HomeMy WebLinkAbout8. CDOT Environmental Clearance Letter_Frontage Rd_Vail_May 2010_DRAFT
AMEC Earth & Environmental 1002 Walnut Street, Suite 200 Boulder, Colorado 80302 Tel: 303.443.7839 Fax: 303.442.0616 www.amec.com SENT VIA FTP AND FEDERAL EXPRESS April 2, 2010 Tammie
Smith Colorado Department of Transportation 222 South 6th Street Room 317 Grand Junction, Colorado 81501 Tammie.Smith@DOT.STATE.CO.US RE: Draft Environmental Clearance Documentation
for the South Frontage Road Realignment in Vail, Colorado Dear Ms. Smith: On behalf of our client, Vail Resorts Development Company, AMEC Earth & Environmental, Inc. (AMEC) is submitting
the enclosed documentation pertaining to the proposed realignment of South Frontage Road in the West Lionshead area of Vail, Colorado. The road realignment is the first stage in the
construction of a new, environmentally-friendly resort village to be called Ever Vail. The South Frontage Road Realignment Project is now currently nearing the 90% design submittal phase;
as part of this project, AMEC is required to provide information to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) for Environmental Clearance. This letter and associated exhibits
should be considered in draft form and are for your preliminary review. The final Environmental Clearance documentation will be submitted through the Town of Vail at a later date. It
is our understanding, based upon information provided by you via email, that CDOT requires clearance reports for the following resource areas: wetlands; archaeology, historical resources,
and paleontology; threatened and endangered species; and hazardous waste. In addition, CDOT requires copies of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 404 permits and any Colorado Department
of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) permits. The entire site was evaluated for the occurrence of wetlands. This documentation includes wetland delineations of areas where USACE jurisdiction
wetlands were thought to exist. Areas not addressed in the report were found to have no evidence of wetland vegetation. The enclosed documentation provides you with what we have to-date
for the above-listed resource areas and permits. Because the South Frontage Road Realignment Project has only been approved for the 90% design submittal phase, not all of the above-listed
permits and reports have been generated. As was discussed with you, we will submit the remaining required documents to CDOT as soon as they become available to us. Below is a summary
of what is included with this letter, as well as what will be submitted to CDOT at a later date. Environmental clearance documents included with this letter (listed by Exhibit number):
Exhibit 1: Wetland delineation report by Western Ecological Resource, Inc.
Ms. Tammie Smith April 2, 2010 Page 2 AMEC Earth & Environmental Exhibit 2: Report on archaeological, historical, and paleontological resources by Metcalf Archaeological Consultants,
Inc. Exhibit 3: Summary table on Threatened & Endangered species by AMEC, as well as a letter from the Colorado Division of Wildlife stating that there is no suitable habitat for Canada
Lynx on the Site. Exhibit 4: Phase I Environmental Assessment. Environmental Investigation of the Southern Portion of Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) I-70 Right of Way,
Vail, Colorado by Braun Environmental, Inc. Exhibit 5: On Disc. Glen Lyon Office Building Phase I Environmental Assessment by Braun Environmental, Inc. Exhibit 6: On Disc. EverVail Phase
I Environmental Assessment by Braun Environmental, Inc. Environmental clearance documents to be submitted to CDOT as soon as they become available: 1. USACE 404 permit for impacts to
waters of the United States and associated wetlands. Please note that AMEC has already had a pre-application meeting with Mr. Nick Mezei, the USACE representative for projects in Vail,
and the notification documentation is currently being compiled. 2. CDPHE Construction Stormwater Discharge Permit & CDPHE Construction Dewatering Discharge Permit After your preliminary
review of these documents, please let me know if you need further information on any of the resource areas. A final draft of the Environmental Clearance reports will be submitted through
the Town of Vail at a later date. I can be reached at 303.443.7839 or at Sara.Born@amec.com. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, AMEC Earth & Environmental, Inc. Sara
R. Born cc: Bill Kennedy, Vail Resorts Development Company (sent via FTP only)
Ms. Tammie Smith April 2, 2010 Page 3 AMEC Earth & Environmental Enclosures
EXHIBIT 1: Wetland delineation report by Western Ecological Resource, Inc. Draft CDOT Environmental Clearance Documentation December 22, 2008
Wetland Delineation Ever Vail Project Eagle County, Colorado prepared for: Vail Resorts Development Company PO Box 959, Avon, Colorado 81620 prepared by: Western Ecological Resource,
Inc. 711 Walnut Street, Boulder, Colorado 80302 March 2008
Table of Contents Section /Title Page 1.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1 2.0
Environmental Setting ........................................................................................................... 1 3.0 Delineation Methods............................................
