This client retained Roe Ecological Services (ROE) to conduct a wildlife survey and identify prairie dog management options, as required by City of Longmont Land Development Code Section 15.05.030, for the future “Maxwell Place” housing development in Longmont, Colorado. The primary focus of the survey was on prairie dogs, but all potential species were considered.
ROE first ascertained the presence of potential habitat of any federally or state-listed species on, or immediately adjacent to, the property. This was accomplished by referencing the personal knowledge of ROE biologists and the lists of threatened, endangered, and sensitive species for Boulder County, Colorado, provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife, and the Colorado Natural Diversity Information Source. ROE biologist, Kelly Roe, visited the site and assessed the habitat and potential wildlife impacts, documented approximate locations of prairie dog burrows on and adjacent to the property, and identified mitigation options—if any—for wildlife that may be impacted by the future development of the property.
Based on the wildlife survey, ROE believed that no wildlife species or individuals should be adversely impacted by the development of the future Maxwell Place development other than prairie dogs. Although prairie dogs were the only species of wildlife present on the site at the time of the assessment, if development is to occur between 15 March and 31 October, ROE recommended a formal survey for Western Burrowing Owls and ground-nesting birds, such as Mountain Plover and Eastern/Western Meadowlarks.