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NATURAL
SYSTEMS
VISION
STATEMENT
A
healthy community that appreciates the exceptional visual
qualities of its natural systems and wildlife and is responsive
to the opportunities and constraints they pose. This is
a community where development can coexist harmoniously
with the environment and a diverse habitat.
GUIDING
PRINCIPLES
- Identify
and protect wildlife, sensitive natural areas, and unique
landscape features.
- Identify
geological hazards and their potential risks to development.
- Reward
responsible stewardship.
Photo:
Monument Lake looking southwest to the Front Range. Courtesy:
Andy de Naray
BACKGROUND
The natural environment is made up of four primary "spheres"
including the lithosphere (rocks, minerals and geology),
the hydrosphere (water features), the atmosphere (air)
and the biosphere (life; animals/plants). It is the interplay
between these spheres that creates the unique natural
systems and features which characterize the Tri-lakes
area.
Geology
and Soils:
The 1983 Tri-Lakes Plan extensively described and mapped
soils and topography in the planning region. This system
has not changed and the 1983 Study is available in a technical
appendix from this Plan.
The
geology of the Tri-Lakes area varies greatly from west
to east, changing to a lesser degree from north to south.
To the west, the geology is dominated by the Pikes Peak
Granite of the Rocky Mountains composed of very old and
massive igneous rocks which have been abruptly uplifted
to their present position. Along this uplift, the younger
layers of sedimentary strata associated with the Denver
Basin formation have been tilted at high angles. Further
east, these sedimentary units lie in a more horizontal
orientation. While the physical orientation of the planning
area is obviously dominated by the north-south alignment
of the Rampart Range, the high point of the Denver Basin
formation also exerts a major impact in the form of the
east-west Palmer Divide. Generally, the underlying geologic
units in the planning area become younger as one moves
north and east. However, in many parts of the planning
area, and especially along Monument Creek, the underlying
strata are buried by more recent unconsolidated alluvial
(stream-deposited) and colluvial (gravity and sheet-deposited)
materials. Many of the sedimentary rock formations in
the planning area contain paleontologically important
features like fossils of large vertebrates including dinosaurs
and other extinct species. Some of these fossils are federally-protected.
The
varied geology of the planning area gives rise to many
different landscape features and soil types, each supporting
distinctive combinations of flora and fauna and have different
physical characteristics that can impact development.
Areas of transitional geology are significant in that
they often provide unusual and interesting natural areas
and can be too unstable for building.
Hydrology
Tri-Lakes is situated near the top of the Palmer Divide
which influences the directional flow of surface water
either to the Platte River drainage basin on the north
or to the Arkansas River basin to the south. Within the
planning area, surface hydrology is dominated by Monument
Creek which has its headwaters in the far northern part
of the planning area and flows in a southerly direction
through Monument Valley emptying into Fountain Creek.
A portion of the eastern part of the planning area drains
in a northerly direction to the Cherry Creek drainage
basin which then flows into the Platte River basin.
Unlike
many of the streams in El Paso County, Monument Creek
flows year-round. As a rule of thumb, the streams originating
in the mountains flow permanently, while the streams in
the eastern half of the planning area flow only at certain
times of the year. Due to a combination of topography,
soils, and climate, the streams in the Tri-Lakes area
are prone to flash flooding, erosion, and deposition.
Most
of the lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and impoundments in the
planning area are man made. These include Lake Woodmoor,
Monument Lake, Palmer Lake, the upper reservoirs in Palmer
Lake, the two impoundments in Forest Lakes, and a variety
of smaller impoundments, many of which were developed
with the assistance of the Soil Conservation Service.
Over the years, many of these water bodies have evolved
into important wildlife habitats.
Underlying
the surface hydrology of the planning area is a somewhat
complicated system of bedrock and near-surface groundwater
aquifers. In terms of flow direction, this system closely
parallels but does not exactly match the surface topography.
Groundwater is addressed in more detail in the Water Resources
(WR) Section.
Plants
and Wildlife
Located between the High Plains and the Rocky Mountains,
Tri-Lakes is also considered a transitional zone for flora
and fauna. It is home to a diversity of unique plant and
animal species. The Colorado State Forest Service has
classified the vegetation types in Tri-Lakes into five
major groups.
The
ecosystem groupings are unlike any other in El Paso County.