................................................................. 1 3.1 Agency Coordination.........................................................................................................
1 4.0 Wetlands Present .................................................................................................................. 1 4.1 Red Sandstone Creek Wetland............................
............................................................... 4 4.1.1 Location......................................................................................................................
4 4.1.2 Classification............................................................................................................... 4 4.1.3 Vegetation ..............................................
.................................................................... 4 4.1.4 Hydrology.................................................................................................................
.. 4 4.1.5 Soils........................................................................................................................... 4 4.2 Gore Creek Wetland...................................
....................................................................... 7 4.2.1 Location...............................................................................................................
....... 7 4.2.2 Classification............................................................................................................... 7 4.2.3 Vegetation ......................................
............................................................................ 7 4.2.4 Hydrology.........................................................................................................
.......... 7 4.2.5 Soils........................................................................................................................... 7 4.3 Wetland A ...................................
...................................................................................... 7 4.2.1 Location................................................................................................
...................... 7 4.3.2 Classification............................................................................................................... 7 4.3.3 Vegetation .......................
........................................................................................... 7 4.3.4 Hydrology..........................................................................................
......................... 8 4.3.5 Soils........................................................................................................................... 8 5.0 Analysis of Jurisdictional
Status.............................................................................................. 8 6.0 Photos......................................................................................
............................................ 9 7.0 References ..........................................................................................................................
14 Appendix A. Field Data Forms.................................................................................................. 15
List of Figures Number /Title Page Figure 1. Project Location Map................................................................................................... 2 Figure 2. Wetland
Map............................................................................................................... 3 List of Tables Number /Title Page Table 1. Vascular Plant Species
List ............................................................................................ 5 List of Photos Number /Title Page Photo 1. Red Sandstone Creek Wetland, view upstream
from the road crossing. (5/2/07). .........10 Photo 2. This small island in Red Sandstone Creek contains both wetland & upland habitats.. ...10 Photo 3. Red Sandstone Creek Wetland,
view downstream from the road crossing. (5/2/07). ....11 Photo 4. Wetlands are more extensive on the small floodplain. (5/2/07)....................................11 Photo 5. Gore Creek
Wetland, western portion. View upstream from the bridge. (5/2/07). .......12 Photo 6. Reed canarygrass grows in small stands amongst the large boulders. (5/2/07). .............12 Photo
7. Gore Creek Wetland, view downstream from the Forest Road Bridge. (5/2/07)............13 Photo 8. Wetland A is located in a man-made drainage swale near the culvert outfall.. ..............13
1 1.0 Introduction Vail Resorts Development Company has plans to re-develop a 9.5 acre parcel in West Lionshead into a new earth-friendly development called Ever Vail. Specifically,
the project site is located in Sections 6 and 7 of Township 5 South and Range 80 West, and Section 12 of Township 5 South and Range 81 West (Figure 1). The development would include
a new hotel, condominiums, commercial/retail space, a parking garage, and a new gondola to access Vail Mountain. To aid in project planning, a wetland delineation was completed for the
9.5 acre project site. Please note, all Tables and Figures are included with the text or are located inside the back cover, and all Photos are located in Section 6.0. 2.0 Environmental
Setting The Ever Vail project site is located on an irregularly shaped parcel in West Vail bounded by Interstate 70 to the north and Gore Creek to the south. The South Frontage Road
for I-70 bisects the project site, and roadways and existing developments are located to the east and west. Red Sandstone Creek, a perennial stream, flows south from a culvert under
I-70 through the Ever Vail project site. Approximately 320 feet south of I-70, it flows through a box culvert under the South Frontage Road and then continues south for approximately
200 feet before flowing into Gore Creek. Gore Creek, also a perennial stream, flows into the Eagle River approximately 2½ miles southwest of the project site. The project site is dominated
by existing commercial and retail developments and by a maintenance equipment yard for the Vail Ski Resort. Elevations range from a high of approximately 8,138 feet in the northeast
corner to a low of approximately 8,054 feet along Gore Creek in the southeast corner. 3.0 Delineation Methods Wetlands were delineated by Heather Houston of Western Ecological Resource,
Inc. and David Buscher of Buscher Soil & Environmental Consulting, Inc. in accordance with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Wetland Delineation Manual (1987) on May 2, 2007. Specifically,
wetland boundaries boundaries were delineated and flagged based upon the prevalence of hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and indicators of a wetland hydrology. Field forms for the
five test pits with vegetation, soils, and hydrology data are included in Appendix A. In general, plant species names follow Weber and Whitmann (1992). The wetland status of plants follows
the 1988 National List for the Intermountain Region. Classification of wetlands follows Cowardin et al. (1979). Wetland flagging was surveyed by Gore Range Surveying of Vail, Colorado.
