DOCSLIB.ORG

San Luis Valley Conservation Area Land Protection Plan, Colorado And

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
San Luis Valley Conservation Area Land Protection Plan, Colorado And Land Protection Plan San Luis Valley Conservation Area Colorado and New Mexico December 2015 Prepared by San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex 8249 Emperius Road Alamosa, CO 81101 719 / 589 4021 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 6, Mountain-Prairie Region Branch of Refuge Planning 134 Union Boulevard, Suite 300 Lakewood, CO 80228 303 / 236 8145 CITATION for this document: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2015. Land protection plan for the San Luis Valley Conservation Area. Lakewood, CO: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 151 p. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service policy, an environmental assessment and land protection plan have been prepared to analyze the effects of establishing the San Luis Valley Conservation Area in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. The environmental assessment (appendix A) analyzes the environmental effects of establishing the San Luis Valley Conservation Area. The San Luis Valley Conservation Area land protection plan describes the priorities for acquiring up to 250,000 acres through voluntary conservation easements and up to 30,000 acres in fee title. Note: Information contained in the maps is approximate and does not represent a legal survey. Ownership information may not be complete. Contents Abbreviations . vii Chapter 1—Introduction and Project Description . 1 Purpose of the San Luis Valley Conservation Area . 2 Vision for the San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex . 4 Purpose of the Alamosa and Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuges . 4 Purpose of the Baca national wildlife refuge . 4 Purpose of the Sangre de Cristo Conservation Area . 4 Issues Identified and Selected for Analysis . 4 Public Review of and Comments on the Draft EA and LPP . 5 National Wildlife Refuge System and Authorities . 6 Related Actions and Activities . 7 San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex . 7 U .S . Fish and Wildlife Service—Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program . 7 USDA Forest Service . 7 Bureau of Land Management . 7 National Park Service . 9 Natural Resources Conservation Service . 9 State of Colorado . 9 Land Trusts . 9 Habitat Protection and the Easement Acquisition Process . 9 Conservation Easements and Other Acquisitions . 10 Chapter 2—Area Description and Resources . 11 Physical Environment . 11 Geology . 11 Minerals . 11 Water and Hydrology . 12 Climate . 14 Biological Environment . 14 Plant Communities . 14 Wildlife . 17 Cultural Resources . 21 Prehistory . 21 Early History . 23 Political Boundaries, Land Grants, and Public Lands . 25 Native Peoples . 26 Settlement . 26 Summary of Known Historic Resources . 28 Socioeconomic Environment . 28 Socioeconomic Profile . 28 Land Use and Ownership Changes Surrounding the conservation area . 30 San luis valley conservation area land conservation efforts . 34 Water Law . 36 IV Land Protection Plan for the San Luis Valley Conservation Area, Colorado and New Mexico Chapter 3—Threats to and Status of Resources . 39 Threats to Resources . 39 Development . 39 Fragmentation . 39 Invasive Species . 40 Water Resources . 40 Cultural Resources . 41 Climate Change . 41 Effects on the Natural and Human Environment . 42 Chapter 4—Project Implementation . 43 Land Protection Choices . 43 No Action . 43 Conservation easements and limited fee-title acquisition (preferred alternative) . 43 Project Objectives and Actions . 44 Collaboration with Land Protection Organizations . 44 Easement Terms and Requirements . 44 Contaminants or Hazardous Materials . 45 Acquisition money . 45 Incorporating Science and Strategic Habitat Conservation in the SLVCA . 45 Strategic Growth of the National Wildlife Refuge System . 45 Strategic Habitat Conservation . 50 Protection Priorities . 51 Species-Habitat Mapping Methodology . 51 Landscape Prioritization . 57 Evaluation of Easement Potential . 