Habitats within the planning area range from sub-alpine
systems to semi-arid high plains. The Ponderosa Pine ecosystem
along the Palmer Divide is a dominant feature, as is the
riparian ecosystems found along the region's many creeks,
wetlands and lakes. Native plants and water features are
of vital importance for the wildlife that dwell and migrate
annually along the Front Range flyway. Important plant
associations include stands of scrub oak, forested areas
of ponderosa pines, and remnant tall grass prairies. Critical
habitats for several wildlife species have been mapped
and are included in the County's Wildlife Habitat Maps
and Descriptors (1996), an amendment to the County's Master
Plan.
In
1998 the Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse has been listed
as a threatened species* by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service under the Federal Endangered Species Act. Several
of the stream corridors in the planning area have been
identified as prime habitat for this species. Work began
in 1999 on a cooperative process with the objective of
maintaining a viable population of this mouse while allowing
land development and related activities to continue.
Geologic
and Other Natural Hazards and Constraints
In addition to land development activities having an effect
on natural systems, the reverse is also true. Natural
factors can also influence how or whether an area should
be developed. In the extreme case, natural hazards can
present a significant risk to life and property.
The
State of Colorado requires that the Geologic Survey**
provide a site review for each subdivision application.
According to the Colorado Geologic Survey the most prominent
problem observed in the planning area is the erosive characteristics
of the coarse- grained Dawson soils. Evidence of the erosive
characteristic of these soils can be observed at many
construction sites, along road cuts, on steep grades where
buildings have been constructed and in the deep gullies
that form on hillsides below excavated sites. Once vegetation
has been removed, preventing and containing soil erosion
is an on-going and labor-intensive process. Re-establishing
native vegetation on eroded soils can be difficult and
may take years.
Expansive
clay soils*** occur in the Dawson bedrock and in the residual
soils often associated with mountain valleys and on the
plains. Expansive soils will often occur in pocket-type
deposits and when wetted these soils may swell to many
times their original volume. Even small increases in soil
expansion can be extremely destructive to roads, building
foundations, and underground infrastructure, and therefore,
one of the most widespread and costly to maintain.
A
problem that occurs infrequently is hydrocompaction. This
occurs generally in two types of soil. Wind deposited
silts (loess) or fine-grained colluvial soils, occasionally
encountered in Tri-Lakes. hydrocompaction produces ground
surface collapse from excessive wetting of certain low-density
weak soils. Such excessive wetting can occur from irrigation,
broken water lines, surface ponding, or drainage diversions.
ISSUE
NS.1 PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION OF NATURAL SYSTEMS
Tri-Lakes
continues to attract growth and development. When good
stewardship principles are used, development activities
do not degrade the natural landscape, alter wildlife habitat,
or interrupt migratory patterns.
Future
growth projections indicate that much of the currently
vacant land, often viewed by current residents as open
space, will in all likelihood be developed within the
next 20 years. Exceptions to this are areas such as the
Air Force Academy and Pike National Forest which will
in all probability remain largely undeveloped. These lands,
along with the planning area's relatively low-density
development patterns, currently function as protection
of open space values.
Photo:
Monument Lake Courtesy: Andy de Naray
Area
residents have noted a decline in wildlife since the 1983
Plan. Because wildlife habitat requirements are fairly
specific, it would stand to reason that development would
displace at least a percentage of wildlife. However, the
County has no consistent means of tracking specific loss
of habitat nor incremental impacts to wildlife and vegetation.
Often,
people will note that when they moved to Tri-Lakes there
was an abundance of wildlife; but now that more area has
been developed they believe that wildlife has dwindled.
Because wildlife habitat requirements are fairly specific,
it would stand to reason that development would displace
at least a percentage of wildlife. However, the County
has no consistent means of tracking specific loss of habitat
and incremental impacts to wildlife and vegetation.
GOAL
To protect and enhance Tri-lakes' wildlife, natural
systems, and the unique landscape features.
Photo:
Mule Deer Fawn, Courtesy of the USAF Academy
OBJECTIVES
NS.1.1
Encourage good stewardship principles. of the natural
environment.
NS.1.2
Encourage use of conservation easements to preserve and
protect natural systems.
NS.1.3
Consider the protection of wildlife corridors and landscape
features when contemplating requests for development,
re-zoning, and/or special use or variances requests.
