Wildlife
CONIFER/285 AREA CORRIDOR PLAN LANGUAGE
These are the existing goals and policies in the Conifer/285
Corridor Area Community Plan.
ACTION
Action options:

Keep in Area
Plan

Modify/Add to CMP

Remove, covered by
CMP

Remove, covered by regulations

Remove, other reason
REASON FOR ACTION
Why staff is proposing the specified action.
Introduction language
The presence of wildlife is a treasured community resource.
Diversity of wildlife reflects the health of the ecosystem and fosters a sense of community for residents.
Goal
Preserve wildlife habitat and promote biodiversity.
Policies
A. Wildlife Habitat Protection
Keep in Area Plan
Keep in Area Plan But make this a Policy.
1. Maximum Wildlife Quality a. In most cases, no development should occur in areas of maximum wildlife quality . Occasional exceptions may be appropriate as determined through consultation with the Colorado Division of
Wildlife. A transfer of density , as specified in the Glossary, may be used when the following criteria are met:
1) Excellent site design is achieved with a high degree of conformance with the Design Guidelines and county design standards;
2) The wildlife sensitivity area is designated as a “no build” area or open
space;
3) The property meets the Plan definition; and
4) Other recommendations of the Plan can be met. b. Maximum wildlife quality areas are:
1) Riparian areas, i.e., land along the banks of a stream or other body of water;
2) Wetland habitats not protected within riparian areas;
3) Important habitat for threatened, endangered, sensitive or species of special concern on the Colorado Division of Wildlife list; and
4) Bighorn sheep lambing areas.
Remove, covered by CMP
Remove, covered by CMP
CMP language:
Development Services Section, Wildlife element, p. 46:
A. General
2. Avoid development in Maximum/Critical Quality Wildlife Areas. Transfer the density that would have been allowed in these areas to other portions of the site.
3. If development cannot be avoided in Maximum/Critical Quality Wildlife Areas, disturbances should be minimized and the remaining habitat Preserved.
CMP language:
Glossary, p. 132
Maximum/Critical Quality Wildlife Areas: Large contiguous, undisturbed, undeveloped areas, with little or no human influence, that are dominated by native vegetation. These areas are essential to the continued presence of certain species.
These areas are:
• Riparian areas, i.e., land along the banks of a stream or other bodies of water
• Wetland habitats not protected within riparian areas
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CONIFER/285 AREA CORRIDOR PLAN LANGUAGE
3.
Development density in areas of b.
Moderate Wildlife Quality
Other moderately sensitive areas defined by the Colorado
Division of Wildlife.
moderate wildlife quality, that is, areas that are moderately susceptible to impacts from development, should not exceed 1 dwelling unit per 7 acres when excellent design and siting considerations are implemented, and 1 dwelling unit per 20 acres when average or no attention is given to design or siting. These areas are: a. Winter range for deer, elk, and turkeys; and
2. High Wildlife Quality
Development density in areas of high wildlife quality should not exceed 1 dwelling unit per 10 acres when excellent design and siting considerations are implemented, and 1 dwelling unit per 35 acres when average or no attention is given to design and siting. (See the transfer of density alternative in the Glossary.) These areas are: a. Severe winter range for deer and elk, i.e., that part of the winter range where 90% of the individuals are located when the annual snow pack is at its maximum in the two worst winters out of ten; b. c. d. e.
Winter concentration areas for deer and elk;
Elk calving areas;
Deer and elk migration corridors;
Bighorn sheep habitat; f. g.
Raptor nesting areas;
Mountain meadows: minimum of 1 acre of moist, tall, grassy meadow in the midst of a forested area; h. Aspen stands (minimum size of 1/4 acre); i. j.
Major shrub concentrations (minimum size of 1/2 acre);
Unusual rock outcrops, i.e., rock outcrops that rise abruptly at a sharp angle from the ground creating a variety of uncommon wildlife habitats and that are a minimum of 300 feet in any dimension; and k. “Hogback” habitats (only on the northeastern edge of the Plan area).