61 Socioeconomic Considerations . 61 Public Involvement and Coordination . 61 Scoping . 61 Public Review of the Draft Environmental Assessment and Land Protection Plan . 62 Distribution and Availability . 62 Glossary . 63 Appendix A . 65 Appendix B . 79 Appendix C . 81 Appendix D . 91 Appendix E . 133 Literature Cited . 145 Contents V FIGURES Figure 1. Overview map of the general land cover of the San Luis Valley Conservation Area in Colorado and New Mexico ............................................................................... 3 Figure 2. Map of the San Luis Valley Conservation Area, which will be part of a broader network of.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • San Luis Valley Conservation Area EA and LPP EA Chapter 3
    Chapter 3 — Affected Environment This chapter describes the biological, cultural, and on the eastern side of the valley floor, the Oligocene socioeconomic resources of the SLVCA that could be volcanic rocks of the San Juan Mountains dip gently affected by the no-action alternative (alternative A) eastward into the valley floor, where they are inter- and the proposed action (alternative B). The SLVCA bedded with valley-fill deposits. Valley-fill deposits consists of 5.2 million acres within the Southern Rock- consist of sedimentary rocks that inter-finger with ies and Arizona/New Mexico Plateau ecoregions (U.S. volcanic deposits. Quaternary deposits include pedi- Environmental Protection Agency 2011). The project ments along the mountain fronts, alluvium, and sand encompasses significant portions of seven counties in dunes (USFWS 2011). southern Colorado as well as small parts of two coun- ties in northern New Mexico. Just over 50 percent of MINERALS the total project area is publicly owned; however, the Sand and gravel are the major mineral commodities distribution of public/private ownership is uneven, with mined in the vicinity of the San Luis Valley. Rock, over 90 percent of Mineral County administered by sand, and gravel mines are scattered throughout the the USFS, but less than 1 percent of Costilla County valley, but are concentrated around the cities of Ala- in State or Federal ownership. The project boundary mosa and Monte Vista and the town of Del Norte, is defined by the headwaters hydrologic unit (HUC Colorado. No coal mining permits are active in the 6) of the Rio Grande. SLVCA (Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, Because of the nearly 7,000 feet in elevation change and Safety 2012).
    [Show full text]
  • INDEX a COLORADO COLLEGE READER Page 274 Abbott
    INDEX INDEX Abbott Academy, 83 Armstrong Hall, 190, 245, 259, Acacia Park, 33 263 Academic Program Committee, Army Signal Corps, 252 181, 189 Arnold Fairyland Doll Store, 112 Africa, 180 Art Nouveau, 115, 117 Ahlberg Adventure Program, 234 Ashland, MA, 36, 55, 58, 60, 61 Ahlberg, Jerry, 234 Ashley, Susan, 271-272 Ahlberg Outdoor Education Aspen, CO, 225 Center, 234 Aspen Institute, 229 Ahlers, Mrs., 98 Aspen Ski Patrol, 221 Albright, Guy, 204 Associated Charities (Baltimore, Albright, Horace, 214 MD), 85 Albuquerque, NM, 19, 37, 62 Associated Students of Colorado Alexander, John, 220 College, 262 Alpha Lambda Delta, 262 Associated Women Students, 262 Amesbury, MA, 39, 83, 84 Avon Pottery Company, American Alpine Club, 214 113 American Alpine Journal, 218 Ayuda, 265-267 American Art Association, 115 “American College,” 75, 86, 89 Baca Campus, 229-230 American College and Education Baltimore, MD, 83, 85 Society, 48, 60 Barbetts, 258 American Political Science Bartlett, Enoch N., 13, 15, 17, 24, Association (APSA), 171 36, 55, 58, 60, 61 “America the Beautiful,” 244 Barton, Ruth, 271 Amherst College, 15, 21, 75, Bates, Katherine Lee, 244 76-81, 89, 92 Baxter, James Phinney, 194-195 Andover-Newton Theological Bennan, Professor, 19 Seminary, 82 Baby Boomers, 262, 265 Andover Theological Seminary, Bangor seminary, 70 39, 81, 82 Bangs, Harry, 122, 127 Appolonian Club, 250 Belschner, Martha, 256 A COLORADO COLLEGE READER Page 274 INDEX Bemis Hall, 101, 105-106, 136, Bramhall, Edith C., 163-177, 256 137, 141, 247, 254, 257, “Brammy,” 171, 175 261, 262 Braun photograph, 101 Bemis, Samuel Flagg, 194-195 Bristol, R.