NS.1.4
Consider the erosive characteristics of the coarse-grained
soils and define and govern measures necessary to prevent
erosion or to contain soils within construction limits.
NS.1.5
Consult the El Paso County Mineral Plan when development
is requested and consider protection of the identified
geological resources.
NS.1.6
Discourage construction practices that significantly alter
the landscape, destroy natural vegetation or result in
erosion.
NS.1.7
Consider the protection of designated or listed species
under the applicable Federal Endangered Species Act and/or
Colorado Nongame Endangered or Threatened Species Conservation
Act when contemplating requests for recreational facilities,
development, re-zoning, and/or special use or variance
requests.
PROPOSED
ACTIONS
NS.1.8
Identify, prioritize, and develop a plan for the protection
of the wildlife, native vegetation, and landscape features
of the planning area.
NS.1.9
Periodically update the County's Wildlife Inventory Mapping.
NS.1.10
Comply with all applicable federal and state regulations
pertaining to geologic, archaeological, and wildlife resources
to assure that they are preserved and protected.
NS.1.11
Amend the El Paso County Subdivision Regulations to include
the provision for an erosion control plan as a condition
of the final plat in an effort to prevent erosion and
deposition of soils.
NS.1.12
Assess damages to those responsible for off-site soil
erosion and deposition.
NS.1.13
Modify the County's development review process to
encourage implementation of best management construction
practices****.
NS.1.14
Initiate an annual program that will recognize and reward
people and organizations for using and/or endorsing responsible
land use practices and exemplary stewardship.
NS.1.15
Develop and implement a Habitat Conservation Plan to protect
and establish a viable population of the Preble's Meadow
Jumping Mouse and other appropriate species designated
or listed under the applicable Federal Endangered Species
Act and/or Colorado Nongame Endangered or Threatened Species
Conservation Act.
ISSUE
NS.2 GEOLOGICAL HAZARDS
Geologic
hazards most often are manifested when soils become disturbed
either due to natural forces or unnatural manipulation,
such as construction. For instance, most soils and bedrock
are fairly stable under normal conditions. They tend to
become unstable when vegetative cover is removed or when
water changes soil consistency or composition. When disturbed
either by man-made or natural forces, unstable soils can
become hazardous.
Photo:
Example of Erosive soils. Courtesy: Andy de Naray
Safeguards,
such as the ability to obtain a mortgage or homeowners
insurance, help to protect homeowners against some natural
hazards. However, homeowners insurance generally does
not cover property or structural damage due to geologic
hazards such as flooding, erosion, or inappropriate soils.
Warning systems for fire or weather related natural hazards
would be ineffectual due to the dispersed character of
the planning area.
Many
residents who move to the area are unaware of the geologic
risk. The sides of mountains, forested areas and stream
corridors are often desirable housing locations, but these
areas have inherent risks. Residents have been surprised
to find higher than EPA acceptable levels for radon gas*****
due to the area's granitic soils.
Although
information pertaining to many geologic hazards, such
as the potential for wildfires, problematic soils, and
steep slopes, may outline the overall problems and risks
associated with then, hazards are often unique and specific
to each development site.
GOAL
Reduce the potential for property damage and risk
to public safety due to the harmful effects of geological
hazards.
OBJECTIVES
NS.2.1
Carefully consider the possibility for property damage
or personal injury resulting from geological hazards that
exist in the planning area.
NS
2.2 Consider the impacts from extreme weather conditions
such as high winds, heavy snows/hail, rain, lightning,
and occasional irregular temperature extremes.
NS.2.3
Provide information to residents and developers regarding
the potential for liabilities associated with locating
in areas identified as having geological hazards.
PROPOSED
ACTIONS
NS.2.4
Identify, locate, categorize, and inventory potential
geological hazards.
NS.2.5
Establish guidelines for building in geological hazard
sensitive areas.
ISSUE
NS.3 WILD FIRE
Wild
land fire (Lavelett)
Wild
land fires are a natural occurrence in both forested and
open grassland areas along the Front Range. In a natural
setting, periodic wildfires are considered to be beneficial
as they reduce the buildup of debris and recycle nutrients
to the soils of the mountainous ecosystem. However, as
growth and development occur along the Front Range, wild
land fire potential can become a significant liability
to residents, wildlife, and firefighters.