3.1 Agency Coordination The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has not visited the project site to review the flagged wetland boundary. 4.0 Wetlands Present Herbaceous wetlands were mapped
along the two perennial streams present within the project site, Red Sandstone Creek and Gore Creek, and in a shallow depression just south of I-70 near the northeastern corner of the
ski area maintenance equipment yard. Each wetland is described below and is illustrated by Figure 2, the Wetland Map.
4 4.1 Red Sandstone Creek Wetland 4.1.1 Location Herbaceous wetlands were mapped on both the east and west banks of Red Sandstone Creek and on a small island within the channel, located
just south of the culvert under I-70 (Photos 1-4). Upstream of the Frontage Road, the Red Sandstone Creek Wetland occurs in a narrow band due to the steepness of the banks and limited
floodplain development. Downstream of the Frontage Road, the wetland is more extensive on the small floodplain created where Red Sandstone Creek flows into Gore Creek. 4.1.2 Classification
The riparian wetlands delineated along Red Sandstone Creek are classified in the Palustrine System, with Forested, Scrub-Shrub and Emergent Persistent Wetland Classes under the Cowardin
Classification System for Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats (Cowardin et al., 1979). 4.1.3 Vegetation The riparian wetland located along Red Sandstone Creek has a woody overstory dominated
by blue spruce and Engelmann spruce (Picea pungens; P. engelmannii) with occasional narrowleaf cottonwood (Populus angustifolia) trees. The diverse shrub layer includes several native
species including mountain willow (Salix monticola), whitestem gooseberry (Ribes inerme), bush honeysuckle (Distegia involucrata), Woods’ rose (Rosa woodsii), and red raspberry (Rubus
idaeus ssp. strigosus). In the herbaceous understory, common graminoids include redtop (Agrostis gigantea), bluejoint reedgrass (Calamagrostis canadensis), beaked sedge (Carex utriculata),
water sedge (Carex aquatilis), smallwing sedge (Carex microptera), and bog bluegrass (Poa leptocoma), and the upland grasses smooth brome (Bromus inermis), Canada bluegrass (Poa compressa),
slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus), and orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata). The native perennials scouring rush (Equisetum hyemale) and field horsetail (Equisetum arvense) are
also present in the saturated soil habitat. The most abundant forbs in the understory are the native perennial cow parsnip (Heracleum sphondylium ssp. montanum) and the noxious weed
Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense). Other common forbs include chiming bells (Mertensia ciliata), largeleaf avens (Geum macrophyllum) and New Mexico checkermallow (Sidalcea neomexicana)
in the wetter soils, with fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium), leafy bracted aster (Aster foliaceous), Richardson’s geranium (Geranium richardsonii), and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
in the drier portions of the wetland. Table 1 lists the vascular plant species observed on the project site during the wetland delineation. 4.1.4 Hydrology The Red Sandstone Creek Wetland
is supported by perennial flows in Red Sandstone Creek, seasonal flooding, and the high ground water table associated with the alluvial aquifer of the creek. Several small, poorly defined
drainage swales also convey stormwater runoff from the adjacent developments into the Red Sandstone Creek Wetland. 4.1.5 Soils Five soil pits were evaluated to determine the boundary
of the Red Sandstone Creek Wetland. Pit 3 is located within the surveyed wetland boundary, and Pits 1, 2, 4, and 5 are located in the adjacent uplands. Pits 2 and 3 are located on the
small island in Red Sandstone Creek, which contains both upland and wetland habitats. Pit 3, located within the wetland, was saturated below a depth of ten inches, and a few mottles
and oxidized root channels were also identified in the upper 12 inches. The hydric soil in Pit 3 is classified in the Typic Cryaquolls. Pit 2, located in the upland portion of the small
island, did not contain saturated soils and lacked any redoximorphic features. The soil in Pit 2 is classified in the Fluvaquentic Haplocryolls. The upland soil in Pit 1 is classified
in the Oxyaquic Eutrocryepts, and Pits 4 and 5 contain Fluvaquentic Haplocryolls. None of these pits was saturated at the time of the wetland delineation and no mottles or oxidized root
channels were present.
