SUBJECT: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District (Corps) is evaluating a proposal by the Clock Land Corporation (Sponsor) to establish the Cramer Creek Mitigation Bank (Bank). The Bank would result in the establishment of open water (ponds) and enhancement of riverine wetlands and stream banks. Details of the proposed Bank may be found in the attached Prospectus and on our RIBITS website at https://ribits.usace.army.mil. The purpose of this public notice is to inform interested parties of the proposed mitigation bank and to solicit comments.
AUTHORITY: The Bank Prospectus is being evaluated under 33 CFR Part 332.8.
SPONSOR: Mr. Patrick Esch, Clock Land Corporation, 717 Colorado Street, Springfield, CO 81073
LOCATION: The proposed 140-acre Bank would be located within the Little Horse Creek 8-digit hydrologic unit (HUC 11020008) south of State Highway 94 and west of Highway 71 in Lincoln County, Colorado. The legal description of the project center point is Section 17, Township 17S, Range 57W, Latitude/Longitude 38.568569°N, -103.91333°W.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Sponsor proposes to create a 140-acre wetland mitigation bank by establishment of approximately 27 acres of open water (ponds) and enhancement of approximately 66 acres of riverine wetlands, including a 300-foot buffer encompassing an additional 38 acres of riparian wetlands within the Lower Arkansas River Basin in Eastern Colorado. The proposed primary service area for the Bank would include the Cities of Colorado Springs and Pueblo and their respective 8-digit HUCs.
ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING: The site currently contains approximately 66 acres of shallow pond and riparian wetlands that are dominated by bulrushes (Scirpus acautus), cattails (Typha latifolia), and spike rush (Eleocharis palustris). The surrounding upland areas are characterized by sand sagebrush interspersed with short grass prairie. Historic and current land use include grazing and ranching. Additional information on the wetland and biological community can be found in the Prospectus, Exhibit 2.
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS: The Interagency Review Team (IRT) responsible for the review and approval of the proposed mitigation bank includes the Corps, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Colorado Division of Water Resources, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. As the Bank Manager, the Corps may elect to invite other federal and state agencies, as appropriate.
HISTORIC PROPERTIES: The Corps will initiate consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, as appropriate.
ENDANGERED SPECIES: The proposed activity may affect federally-listed endangered or threatened species or their critical habitat. The Corps will initiate consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, as appropriate.
The above determinations are based on information provided by the applicant and our preliminary review.
EVALUATION FACTORS: The Corps is soliciting comments from the public, federal, state, and local agencies and officials, Indian tribes, and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed activity. Any comments received will be considered by the Corps to assess impacts on endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and other public interest factors. Comments are used in the evaluation of the proposed mitigation bank per 33 CFR Part 332.8 and in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act.
SUBMITTING COMMENTS: Written comments, referencing Public Notice SPA-2011-00258-SCO must be submitted to the office listed below on or before October 24, 2018.
Albuquerque District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Southern Colorado Regulatory Office
ATTN: Joshua G. Carpenter
201 West 8th Street, Suite 350
Pueblo, Colorado 81003
Phone: (719) 744-9379
Email: Joshua.G.Carpenter@usace.army.mil
Please note that all written comments are subject to release to the public through the Freedom of Information Act.