Forests
are often protected in residential development through
covenants but forest management is generally left up to
individual owners. At one time, there was a national effort
to prevent forest fires, but it has been found that the
absence of fire can be a catastrophic problem. Whereas
in the pre-settlement era there may have been 25 trees
per acre due to natural burns eliminating the undergrowth,
today it is not unusual to find more than 300 trees per
acre due to poor management techniques or neglect. Many
problems are associated with overgrown forest. In addition
to greater risk for hotter and more intense fires having
the potential to destroy property and lives as well as
permanently alter the forest eco-system, denser tree stands
also promote the spread of disease and pests.
Wildfire
risk in the planning area varies from the low to moderate
category in some grassland areas, to high in forested
areas where high fuel build-up, steep slopes with southern
exposures may contribute to extreme conditions. Information
illustrating how to reduce the risk from wildfire is available
from all the fire districts in the planning area.
GOAL
To encourage the use of proven management techniques
that ensure the ongoing health of the area's natural
vegetation while reducing the potential for property
damage and risk to public safety due to wild land fires.
OBJECTIVES
NS
3.1 Consider establishing an area-wide plan for
forest management and wildfire prevention.
NS
3.2 Encourage private and public landowners to
manage their property by maintaining the undergrowth,
a diversity of species, ages, and stand densities to serve
as a natural deterrent to pest, noxious weeds, and fire
outbreaks.
NS
3.3 Where possible, encourage mitigation of the
potential wildfire danger or at least provide property
owners with available information to protect themselves.
This should include the following information:
- Establishment
of a minimum of 30' wide "defensible space"
around building structures.
- Removal
of dead/diseased trees and shrubs, and all tree limbs
within 5' of the ground.
- Management
and removal of understory materials that build up over
time.
- Regular
cleaning and inspection of fireplace flues and stove
pipes.
- Disposal
of fireplace ash in metal-covered containers placed
away from flammable materials/areas.
- Regular
maintenance of roof, gutters and eaves.
- Installation
of smoke detectors on every level of the house with
several ABC-type fire extinguishers throughout the house,
garage and outbuildings.
- Supply
a ready and available water supply with a garden hose
and nozzle (protected from freezing) that can reach
all portions of the house******.
NS
3.4 Where possible support natural methods of
vegetation management including controlled burns.
PROPOSED
ACTIONS
NS
3.5 Evaluate the risk for wildfire as part of
the subdivision site plan review process and/or when reviewing
individual building sites during the application for a
building permit.
NS
3.6 Identify and map the specific areas of wildland-urban
interface where the risks from wildfires may be the greatest.
The public should have easy access to this map.
NS.3.7
Develop and implement area-wide and parcel-specific Wildfire
Mitigation Plans in zones identified as having high wildfire
potential.
NS.3.8
Specifically address site suitability, accessibility,
fuel management, and water supply availability for fire
suppression as a condition of the final plat.
ISSUE
NS.4 WEED AND PEST MANAGEMENT
Counties
are required by the State to develop and enforce weed
and pest management plans for all unincorporated lands
under their jurisdiction. The Tri-Lakes area is at greater
risk for noxious weeds than many areas of the County due
to the fact that two major regional highways, I-25 and
SH 83, act as conveyors of foreign seeds and pests.
Photo:
El Paso County
The
noxious weed problem has spread beyond the highway right-of-way
in the Tri-Lakes area. The spread of noxious weed is compounded
due to a number of practices where erosive-soils are significantly
disturbed and ground cover removed. Overgrazing, soil
compaction, and a lack of an effective program to control
the spread of these weeds compound this problem. Non-native
plant species tend to spread rapidly and crowd out native
plant species, upon which area wildlife rely for their
survival.
The
County's Forestry and Noxious Weeds Department provides
roadside spraying of noxious weeds. This program has been
most effective in stopping the spread of or in controlling
noxious weeds when property owners and home owners associations
have joined the County in controlling noxious weeds on
private property. Other than through enforcement there
are no programs to encourage property owners and developers
to control weeds. Construction practices such as over-lot
grading perpetuate the spread of noxious weeds and this
problem can be compounded by the fact that many property
owners are not aware of the problem and consider some
weeds such as the Canadian thistle to be pretty flowers.
To ensure an effective control program everyone must be
aware of the problem and participate.