ACTION
Remove, Covered by CMP and other reasons
Remove, Covered by CMP and other reasons
REASON FOR ACTION
• Important habitats for threatened, endangered, or species of special concern on the CDOW list
• Elk Production Areas
• Bighorn Sheep Production Areas
• Raptor nesting areas
Add language to the Land Use chapter that discusses what density recommendations were used for each physical constraint to determine the recommended density for each parcel. This language would include more than just wildlife, but also slope and wildfire hazards. If an area was outside of an activity center and designated as high wildlife quality habitat, staff used a density recommendation of 1 dwelling per 10 acres, like the current plan recommends.
CMP language:
Development Services Section, Wildlife element, p. 46:
A. General
4. New Development in Moderate and High Quality Wildlife Areas should provide for Wildlife movement and access to critical habitat and feeding areas.
5. New Development within mapped Maximum/Critical or High Quality Wildlife Areas should contact the Colorado Division of
Wildlife for verification of habitat status and suggestions for Mitigation. If habitat is verified, recommendations for Mitigation from the Colorado Division of Wildlife should be addressed.
Glossary, p. 133:
High Quality Wildlife Areas: Undeveloped areas that provide habitat for wildlife with native vegetation, and have little or no permanent or constant human presence. These are high impact areas with prime habitat, important habitat features, feeding areas, and shelter.
Primary habitat areas:
• Severe winter range for elk ,deer, and bighorn sheep
• Winter concentration areas for elk and deer
• Elk, deer, and bighorn sheep migration corridors
• Black bear fall concentration areas
Important habitat features:
• Mountain meadows
• Aspen stands
• Major shrub concentrations
• Unusual rock outcrops and the immediate surrounding area with high wildlife value
Staff did not use a density of 1 dwelling unit per 7 acres for areas of Moderate Wildlife Quality Habitat. These areas can mitigate impacts to wildlife by providing movement and access to critical habitat and feeding areas. This may be better achieved through restrictions on the location of building envelopes and fencing rather than a density restriction.
CMP language:
Development Services Section, Wildlife element, p. 46:
A. General
4. New Development in Moderate and High Quality Wildlife Areas should provide for Wildlife movement and access to critical habitat and feeding areas.
5. New Development within mapped Maximum/Critical or High Quality Wildlife Areas should contact the Colorado Division of
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CONIFER/285 AREA CORRIDOR PLAN LANGUAGE ACTION REASON FOR ACTION
Wildlife for verification of habitat status and suggestions for Mitigation. If habitat is verified, recommendations for Mitigation from the Colorado Division of Wildlife should be addressed.
Glossary, p. 133:
Moderate Quality Wildlife Areas: Areas that provide wildlife habitat but are also subject to moderate levels of human presence and development, and may or may not be dominated by native vegetation. Food, water, and protective cover exist in these areas, and are important transitional and support habitats for maximum and high wildlife quality areas. These areas may include:
• Winter range
• Migration patterns
• Black bear summer concentration areas
• Great blue heron foraging areas
• Deer highway crossings
• Wild turkey winter concentration areas
Staff did not use a density of 1 dwelling unit per 5 acres for areas of Secondary Wildlife Quality Habitat. These areas have already been strongly influenced by human development and other development constraints may restrict the more.
Glossary, p. 133:
Secondary Quality Wildlife Areas: Areas that are strongly influenced by human development but may also provide some wildlife habitat, and may or may not be dominated by native vegetation.
4. Secondary Wildlife Quality
Development density in secondary wildlife quality areas, that is, areas that generally support wildlife, should not exceed 1 dwelling unit per 5 acres when excellent design and siting considerations are implemented, and 1 dwelling unit per 7 acres when average or no consideration is given to design or siting. This area is: a. All of the Plan area not covered by the above categories, except for highly degraded areas of little value to wildlife.
5. Invasive noxious weeds should be controlled by the property owner, in conformance with federal, state and county regulations, to protect wildlife habitat and native plant areas.
Remove, other reasons
6. Animal crossings should be reviewed when roadway-widening projects are proposed. (See Transportation section, D. Aesthetics and
Wildlife.)