    [Show full text]
  • Minerals of the San Luis Valley and Adjacent Areas of Colorado Charles F
    New Mexico Geological Society Downloaded from: http://nmgs.nmt.edu/publications/guidebooks/22 Minerals of the San Luis Valley and adjacent areas of Colorado Charles F. Bauer, 1971, pp. 231-234 in: San Luis Basin (Colorado), James, H. L.; [ed.], New Mexico Geological Society 22nd Annual Fall Field Conference Guidebook, 340 p. This is one of many related papers that were included in the 1971 NMGS Fall Field Conference Guidebook. Annual NMGS Fall Field Conference Guidebooks Every fall since 1950, the New Mexico Geological Society (NMGS) has held an annual Fall Field Conference that explores some region of New Mexico (or surrounding states). Always well attended, these conferences provide a guidebook to participants. Besides detailed road logs, the guidebooks contain many well written, edited, and peer-reviewed geoscience papers. These books have set the national standard for geologic guidebooks and are an essential geologic reference for anyone working in or around New Mexico. Free Downloads NMGS has decided to make peer-reviewed papers from our Fall Field Conference guidebooks available for free download. Non-members will have access to guidebook papers two years after publication. Members have access to all papers. This is in keeping with our mission of promoting interest, research, and cooperation regarding geology in New Mexico. However, guidebook sales represent a significant proportion of our operating budget. Therefore, only research papers are available for download. Road logs, mini-papers, maps, stratigraphic charts, and other selected content are available only in the printed guidebooks. Copyright Information Publications of the New Mexico Geological Society, printed and electronic, are protected by the copyright laws of the United States.
    [Show full text]
  • Birding & Nature at Zapata Ranch
    Birding & Nature at Zapata Ranch With Naturalist Journeys & Caligo Ventures A Celebrity Tour with Ted Floyd June 13 – 20, 2021 866.900.1146 800.426.7781 520.558.1146 [email protected] www.naturalistjourneys.com or find us on Facebook at Naturalist Journeys, LLC Naturalist Journeys, LLC | Caligo Ventures PO Box 16545 Portal, AZ 85632 PH: 520.558.1146 | 866.900.1146 Fax 650.471.7667 naturalistjourneys.com | caligo.com [email protected] | [email protected] Tour Summary Tour Highlights 8-Day / 7-Night Colorado Birding Tour • UNPLUG! Be inspired as you bird—this remote With Ted Floyd & Pat Lueders location gives a sense of unlimited space and quiet, $3995, from Western City of Your Choice so rare in today’s world (see travel details) • Visit wildlife refuges to find Western Grebe, White- faced ibis, Cinnamon Teal, Yellow-headed Blackbird, NEW! Join Naturalist Journeys’ first celebrity Virginia Rail, and Black-crowned Night-Heron tour with renowned birder and author Ted • Watch Great Horned Owl fledglings learn about life Floyd. Ted is widely known as the editor of the in the grand cottonwood trees that surround the American Birding Association’s magazine ranch and look for Elk with their young in the sage Birding. Ted has authored several books and is • See Common Nighthawk display at dusk, listen to a familiar to many having been the k eynote chorus of Coyote song, then marvel at stars so speaker at a variety of birding festivals. This brilliant in the dark skies exciting new Naturalist Journeys’ tour invites • Enjoy an optional, gentle horseback ride with you to spend a week with Ted to explore the stunning views; enjoy western meals, perhaps some San Luis Valley in southern Colorado from The music and fun (experienced riders can request more Nature Conservancy’s Zapata Ranch.