5 TABLE 1 Vascular Plant Species List Ever Vail Project Scientific Name Common Name Family Origin* Wetland Status** Trees Picea engelmannii Engelmann spruce Pinaceae N FACU-* Picea pungens
Blue spruce Pinaceae N FACPopulus angustifolia Narrowleaf cottonwood Salicaceae N FAC* Populus tremuloides Aspen Salicaceae N FAC Shrubs Cornus sericea (C. stolonifera) Redosier dogwood
Cornaceae N FACW Distegia involucrata Bush honeysuckle Caprifoliaceae N FAC Ribes inerme Whitestem gooseberry Grossulariaceae N FAC+ Ribes montigenum Gooseberry currant Grossulariaceae
N NL Rosa woodsii Woods' rose Rosaceae N FACRubus idaeus spp. strigosus Red raspberry Rosaceae N FACU Salix drummondiana Drummond willow Salicaceae N FACW+ Salix exigua Sandbar willow
Salicaceae N OBL Salix monticola Mountain willow Salicaceae N OBL Salix planifolia Planeleaf willow Salicaceae N OBL Symphoricarpos rotundifolius Snowberry Caprifoliaceae N NL Perennial
Graminoids Agrostis gigantea (A. alba) Redtop Poaceae I FACW Bromus inermis Smooth brome Poaceae I NL Calamagrostis canadensis Bluejoint reedgrass Poaceae N OBL Carex aquatilis Water
sedge Cyperaceae N OBL Carex microptera Smallwing sedge Cyperaceae N FAC Dactylis glomerata Orchard grass Poaceae I FACU Elymus trachycaulus Slender wheatgrass Poaceae N FACU Glyceria
grandis (G. maxima) American mannagrass Poaceae N OBL Juncus tracyi Tracy’s rush Juncaceae N FACW+ Phalaris arundinacea Reed Canarygrass Poaceae I OBL Phleum pratense Timothy Poaceae
I FACU Poa compressa Canada bluegrass Poaceae I FACU Poa leptocoma Bog bluegrass Poaceae N FACW Poa palustris Fowl bluegrass Poaceae N FACW Triticum aestivum Wheat Poaceae I NL Perennial
Forbs Achillea lanulosa Yarrow Asteraceae N FACU Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Kinnickinnick Ericaceae N UPL Aster foliaceus Leafy bracted aster Asteraceae N FACU
6 TABLE 1 Vascular Plant Species List Ever Vail Project Scientific Name Common Name Family Origin* Wetland Status** Cardamine cordifolia Heartleaf bittercress Brassicaceae N FACW+ Cardaria
draba White top Brassicaceae I+ NL Cirsium arvense Canada thistle Asteraceae I+ FACU Epilobium angustifolium Fireweed Onagraceae N FACU Fragaria virginiana Mountain strawberry Rosaceae
N FACU Geranium richardsonii Richardson's Geranium Geraniaceae N FACU Geum macrophyllum Largeleaf avens Rosaceae N OBL Heracleum sphondylium ssp. montanum Cow parsnip Apiaceae N FAC
Leucanthemum vulgare Ox-eye daisy Asteraceae I+ NL Mertensia ciliata Chiming bells Boraginaceae N OBL Noccaea montana Alpine pennycress Brassicaceae N NL Paxistima myrsinites Mountainlover
Celastraceae N NL Ranunculus cymbalaria Shore buttercup Ranunculaceae N OBL Rudbeckia occidentalis var. montana Montane coneflower Asteraceae N NL Sidalcea neomexicana New Mexico checkermallow
Malvaceae N FACW Taraxacum officinale Dandelion Asteraceae I FACU+ Trifolium hybridum Alsike clover Fabaceae I FACUrtica gracilis ssp. gracilis Stinging nettle Urticaceae N FAC Ferns
& Fern Allies Equisetum arvense Field horsetail Equisetaceae N FAC+ Equisetum hyemale Scouring rush Equisetaceae N FACW Annual/Biennial Forbs Carduus nutans ssp. macrolepis Musk thistle
Asteraceae I+ NL Chorispora tenella Purple mustard Brassicaceae I+ NL Conium maculatum Poison hemlock Apiaceae I+ FACW Cynoglossum officinale Houndstongue Boraginaceae I+ NL Verbascum
thapsus Great mullein Scrophulariaceae I+ NL * Origin ** Wetland Status N = Native OBL = Obligate Wetland I = Introduced FACW = Facultative Wetland I+ = Colorado State Noxious Weed FAC
= Facultative FACU = Facultative Upland UPL = Obligate Upland NI/NO/NL = No Status in this Region
7 4.2 Gore Creek Wetland 4.2.1 Location The Gore Creek Wetland forms a narrow band along the southern boundary of the project site, where the steep banks and abundance of large boulders
limit the area available for wetland development (Photos 5-7). 4.2.2 Classification Under the Cowardin Classification System for Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats (Cowardin et al., 1979),
the riparian wetland along Gore Creek is classified in the Palustrine System, with Forested and Scrub-Shrub Wetland Classes. 4.2.3 Vegetation The steep, partially shaded north bank of
Gore Creek supports a narrow band of herbaceous wetlands. The forested overstory is comprised of mature blue spruce and Engelmann spruce trees. In the shrub layer, mountain willow is