Remove, covered by CMP and other reasons
Remove, covered by CMP
Keep in Area Plan
The Colorado Noxious Weed Act requires certain weeds to be eradicated, contained or controlled, depending on which list the weed is on.
CMP language:
Development Services Section, Wildlife element, p. 46:
A. General
7. Protect vegetation important to Wildlife.
CMP language:
Long Range Planning Issues Section, Habitats element, p. 71
E. Transportation and Wildlife
2. Consider Wildlife corridors when planning road construction projects and, where practicable, incorporate Wildlife bridges or crossings and signage into design.
B. Public/Private Open Space Network
1. There should be a public and private open space network to ensure the continued presence of wildlife in the Conifer/285 Corridor
Area. This could be achieved through purchase of public open space , or through voluntary private actions which are described in the Open
Space & Recreation section of this Plan.
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2. Higher value wildlife habitat areas should be given a priority for acquisition/protection.
C. Reservoirs
Wildlife recommendations are included in the Reservoirs section of this
Plan.
D. Habitat Connections/Wildlife Movement Areas
1. The Colorado Division of Wildlife should periodically conduct an analysis of the Plan’s currently protected habitats and larger areas of undeveloped habitats. The goal of the analysis would be to identify areas of higher value habitat which are either already protected from development or are a high priority for preservation, and to determine if connecting corridors need to be protected to allow continued wildlife movements.
2. When important corridors or key unprotected parcels are identified, they could be given protection under an appropriate category in section A. Wildlife Habitat Protection, of this chapter.
E. Development Review Process
1. Because wildlife populations and their habitats change over time, and mapping of wildlife use areas and habitats is sometimes imprecise, these density recommendations and their significance in the review process may change.
ACTION
Remove, covered by CMP
Remove, other reasons
Keep in Area Plan
Keep in Area Plan This should be a part of Policy 1 above. It does not make sense if evaluated separately.
Remove, covered by CMP
Remove, other reasons
REASON FOR ACTION
CMP language:
Development Services Section, Open Space and Open Land element, p. 51:
A. Preservation Interests
1. If a New Development is proposed on a site with the following attributes, the portion of the property with the attributes should be considered for preservation: b) Maximum/Critical Quality Wildlife Areas c) Riparian zones i) Unique vegetation
If a reservoir is proposed the Reservoirs section will be evaluated. This does not need to reference that section.
CMP language:
Development Services Section, Wildlife element, p. 46:
A. General
5. New Development within mapped Maximum/Critical or High Quality Wildlife Areas should contact the Colorado Division of
Wildlife for verification of habitat status and suggestions for Mitigation. If habitat is verified, recommendations for Mitigation from the Colorado Division of Wildlife should be addressed.
Jefferson County Planning & Zoning does not manage wildlife. Any wildlife recommendations should be reflected in either this
Plan or in the Comprehensive Master Plan. Those practices will be reviewed with any rezoning case.
2. Wildlife management practices should reflect the recommendations of this Plan. Jefferson County, in consultation with the
Colorado Division of Wildlife, should be responsible for changing these recommendations through the Community Plan amendment process or at rezoning, if sufficient and adequate site-specific studies indicate that the resource area has changed.
F. Division of Wildlife Assistance
The Division of Wildlife can provide mapped information on wildlife distributions, significant habitats, and wildlife movement areas. In addition, the Division of Wildlife can provide advice on densities,
Remove, covered by CMP
CMP language:
Development Services Section, Wildlife element, p. 46:
A. General
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CONIFER/285 AREA CORRIDOR PLAN LANGUAGE minimum lot sizes needed to protect wildlife habitat, and other ways to reduce impacts of development. Impacts on game and non-game species should be considered.
G. Maintaining Areas for Big Game Hunting
1. As development has encroached on much of the Plan area, opportunities for hunting of deer and elk have been reduced, making it more difficult to control populations of these species.
2. Decisions made under this Plan should take into account the importance of maintaining areas where big game hunting can continue to help reduce problems of overpopulation of these species. Safety should be the primary consideration.