    [Show full text]
  • Physiographic Subdivisions of the San Luis Valley, Southern Colorado
    113 PHYSIOGRAPHIC SUBDIVISIONS OF THE SAN LUIS VALLEY, SOUTHERN COLORADO by J. E. UPsolvf University of Idaho Moscow, Idaho EDITOR'S NOTE: The New Mexico Geological Society v is grateful to the Journal of Geology for permission to re- print this classic article. After 32 years the work still re- WVO. • mains the most quoted reference in its field on the basin. AP.. _ AC . I The photographs were retaken under Mr. Upson's direc- / tion and duplicate the originals as closely as possible, with –rt 1 the exception of Figure 5, which was taken a short distance ,0 "north" of the mouth of the Rio Costilla. Slight editorial /y .R changes in punctuation and capitalization were made on p 3, the article to conform to present day usage. Denver 70 0 0) INTRODUCTION 3 , CID The San Luis Valley, forming the upper end of the u) great valley of the Rio Grande, is one of the most impres- sive topographic features of southern Colorado. As orig- inally outlined by Siebenthal, 1 it is a great lowland about 150 miles long and 50 miles in maximum width, flanked on the east by the linear Sangre dc Cristo Range and on 0 7/, / the west by the eastern portion of the more extensive San 3 0 0N405 Juan Mountains. It is, in a sense, part of the chain of in- t4 •O 4. SP O V4 / termontane basins, or parks,2 lying west of the Southern ` 1,1‘0 AN Rocky Mountain front ranges, but is unlike the others in Llt IS q` having no southern mountain border.
    [Show full text]
  • Unaweep Tabeguache Byway Corridor Management Plan
    UNAWEEP-TABEGUACHE SCENIC AND HISTORIC BYWAY CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN UNAWEEP-TABEGUACHE SCENIC AND HISTORIC BYWAY CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN Embrace and maintain the area’s history, lifestyles, cultures and unique community spirit. Embrace and protect the natural beauty, outdoor experiences and recreation opportunities. Increase the economic viability and sustainability of Byway communities. Facilitate synergy and collaboration with all Byway communities, partners and governing agencies. The UTB Mission September 12, 2013 Advanced Resource Management, Inc. Advanced Resource Management, Inc.706 Nelson The Park National Drive Longmont, Trust CO 80503 for Historic 303-485-7889 Preservation Whiteman Consulting UNAWEEP-TABEGUACHE SCENIC AND HISTORIC BYWAY CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary……. ....................................................................... 3 2. Byway Overview……. ............................................................................. 6 3. Updating the CMP .................................................................................. 8 4. Intrinsic Qualities .................................................................................. 10 A. Archaeological Quality ..................................................................................... 11 B. Cultural Quality ................................................................................................ 12 C. Historic Quality ...............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Profiles of Colorado Roadless Areas
    PROFILES OF COLORADO ROADLESS AREAS Prepared by the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region July 23, 2008 INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 2 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS ARAPAHO-ROOSEVELT NATIONAL FOREST ......................................................................................................10 Bard Creek (23,000 acres) .......................................................................................................................................10 Byers Peak (10,200 acres)........................................................................................................................................12 Cache la Poudre Adjacent Area (3,200 acres)..........................................................................................................13 Cherokee Park (7,600 acres) ....................................................................................................................................14 Comanche Peak Adjacent Areas A - H (45,200 acres).............................................................................................15 Copper Mountain (13,500 acres) .............................................................................................................................19 Crosier Mountain (7,200 acres) ...............................................................................................................................20 Gold Run (6,600 acres) ............................................................................................................................................21
    [Show full text]
  • All Grants Awarded Through Fiscal Year 2020 INTRODUCTION and KEY
    All Grants Awarded Through Fiscal Year 2020 INTRODUCTION AND KEY This report is a list of all grants awarded by the Colorado Historical Society’s State Historical Fund (SHF) since its inception in 1992 (state Fiscal Year 1993) through the end of Fiscal Year 2020. The amounts listed are the original award amounts. If for some reason the entire grant amount was not used (i.e. a project was terminated or was completed under budget) the full amount awarded will appear. In other instances grant awards were increased either to enable project completion or to cover the costs of easements. In these instances, the additional award amount is shown in a separate entry as an increase. In those cases where no work was accomplished and the funds were either declined by the grant recipient or were required to be returned to the SHF through rescissions, no entry will appear. For this reason, projects listed in one version of this report may not appear in later versions, and the financial information shown in this report may not be comparable to other revenue reports issued by the SHF. Grants listed in this report are identified by project ID number. The first two characters in the project ID number represent the fiscal year from which the grant was scheduled to be paid. The state is on a July 1 – June 30 fiscal year. So, for example, all grants made between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007 will be coded “07”. The next two characters identify the type of grant. In the case of grants that are awarded based on specific application due dates, the grant round in which the project was funded will be paired with either a letter or number.
