Wildlife in Douglas Wildlife in Douglas CountyCounty

Planning for WildlifePlanning for Wildlife

Prior to PlanningPrior to Planning——DC Significantly impacted DC Significantly impacted by:by:

Previous Land Use & AbusePrevious Land Use & AbuseAlternative Land Management (e.g. fire Alternative Land Management (e.g. fire suppression, range management for grazing)suppression, range management for grazing)Noxious WeedsNoxious WeedsHuman Activity Human Activity DevelopmentDevelopment

Current ApproachCurrent Approach

Ecosystem Management not Species Ecosystem Management not Species ManagementManagement

Ecosystem MethodologyEcosystem Methodology

Large Core Habitat AreasLarge Core Habitat AreasMultiple Veg. Types Multiple Veg. Types

Connected by Corridors/Overland Connected by Corridors/Overland Connections/UnderpassesConnections/UnderpassesDesigned Anticipating Future ChangesDesigned Anticipating Future ChangesSynergySynergy

Ecosystem MethodologyEcosystem Methodology

Much Easier than Species ApproachMuch Easier than Species ApproachAccommodative to All Wildlife, not Just Accommodative to All Wildlife, not Just Select SpeciesSelect Species

Core HabitatCore Habitat

Permanently Protected Land Basis for Core Permanently Protected Land Basis for Core HabitatHabitat

Open SpaceOpen SpaceState Wildlife Areas (State Wildlife Areas (SWAsSWAs))National ForestNational ForestConservation EasementsConservation EasementsState ParksState ParksSchool SectionsSchool SectionsPrivate Open SpacePrivate Open Space

Corridors/Overland ConnectionsCorridors/Overland Connections

Rivers & StreamsRivers & StreamsNegotiated thru DevelopmentsNegotiated thru DevelopmentsProposed Improved CorridorsProposed Improved CorridorsNatural FeaturesNatural Features

Douglas Douglas County County

RCZRCZ

Highway CrossingsHighway Crossings

Over the RoadOver the Road——At WillAt WillDrainages/Bridges/TrestlesDrainages/Bridges/TrestlesCritical SitesCritical SitesSm. Mammals, Sm. Mammals, HerptilesHerptiles——Any culvertAny culvertUngulatesUngulates——Special RequirementsSpecial Requirements

Ungulate UnderpassUngulate Underpass

Openness Factor of 1Openness Factor of 1Straight ApproachStraight ApproachVegetated ApproachVegetated ApproachDaylight/Line of SightDaylight/Line of SightFenced Approach HelpsFenced Approach Helps

Culvert UnderpassCulvert Underpass

Bridge UnderpassBridge Underpass

Wildlife OverpassWildlife Overpass

DuPont Wildlife CorridorDuPont Wildlife Corridor

Douglas County Comprehensive Master Douglas County Comprehensive Master Plan Wildlife Resources MapPlan Wildlife Resources Map

Inset Area

DCDC--CMP Wildlife Resources MapCMP Wildlife Resources Map

Matchbox Underpass

DuPont Open Space

Highlands RanchOSCA

Plum Creek Corridor

Wildlife Corridor Boundary

Wildlife Corridor Boundary

Existing Bridge

Plum Creek

Highlands Ranch OSCA

E. Railroad Trestle

75-Acre Conservation Easement

W. Railroad Trestle

SW. Railroad Trestle

Existing Bridge

E. Railroad Trestle

New Hwy Alignment

CDOT Proposed Channel Realignment

Proposed CDOT Underpass

Elevated Grade

“Gauntlet” Depressed Grade

2—90˚Turns

FEIS Proposed Design

Existing Bridge

E. Railroad Trestle

New Hwy Alignment

CDOT Proposed Channel Realignment

Proposed CDOT Underpass

Elevated Grade

“Gauntlet” Depressed Grade

2—90˚Turns

FEIS Proposed Design

Proposed Constricted Line of Sight

Existing Bridge

E. Railroad Trestle

Recommended Channel Realignment

Recommended CDOT Underpass

Elevated Grade Depressed

Grade

Recommended Alternative Design

New Hwy Alignment

Existing Bridge

E. Railroad Trestle

Recommended Channel Realignment

Recommended CDOT Underpass

Elevated Grade Depressed

Grade

Recommended Alternative Design

New Hwy Alignment

Recommended Open Line of Sight

Plan Review MethodPlan Review Method

3 Tier Approach3 Tier ApproachCounty/Regional (as shown in CMP Wildlife County/Regional (as shown in CMP Wildlife Resources Map)Resources Map)LocalLocalParcelParcel