The
County's Land Development Code does not specifically address
land use practices associated with the spread of noxious
weeds. For instance, over lot grading, contaminated fill,
erosion, soil compaction, removal of vegetation all can
contribute to the spread of noxious weeds. When construction
sites are disturbed, seeds that lie dormant under the
surface may be spread to other properties via vehicles
leaving construction sites. Often residents reside on
rural properties of 2.5- to 5-acres so that they can own
horses. Because there is no limitation on the number of
horses allowed, in some cases the soils have been compacted
and disturbed beyond the land's carrying capacity, setting
up a situation where noxious weeds become established.
Once established, noxious weeds are difficult to control
and spread to surrounding properties.
Many
areas within the Ponderosa Pine forest are infested with
mountain pine beetle or dwarf mistletoe. Mountain Pine
Beetles bore through the bark into the cambium, where
the female lays eggs. Larvae feed on the cambium, fill
galleries with debris, pupate, and leave as adults during
July and August.
Beetle
infestation can kill thousands of trees annually. Mistletoe
is a seed-bearing parasite that can infest ponderosa and
reduce growth, ruin wood for lumber, lower seed production,
and eventually kill its host. Forest management practices
are the best way to control mistletoe that is most likely
to infest older growth timber or stands of trees that
are in a stressed condition. Prior to development, natural
fires controlled the undergrowth in forest and effectively
controlled parasitic plant hosts. Residential development
severely limits the methods available for effective forest
management. Once mistletoe is established in developed
areas, the most effective method of eradication is to
remove the infested branches or trees and replace them
with other species. If uncontrolled, mistletoe will spread
to surrounding trees and eventually infect and diminish
the forested areas.
Many
areas within the forest have are experiencing problems
with mistletoe and mountain pine beetle. Generally the
problem is left to individual property owners to control
but many are unaware they have a problem or unwilling
to commit to correcting the problem.
GOAL
Ensure that weed and pest management is available
at a level commensurate with local needs and circumstances.
OBJECTIVES
NS.4.1
Support Best Management Practices including chemical,
mechanical, biological, and/or cultural control for noxious
weeds; chemical, physical, and cultural control for vertebrate
pests; and, chemical, biological and/or cultural control
for insects.
NS.4.2
Encourage a community-wide approach to planning for and
implementing a program to effectively address noxious
weed and pest management.
NS.4.3
Encourage the use of certified weed-free products such
as topsoil, fill-soil, hay, mulch, gravel, bedding material
and general construction material.
NS.4.4
Consider amending the Land Development Code to limit the
number animals and/or livestock per parcel size due to
the significant impact these animals have on healthy stands
of protective vegetation.
PROPOSED
ACTIONS
NS.4.5
Develop a specific plan to effectively deal with all aspects
of weeds and pests in the Tri-Lakes planning area.
NS.4.6
Provide informational materials and assistance to private
landowners to assist them in developing and implementing
management plans to control and eradicate noxious weeds
and pests.
NS.4.7
Continue to support and enhance the County's Forestry
and Noxious Weed program by encouraging additional personnel
in order to reach more citizens and aid them in identification
and methods of control. to effectively eradicate noxious
weeds and pests.
____________
*
Threaten Species: (definition needed)
**Geologic
Survey: (information needed)
***"Expansive
Soil and Rock": Legal definition (HB 1041, 106-7-103(6)):
means soils and rock which contains clay and which expands
to a significant degree upon wetting and shrinks upon
drying.
GLOSSARY
- FOOT NOTES
****Construction
Best Management Practices for Erosion and Sedimentation
Control: Denver Regional council of Governments, Urban
Drainage and Flood Control District, and the Colorado
Department of Transportation; February 1998. This notebook
and video emphasizes environmental and economic benefits
and requirements regarding erosion and sedimentation control
on construction sites.
*****Radon
Gas: Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas
that is the result from the decay of uranium in the soil.
The gas is produced when uranium in the soil decays to
radium and the radium decays into the gas called radon.
When radon gas is then breathed in from the air and enters
the lungs it has the potential to cause lung cancer. The
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has set a guideline
for safety levels of radon in homes, buildings and schools.
Home testing kits are available through several distributors.
It is thought that long exposure to radon is more damaging
than the level.
******For
more information contact the Colorado State Forest Service
(303-660-9625) and your local fire district.
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