common, where it grows with Drummond willow (Salix drummondiana), planeleaf willow (Salix planifolia), whitestem gooseberry, Woods’ rose, bush honeysuckle, and snowberry (Symphoricarpos
rotundifolius). Less abundant shrubs include sandbar willow (Salix exigua), gooseberry currant (Ribes montigenum), and dogwood (Cornus sericea). Very little herbaceous wetland vegetation
is present within the surveyed wetland boundary due to the abundance of boulders and the limited area of saturated soil habitat. The most abundant species in the Gore Creek Wetland is
reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), an introduced agricultural grass. Other less abundant herbaceous species in the wetland include scouring rush, field horsetail, slender wheatgrass,
orchard grass, and the forbs Canada thistle, stinging nettle (Urtica gracilis ssp. gracilis), and fireweed. In addition to Canada thistle, the noxious weeds houndstongue (Cynoglossum
officinale), great mullein (Verbascum thapsus), oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), musk thistle (Carduus nutans ssp. macrolepis), and purple mustard (Chorispora tenella) are all present
in uplands just outside the wetland boundary. 4.2.4 Hydrology Perennial flows in Gore Creek, a tributary of the Eagle River, saturate the banks and provide the hydrology for the Gore
Creek Wetland. In addition, the wetland is influenced by seasonal flooding during snowmelt and the seasonally high ground water table associated with the alluvial aquifer of Gore Creek.
4.2.5 Soils No soil pits were dug within the surveyed boundary of the Gore Creek Wetland, however it is reasonable to assume hydric soils are present along this perennial stream. 4.3
Wetland A 4.2.1 Location Wetland A is located just outside the northeastern corner of the project site, in a shallow manmade drainage swale that receives stormwater runoff from a culvert
under I-70. The small wetland, measuring approximately 70 square feet, is located near the mouth of the culvert outfall (Photo 8). 4.3.2 Classification Wetland A is classified in the
Palustrine System, Emergent Persistent Wetland Class. 4.3.3 Vegetation Wetland A contains a mixture of wetland and upland plants. The most abundant species in the wetland is American
mannagrass (Glyceria grandis), a native perennial, however timothy (Phleum pratense), an upland pasture grass, is also common. Other common plants in the small wetland include Tracy’s
rush (Juncus tracyi), willowherb (Epilobium sp.), alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum), smooth brome, and slender wheatgrass. As soil moisture is reduced farther down the
8 drainage swale, the plant species composition shifts toward the introduced upland grasses timothy, slender wheatgrass, orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata), smooth brome, and a small
amount of wheat (Triticum aestivum), which was seeded as a nurse crop during revegetation. 4.3.4 Hydrology Hydrology for Wetland A is provided by a culvert that carries stormwater runoff
below I-70 and into the man-made drainage swale. A shallow depression near the mouth of the culvert pools a small volume of water to create saturated soil conditions. The swale has been
constructed to convey stormwater flows toward Red Sandstone Creek. 4.3.5 Soils It was not possible to dig a soil pit within the boundary of Wetland A because the man-made ditch is lined
with permanent erosion control fabric which should not be disturbed. Therefore, the presence of hydric soils was assumed. 5.0 Analysis of Jurisdictional Status The Red Sandstone Creek
Wetland and the Gore Creek Wetland are jurisdictional because Gore Creek is a tributary of the Eagle River, which flows into the Colorado River, an interstate water. Wetland A is located
in a man-made drainage swale in the immediate vicinity of the culvert outfall and does not have a surface hydrologic connection to any other wetlands or waters of the U.S. Wetland A
is more than 800 feet away and 28 feet higher in elevation than the nearest portion of the Red Sandstone Creek Wetland, and water is seldom conveyed down the man-made swale, which is
vegetated by upland plants. Therefore, in our professional opinion, Wetland A is isolated and non-jurisdictional.
9 6.0 Photos
10 Photo 1. Red Sandstone Creek Wetland, view upstream from the South Frontage Road crossing. (5/2/07). Photo 2. This small island in Red Sandstone Creek contains both wetland and upland
habitats. (5/2/07).