    [Show full text]
  • Sangre De Cristo Salida and San Carlos Wet Mountains San Carlos Spanish Peaks San Carlos
    Wild Connections Conservation Plan for the Pike & San Isabel National Forests Chapter 5 – Complexes: Area-Specific Management Recommendations This section contains our detailed, area-specific proposal utilizing the theme based approach to land management. As an organizational tool, this proposal divides the Pike-San Isabel National Forest into eleven separate Complexes, based on geo-physical characteristics of the land such as mountain ranges, parklands, or canyon systems. Each complex narrative provides details and justifications for our management recommendations for specific areas. In order to emphasize the larger landscape and connectivity of these lands with the ecoregion, commentary on relationships to adjacent non-Forest lands are also included. Evaluations of ecological value across public and private lands are used throughout this chapter. The Colorado Natural Heritage Programs rates the biodiversity of Potential Conservation Areas (PCAs) as General Biodiversity, Moderate, High, Very High, and Outranking Significance. The Nature Conservancy assesses the conservation value of its Conservation Blueprint areas as Low, Moderately Low, Moderate, Moderately High and High. The Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project's Wildlands Network Vision recommends land use designations of Core Wilderness, Core Agency, Low and Moderate Compatible Use, and Wildlife Linkages. Detailed explanations are available from the respective organizations. Complexes – Summary List by Watershed Table 5.1: Summary of WCCP Complexes Watershed Complex Ranger District
    [Show full text]
  • Late Mesozoic to Cenozoic Cooling Histories of the Flanks of the Northern and Central Rio Grande Rift, Colorado and New Mexico
    New Mexico Bureau of Mines & Mineral Resources A DIVISION OF NEW MEXICO INSTITUTE OF MINING & TECHNOLOGY Late Mesozoic to Cenozoic cooling histories of the flanks of the northern and central Rio Grande rift, Colorado and New Mexico Shari A. Kelley1, Charles E. Chapin2, and Jeff Corrigan3 1Department of Geological Sciences, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas 75275; 2New Mexico Bureau of Mines & Mineral Resources, Socorro, New Mexico 87801; 3ARCO Oil and Gas Company, Plano, Texas 75075 SOCORRO 1992 11 NEW MEXICO INSTITUTE OF MINING & TECHNOLOGY Laurence H. Lattman, President NEW MEXICO BUREAU OF MINES & MINERAL RESOURCES Charles E. Chapin, Director and State Geologist BOARD OF REGENTS Ex Officio Bruce King, Governor of New Mexico Alan Morgan, Superintendent of Public Instruction Appointed Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez, President, 1989-1995, Albuquerque Charles Zimmerly, Secretary/Treasurer, 1991-1997, Socorro Diane D. Denish, 1992-1997, Albuquerque J. Michael Kelly, 1992-1997, Roswell Steve Torres, 1991-1997, Albuquerque BUREAU STAFF ORIN J. ANDERSON, Senior Geologist DEBBIE GOERING, Staff Secretary VIRGINIA McLesion, Economic Geologist RUBEN ARCHULETA, Metallurgical Lab. Tech. Lois GOLLMER, Geotechnical Records Clerk NORMA J. MEEKS, Director of Publications Office Augustus K. ARMSTRONG, USGS Geologist IBRAHIM GUNDILER, Senior Metallurgist BARBARA R. Popp, Chemical lab. Tech. II GEORGE S. AusTIN, Senior Industrial Minerals Geologist STEVE HAASE, Ground-Water Geologist MARSHALL A. REITER, Senior Geophysicist AL BACA, Maintenance Carpenter II WILLIAM C. HANEBERG, Engineering Geologist JACQUES R. RENAULT, Senior Geologist JAMES M. BARKER, Senior Industrial Minerals Geologist JOHN W. HAWLEY, Senior Env. Geologist JAMES M. ROBERTSON, Senior Economic Geologist PAUL W. BAUER, Field Economic Geologist LYNNE HEMENWAY, Computer Pub./Graphics Spec.
