory song birds, mountain lion, and pine marten.
3. As stated within the plan, the Colorado River cutthroat trout has been recently restored to the
waters of the adjacent Carr Creek. Colorado River cutthroat trout occur throughout Carr Creek with
limited occurrence within the Left Fork of Carr Creek. The harvest plan adequately addresses the
potential impacts to this fish population by requiring the placement of culverts at stream crossings;
controlling soil erosion; maintaining a 50 foot "streamside management zone"; and by ultimately
limiting stream sedimentation.
4. The Division of Wildlife's "WRIS DATA" (Wildlife Resource Information System) indicates that
the proposed timber harvest area provides escape and thermal cover for elk on year-round basis; but,
does not specifically identify this area as elk caving habitat. The forested areas within this project area
do provide a limited amount of calving habitat for resident elk, primarily during the month of May.
The plan currently states that timbering activities would not take place from March through May due to
the spring run-off season. Negative impacts to calving elk should be minimal.
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Greg E. Walcher, Executive Director
WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Rick Enstrom, Chair • Robert Shoemaker, Vice -Chair • Marianna Raftopoulos, Secretary
Members, Bernard Black • Tom Burke • Philip James • Brad Phelps • Olive Valdez
Ex -Officio Members, Greg E. Walcher and Don Ament
• •
Page 9- V. Schedule of Operations; Page 10.- B. Recreation and Aesthetics
1. The Colorado archery deer/ elk hunting season and the fall black bear hunting season both take place
during the month of September each year. Shutting down the timber harvest activity during September
would accommodate hunters within this area.
Page 10- C. Wildlife Habitat and Range Values
1. Other forest nesting raptor species to be surveyed and accommodated would include northern saw -
whet owl, northern pygmy owl, great horned owl, and spotted owl.
2. This timber harvest project lies within year-round black bear habitat where human/bear conflicts
have recently occurred with local residents of Carr Creek. There is potential for human/bear conflicts
with logging/timbering workers that are working and, or, camping in this area during the timber harvest
operation. The potential for human/bear conflicts within this project area would be greatly reduced by
placing and utilizing "bear proof' trash containers at work-site/camping locations. Furthermore,
workers affiliated with this project should be advised not to feed bears, whether intentional or not, since
this activity is a violation of Colorado Wildlife Commission Regulations and is detrimental to wild
bears. The Division of Wildlife has information on the design and purchase of "bear proof' trash
containers, and, will provide this information to anyone who is interested in preventing conflicts with
bears.
The Division of Wildlife appreciates the opportunity to comment on projects such as these. Please
contact me if you need anything further.
Sincerely,
Steve Yamashita
Area Wildlife Manager
cc: Joe Gumber, District Wildlife Manager
John Toolen, Area Habitat Biologist
Kelly Rogers, Colorado State Forest Service
Folder: Inbox
Message 4 of 12 (OLD)
< 1_>:.] Delete 1 Forward
Reply 1 Reply All 1 Move To: I I Received .
Date: Wed, 14 Nov 01 15:41 PM MST
From:
"Keith Fife" <KFife@co.mesa.co.us>
To: <Kitlyon@usa.net>
Cc: "Carl White" <CFWhite@co.mesa.co.us>, "Linda Dannenberger"
<LDannenb@co.mesa.co.us>, "Mike Meininger" <MMeining@co.mesa.co.us>, "Peter
Baier" <PBaier@co.mesa.co.us>, "Bob Carman" <RCarman@co.mesa.co.us>
Subject: Review comments - Ed Roszyk Timber CUP
Add To Address Book
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Kit:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on Garfield County's land use
application, the Ed Roszyk Timber Harvest Conditional Use Permit.
Since the proposed haul route includes Mesa County Road 45 near DeBeque section
5.2.9 of the Mesa County Land Development Code applies to this application. It
requires any project "hauling 4,500 tons of material or more within a one month
time frame" to confer with the Mesa County Public Works Director (Mr. Pete
Baier) to determine what if any restrictions in the use of Mesa County Roads may
be required ( allowed hours and days of use; # of vehicles per given time
period, and other conditions necessary to protect the integrity and condition of
county roads.
Please contact Pete at pbaier@co_mesa.co,us or 244-1689 with any questions
regarding Mesa County road restrictions.
Thanks again,
Keith B. Fife, AICP
Division Director, Long Range Planning
Mesa County Planning & Development Dept.
PO Box 20,000
Grand Junction. CO 81502-5047
(970) 244-1650
fax (970) 244-1769
kfife@co.mesa.co.us
,....‹J.2]
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@ 1998-2001 USA.NET®, Inc. All Rights Reserved. U.S. Patent # 5,937,161.
Users of this site agree to be bound by Net@ddress Messaging Center Subscriber Agreement.
Town of Parachute
P.O. Box 100
Parachute, CO 81635
i NOV 3 Al
GARFIELD COUNTY fECEWED
Building & Planning Department
Review Agency Form
Date Sent: 10/10/01
Comments Due: November 21, 2001
Name of application: Roszyk Conditional and Special Use Permits
Sent to:
-----------------------------------------------------
Garfield County requests your comment in review of this project. Please notify Kit Lyon
in the event you are unable to respond by Wednesday, November 21, 2001. This form
may be used for your response, or you may attach your own additional sheets as
necessary. Written comments may be mailed or faxed to:
Kit Lyon
Garfield County Building & Planning
109 8th Street, Suite 301
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Fax: 970-384-5004
Phone: 970-945-8212, email: "kitlyon@usa.net"
General comments:
No objections, harvest area minimumized by terrain.
This review agency recommends (circle one): ( Approval Denial
The following are suggested conditions of approval, or are the reasons for denial:
Name off evie agency
By: �—7( Date: 11-09-01
Mayor
RPviceri zi1mm0