11 Photo 3. Red Sandstone Creek Wetland, view downstream from the South Frontage Road crossing toward the junction with Gore Creek. (5/2/07). Photo 4. Wetlands are more extensive on
the small floodplain where Red Sandstone Creek flows into Gore Creek. (5/2/07).
12 Photo 5. Gore Creek Wetland, western portion. View upstream from the pedestrian bridge crossing. (5/2/07). Photo 6. Reed canarygrass grows in small stands amongst the large boulders
that line the north bank of Gore Creek. (5/2/07).
13 Photo 7. Gore Creek Wetland, view downstream from the Forest Road Bridge at the eastern boundary of the project area. (5/2/07). Photo 8. Wetland A is located in a man-made drainage
swale near the culvert outfall, and is dominated by American mannagrass. (5/16/07).
14 7.0 References Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP). 2003. Field Guide to the Wetland and Riparian Plant Associations of Colorado. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Fort Collins,
Colorado. Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and E.T. La Roe. 1979. Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pub. FWS/OBS-79/31,
Washington, D.C., 103 p. Harrington, H.D. 1964. Manual of the Plants of Colorado. The Swallow Press, Inc. Chicago, Illinois 60605. Kartesz, J.T. 1994a. A Synonymized Checklist of the
Vascular Flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. Vol. 1 -Checklist. Second edition. Timber Press, Inc. Portland, Oregon. 622 p. Kartesz, J.T. 1994b. A Synonymized Checklist
of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. Vol. 2 -Thesaurus. Second edition. Timber Press, Inc. Portland, Oregon. 816 p. National List of Plant Species that
Occur in Wetlands. 1988 List. Intermountain (R8) Region. http://www.nwi.fws.gov/bha/NatureServe Explorer: An Online Encyclopedia of Life. http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers. 1987. Wetlands Delineation Manual, Technical Report Y-87-1. U.S. Army Corps of Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS. USDA, NRCS. 2007. The PLANTS
Database (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA. University of Colorado Herbarium (COLO). Specimen Database of Colorado Vascular Plants.
http://cumuseum.colorado.edu/Research/Botany/Databases/search.php Weber, W. A. and R. C. Whitmann. 2001. Colorado Flora: Western Slope, Third edition. University Press of Colorado. Boulder,
Colorado. Weber, W.A. & R.C. Wittmann, 1992. Catalog of the Colorado Flora: a Biodiversity Baseline. University Press of Colorado. Niwot, Colorado. Including most recent addenda available
from CU Herbarium (COLO), Boulder, Colorado.
15 Appendix A. Field Data Forms
EXHIBIT 2: Report on archaeological, historical, and paleontological resources by Metcalf Archaeological Consultants, Inc. Draft CDOT Environmental Clearance Documentation December 22,
2008
EXHIBIT 3: Summary table on Threatened & Endangered species by AMEC & Colorado Division of Wildlife Letter on Canada Lynx Draft CDOT Environmental Clearance Documentation December 22,
2008
Threatened & Endangered Species Summary for the South
Frontage Road Relocation Project, Vail -CDOT Environmental Clearance Documentation The following table provides a list of the federally-listed threatened (T), endangered (E), proposed
(P), and candidate (C) species that occur or may occur in Eagle County and their status. This list includes four listed endangered fish species that are found in the Colorado River to
the west of Eagle County. Common Name Scientific Name Status Rational for Occurrence in Project Area (Habitat) Black-footed ferret Mustela nigripes E No suitable habitat. (Plains grasslands
with prairie dog complexes) Bonytail chub* Gila elegans E No impact to habitat. (Colorado River below Rifle, Colorado) Canada lynx Lynx canadensis T No suitable habitat; see attached
letter from CDOW. (Dense coniferous forests in the subalpine zone and timberline where they use caves, rock crevices, overhanging banks or hollow logs for denning) Colorado pikeminnow*
Ptychocheilus lucius E No impact to habitat. (Colorado River below Rifle, Colorado) Humpback chub* Gila cypha E No impact to habitat. (Colorado River below Rifle, Colorado) Razorback
sucker* Xyrauchen texanus E No impact to habitat. (Colorado River below Rifle, Colorado) Uncompahgre fritillary butterfly Boloria acrocnema E No suitable habitat. (Snow willow stands
between 12,000 feet and 12,600 feet) Yellow-billed cuckoo Coccyzus americanus C No suitable habitat. (Woodlands with cottonwoods and dense understory foliage) Mexican spotted owl Strix
occidentalis lucida T No suitable habitat. (San Juan Mountains above 13,000 feet) Ute ladies’-tresses orchid Spiranthes diluvialis T No suitable habitat. (Moist meadows associated with
perennial stream terraces, floodplains, and oxbows at elevations between 4,300 and 7,000 feet) Notes: 1. *Water depletions in the Upper Colorado River and San Juan River Basins may affect
the species and/or critical habitat in downstream reaches in other states. 2. Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Endangered, Threatened, Proposed and Candidate Species – Colorado Counties.