ACTION
Remove, other reasons
REASON FOR ACTION
5. New Development within mapped Maximum/Critical or High Quality Wildlife Areas should contact the Colorado Division of
Wildlife for verification of habitat status and suggestions for Mitigation. If habitat is verified, recommendations for Mitigation from the Colorado Division of Wildlife should be addressed.
This is not a policy, but an informational statement.
Remove, covered by CMP
Remove, other reasons
CMP language:
Long Range Planning Issues Section, Habitats, p. 71:
C. Management of Wildlife
1. Support efforts by the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to manage Wildlife populations and
Wildlife Habitat lands.
2. Maintain areas where big game hunting can continue, to help reduce problems with overpopulation of these species.
This is a statement, not a policy that would be applicable to a rezoning case. 3. State regulations apply to hunting on public and private properties. (See Appendix.)
H. Wildlife Population Control
The Colorado Division of Wildlife or other agency should research wildlife population control methods to be considered for incorporation into this Plan and future Plan updates.
I. Wildlife Human Conflicts
Residents of the Plan area, old and new, should be made aware of potential wildlife/human conflicts and ways to avoid them.
1. Notices should be posted when residents know that black bears and mountain lions are in the area.
2. Hay should be stored so that wildlife is not attracted to it.
3.
4.
Household refuse should be securely stored.
Pets should be protected from predators and prevented from
Remove, covered by CMP
Remove, covered by CMP
Remove, other reasons
CMP language:
Long Range Planning Issues Section, Habitats, p. 71:
C. Management of Wildlife
1. Support efforts by the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to manage Wildlife populations and
Wildlife Habitat lands.
CMP language:
Long Range Planning Issues Section, Outreach, p. 83:
A. General
2. Support measures to educate the public on ways to coexist with Wildlife.
Additionally, Planning & Z oning’s Mountain Living Checklist brochure has a section titled “Constrains that exist where wildlife is present”.
This is not policy that would be implemented with a rezoning, but rather educational information.
Remove, other reasons
Remove, other reasons
Remove, other
This is not a policy that would be implemented with a rezoning, but rather educational information. This is noted in the
Mountain Living Checklist, which is an educational brochure about living in the mountains. That document is the more appropriate place for this information.
This is not a policy that would be implemented with a rezoning, but rather educational information. This is noted in the
Mountain Living Checklist, which is an educational brochure about living in the mountains. That document is the more appropriate place for this information.
This is not a policy that would be implemented with a rezoning, but rather educational information. This is noted in the
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CONIFER/285 AREA CORRIDOR PLAN LANGUAGE roaming free to harass or kill wildlife.
5. Boundary fences should be designed to allow for safe movement of wildlife.
ACTION reasons
Remove, covered by CMP
6. Wildlife should not be fed.
Design Guidelines
Development should comply with Design Guidelines for wildlife issues.
References
Please note: This document is a guide for future land use and does not affect existing zoning and development. n
Remove, other reasons
Remove, other reasons
REASON FOR ACTION
Mountain Living Checklist, which is an educational brochure about living in the mountains. That document is the more appropriate place for this information.
CMP language:
Development Services Section, Wildlife element, p. 46:
A. General
6. Minimize the use of fencing that is exclusionary or dangerous to Wildlife, except when required for human safety, for protection of at-risk crops, or for domestic animal containment. All other fencing in High and Moderate Quality Wildlife Areas should be Wildlife-Friendly.
This is not a policy that would be implemented with a rezoning, but rather educational information. This is noted in the
Mountain Living Checklist, which is an educational brochure about living in the mountains. That document is the more appropriate place for this information.
The design guidelines should be reviewed for applicability in all situations, including road improvements.
Remove, covered by CMP.
CMP Language:
Introduction, How to Use this Plan:
This Plan applies to unincorporated areas where the County has land use authority. It is used to guide land use decisions made by the Jefferson County Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners. The CMP is advisory in nature.
Adoption of the CMP does not change existing zoning.
The CMP, in conjunction with the appropriate community plans, Comprehensive Development Plans and special plans, is used to evaluate proposals for a change in land use, such as rezonings and site approvals. Proposed changes in land use should generally conform to the Plan’s Goals, Policies and maps.
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