Federal ActsFederal Acts

Endangered Species Act (ESA)Endangered Species Act (ESA)Eagle ActEagle ActMigratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA)Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA)Clean Water Act (incl. 404 permitsClean Water Act (incl. 404 permits——wetlands)wetlands)National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

Requires Federal NexusRequires Federal Nexus

T & E SpeciesT & E Species

Special Consideration to T, E, SC & Candidate Special Consideration to T, E, SC & Candidate SpeciesSpecies

PMJM (T)PMJM (T)BTPD (Can) BTPD (Can) Northern Pocket Gopher (Can)Northern Pocket Gopher (Can)Leopard Frog (Can)Leopard Frog (Can)Butterfly PlantButterfly PlantUte Ladies Tresses OrchidUte Ladies Tresses OrchidPrairie Montane SkipperPrairie Montane SkipperMountain PloverMountain PloverMexican Spotted OwlMexican Spotted Owl

Conservation Tools:Conservation Tools:

Fee Title PurchaseFee Title PurchaseConservation Easement/Open Space AgreementConservation Easement/Open Space AgreementPlat Notes and RestrictionsPlat Notes and RestrictionsCovenantsCovenantsDeed RestrictionsDeed RestrictionsDedicationsDedicationsLand Management PlansLand Management PlansSite Design/MitigationSite Design/Mitigation

Avoidance, Low Density, Screening/Buffering, RestorationAvoidance, Low Density, Screening/Buffering, Restoration

Land Management Plan TemplatesLand Management Plan Templates

Grazing ManagementGrazing ManagementWeed ControlWeed ControlManure ManagementManure ManagementFencing PlanFencing Plan

Stormwater & Water QualityStormwater & Water Quality

Benefits & Improves Riparian HabitatBenefits & Improves Riparian Habitat

Before & After photos of Before & After photos of Improved Narrow ChannelImproved Narrow Channel

Innovative Conservation MethodsInnovative Conservation Methods

HritzHritz ExemptionExemption

Secured: Secured: 2 Wildlife Corridors2 Wildlife CorridorsLand Management Plan & Restriction by Plat NoteLand Management Plan & Restriction by Plat Note

Douglas County Comprehensive Master Douglas County Comprehensive Master Plan Wildlife Resources MapPlan Wildlife Resources Map

Inset Area

CMP Wildlife Resources Map InsetCMP Wildlife Resources Map Inset

Hritz Exemption

CROSSING ZONE B

Plum Creek

Corridor

Woodhouse swa

RoxboroughPark

Pike Forest

Elk in Wildlife CorridorElk in Wildlife Corridor

Elk on Hritz viewed from HWY Elk on Hritz viewed from HWY 8585

Elk HerdElk Herd

Wildlife in Douglas Wildlife in Douglas CountyCounty

Extra SlidesExtra Slides

Proposed Underpass DesignProposed Underpass Design

Proposed Underpass SimulationProposed Underpass Simulation

Eastern RR TrestleEastern RR Trestle (Looking West)(Looking West)

Western RR TrestleWestern RR Trestle (Looking East)(Looking East)

SW RR TrestleSW RR Trestle (Looking West)(Looking West)

PMJM Habitat Conservation PlanPMJM Habitat Conservation Plan

Covers all Projected Capital Construction Covers all Projected Capital Construction Projects in Douglas County & 2 Towns for 10 Projects in Douglas County & 2 Towns for 10 yearsyearsContributed to PMJM Conservation 1 Large & Contributed to PMJM Conservation 1 Large & 1 Medium Population1 Medium PopulationMapped Riparian Conservation Zone (RCZ)Mapped Riparian Conservation Zone (RCZ)——Essentially PMJM habitat in nonEssentially PMJM habitat in non--federal federal portions of Douglas Countyportions of Douglas County