    [Show full text]
  • Final ULP PEIS 3: Affected Environment
    Final ULP PEIS 3: Affected Environment 1 3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 2 3 4 The ROIs affected by the proposed action presented in the ULP PEIS are described for 5 each resource area evaluated (see Appendix D for additional discussion on the determination of 6 the ROIs). This site-specific information will be 7 used as the basis for evaluating the potential Regions of Influence (ROIs) for the Various Resource Areas Evaluated 8 impacts from the alternatives discussed in in the ULP PEIS 9 Chapter 4. 10 Air Quality: Mostly within 31 mi (50 km) from the 11 source(s) but up to several hundred miles, a minimal but cumulative contribution to air quality- 12 3.1 AIR QUALITY related values (such as visibility and acid 13 deposition) 14 Noise: Within 2–3 mi (3–5 km), from noise 15 3.1.1 Climate source(s) at best 16 Paleontological Resources: Lease tracts and any 17 other areas on adjacent lands that could be affected 18 3.1.1.1 General Climate by mining activities 19 Soil Resources: The lease tracts and any other 20 Wide variations in elevation and areas on adjacent lands (e.g., unpaved access roads) that could be affected by mining activities 21 topographic features within the area Water Resources: Montrose, Mesa, and 22 surrounding the ULP lease tracts have an San Miguel Counties, primarily on the lease tracts; 23 impact on wind patterns, temperatures, and also the Dolores River, San Miguel River, and their 24 storm tracks in all seasons (NCDC 2011a). The tributaries 25 area has a semi-arid, mid-continental climate Human Health: 50-mi (80-km) radius of the lease 26 characterized by abundant sunshine, low tracts 27 humidity, low precipitation, and cold, snowy Land Use: The lease tracts and land within a 25-mi 28 winters.
    [Show full text]
  • Colorado Topographic Maps, Scale 1:24,000 This List Contains The
    Colorado Topographic Maps, scale 1:24,000 This list contains the quadrangle names and publication dates of all Colorado topographic maps published at the scale of 1:24,000 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). One, non-circulating copy of each map is held in the Map Room Office. The Library does not own maps labeled "lacking." The maps are sorted alphabetically by sheet name. Colorado 1:24,000 Topos -- A Abarr 1974 printed 1977 Abarr SE 1968 printed 1971 1968 (without color) printed 1971 Abeyta 1971 printed 1974 1971 (without color) printed 1974 Adams Lake 1974 printed 1978 (dark), 1978 (light) 1974 (without color) printed 1978 1987 printed 1988 Adena 1963 printed 1965, 1975 1963 (without color) printed 1965 1984 printed 1984 1984 (without color) printed 1984 Adler Creek 1968 printed 1971 1968 (without color) printed 1971 Adobe Downs Ranch, New Mexico-Colorado 1963 printed 1965 1963 (without color) printed 1965 1979 printed 1980 (dark), 1980 (light) Adobe Springs 1969 printed 1972, 1992 1969 (without color) printed 1972 Agate 1970 printed 1973 (dark), 1973 (light) 1970 (without color) printed 1973 Agate Mountain 1983 printed 1983 1994 printed 1998 Aguilar 1971 printed 1974 1971 (without color) printed 1974 Akron 1973 printed 1976 1973 (without color) printed 1976 Akron SE 1973 printed 1976 Akron SW 1973 printed 1976 Alamosa East 1966 printed 1968, 1975 1966 (without color) printed 1968 Alamosa West 1966 printed 1969, 1971 1966 (without color) printed 1969 Aldrich Gulch 1957 printed 1958, 1964, 1975 (dark), 1975 (light) 1957 (without color)
    [Show full text]