http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/endspp/CountyLists/Colorado.pdf. February 2008 publication. Accessed November 17, 2008. No suitable habitat for any of the above-listed species exists
at the site. The proposed project will not result in any change in previously approved water depletions or diversions, so there will be no impact on downstream habitat for the endangered
fish species listed above. A letter from the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW), which indicates that there is no habitat for Canada lynx at the site, is included below. Please note
that AMEC Earth & Environmental, Inc. of Boulder was formerly called Hydrosphere Resource Consultants, Inc., as noted in the CDOW letter. AMEC Earth & Environmental
STATE OF COLORADO Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WILDLIFE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Thomas E. Remington, Director 6060 Broadway Denver, Colorado
80216 Telephone: (303) 297-1192 wi!dlife.state.co.us January 21, 2008 Megan Ritchie Paladino & Company, Inc. 110 Union St., Suite 400 Seattle, WA 98101-2028 RE: Lynx Habitat in the Ever
Vail Project Area Dear Ms. Ritchie: This letter responds to an inquiry that I received from Bob Weaver, of Hydrosphere Resource Consultants Inc., regarding the State’s habitat mapping
for lynx in the vicinity of the proposed Ever Vail Project. It is my understanding that the Ever Vail project is proposed to take place within Township 5S, Range 81W, Section 12 and
Township 5S, Range 80W, Section 7, with possible overlap onto Township SS, Range 80W, Section 6. This area is bounded on the north by 1-70 and on the south by Gore Creek with the south
Frontage Road that serves the Town of Vail running though the middle of the area. This area is located within the Town of Vail on land that has been previously developed and is surrounded
by urbanized areas. Because of the projects location within an area of previous developed use, proximity of heavily used roads, and the lack of suitable habitat within the project boundary.
The proposed Ever Vail project would not take place within habitat that is suitable for lynx. If you have questions please contact DWM Bill Andree at 970-328-6563 Sincerel2~__~____ ill
Wildlife Manager cc: Velarde, Andree, file, Weaver, Hydrosphere Resource Consultants, Inc. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Hanis D. Sherman, Executive Director WILDLIFE COMMISSION,
Tom Burke, chair • claire O’NeaI, Vice Chair • Robert Bray, Secretary Members, Dennis Buechler • Brad Coors s Jeffrey Crawford • Tim Glenn • Roy McAnaIIy • Richard Ray Ex Officio Members,
Hanis Sherman and John Stulp For Wild4ft-For People
EXHIBIT 4: Phase I Environmental Assessment by Braun Environmental, Inc. Draft CDOT Environmental Clearance Documentation December 22, 2008
Braun Braun Environmental, Inc. 355 S. Teller St. Ste. 200, Lakewood, Colorado 80226 Office:303-988-7697 888-988-7697 Fax:303-697-2140 November 11, 2008 Bill Kennedy Vail Resorts Development
Company P.O. Box 959 Avon, Colorado 81620 RE: Environmental Investigation of the Southern Portion of Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) I-70 Right of Way, Vail, Colorado Dear
Mr. Kennedy: In October 2008, Braun Environmental, Inc. was requested by Vail Resorts Development Company to conduct a site visit to a parcel of land (Subject Property) located along
the southern edge of Interstate 70 Road at Vail Colorado (Figure 1). The southern edge of the land is bounded by private land including the Vail Ski Area Maintenance Yard area, the Vail
Professional Building, and the Cascade Crossing Building. The parcel has an average width of less than 10 feet and a length of a little over 1,700 feet to make an estimated area of about
one third of an acre. Its entire surface, with exception of the stream area around Red Sandstone Creek has been disturbed and regraded during construction of I-70 in the late 1960's.
The ground surface is fully vegetated along its majority with imported planted grass species; the dominant one being brome. The eastern portion bordering the Vail Maintenance Yard area
is either gravel or contains asphalt. This area is used for storage of equipment and supplies. Small diameter culverts drain surface water below the I-70 road surface onto the area.
To keep water from flowing onto developed land to the south, shallow swales have been developed along portions of the southern edge of the Subject Property to pond the water on the parcel,
and that if sufficient water should collect, drain it into the larger drainage channels that cross the private properties to the south. A water, sewer, and natural gas line cross from
north to south across the Subject Property as show in Figure 1. C. A. Braun of Braun Environmental, Inc., inspected the site during the afternoon of October 29, 2008. The entire area
from the private property on the south to the south edge of the asphalt surface on the north was inspected. That inspection found no negative environmental conditions including evidence
of any chemical or fuel spills or any anomalous odors. As part of our research, we interviewed Bill Kennedy who has worked in the Vail area for many years. He knew of no vehicle wrecks
or any spills associated with the traffic on the highway in this area nor of any other events or incidents that would cause any negative conditions on the Subject Property Photo 1 was
taken from the west edge of the South Frontage Road and looks west along the Subject Property. The vehicles that are traveling toward the camera are moving east along the eastbound lane
of I-70. Traffic moving westbound can be seen behind them. The north edge of
I-70 Right of Way, Vail, Colorado Page 2 of 3 the Subject Property lies approximately at the base of the sloping shoulder adjacent to the asphalt road surface. The southern boundary
of the Subject Property is approximately marked by fence lines. The southern property boundary at this point is located near the fir tree located in the photo behind the turn sign that
is visible at the left side of the photo. The Vail Maintenance Yard is visible to the left of the tree at the extreme left edge of the photo. There are two posts barely visible near
the center of the photo. These posts mark a water line and a sewer line that cross the Subject Property from north to south. A natural gas line is also located in the same area. An overhead
electric power line can be seen in front of the green trees near the center of the photo. A gentle swale for drainage can be seen running westward along the center of the grassy area.
Photo 2 views west from the location of the water and sewer lines. The eastbound lane of I-70 is on on the right and the Vail Maintenance Yard is on the left. One of their on-site buildings
is visible. A brown wooden fence is located immediately to the building’s right that marks the property boundary. The grass in the photo is in good condition, having seed and is now
maturing in preparation for winter. There is no soil staining or distressed vegetation visible in the photo. It is recognized that the CDOT uses winter highway treatments in this area
and that these treatments have had no ill effects on the vegetation. In fact the grass looks very healthy. Photo 3 was taken adjacent to the large fir trees that are located in the distance
in Photo 1. The eastbound traffic lane of I-70 can be seen to the right, the sloping shoulder is in the center adjacent to the section of guardrail. The chainlink fence seen in the center
has been curved northward for ease of installation over the Red Sandstone Creek crossing. Stored items in the Vail Maintenance Yard can be seen through the chainlink fence at the left
edge edge of the photo. The gentle swale that follows the length of the Subject Property is easily seen in this photo. Photo 4 was taken at the west end of the Red Sandstone Creek I-70
Highway crossing and looks west. The shoulder has dropped off some and the eastbound side of I-70 is somewhat higher than the leveled area below it. The grass in the view is dominantly
made up of brome with several other planted varieties. The chainlike fence visible on the left side of the photograph separates the Subject Property from the private land to the south.
The greenish colored roof of the Vail Professional Building can be seen to the left (south) of the fence. A highway sign dominates the right side of the photo and a survey stake can
be seen to its left. The purpose of the survey stake has not been determined and it assumed that it is some point used by the local surveyors. Photo 5 looks east from the South Frontage
Road and shows the west end of the chainlink fence. This location of the camera is to the west of the west end of the Subject Property. Vehicles traveling in the eastbound lane of I-70
can be seen on the left and the South Frontage Road can be seen on the right. According to the surveys, the tree near the center of the photo is located within the Subject Property.
The area is vegetated with planted grasses and shows no negative environmental conditions. Photo 6 was taken from within the Vail Maintenance Yard. The wooden fence can be seen at
I-70 Right of Way, Vail, Colorado Page 3 of 3 center left and the grassy area separating the yard area from the South Frontage Road can be seen to the right center. The yard is an example
of good housekeeping and no negative environmental conditions were found within the Subject Property Braun Environmental, Inc., has inspected the above described property and based on
its inspection and on available information concludes that there are no negative environmental conditions associated with the Subject Property. If you have any questions or need any
additional information, give me a call. Sincerely, BRAUN ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. /S/C. A. Braun, P.E. enc. CAB/rl
Photo 1 Looking West from Eastern End of Subject Property Photo 2 Looking West from Area of Utility Line Crossing
Photo 3 Looking West from a Point Located Just East of Sandstone Creek Photo 4 Looking East from Just East of Sandstone Creek
Photo 5 Looking East from West End of Subject Property Photo 6 View to Northeast Showing Eastern End of Vail Maintenance Yard