Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.19 Orchid Management Plan Prepared for: Aspen Polo Partners, LLP 101 South Mill Street, Ste. 200 Aspen, Colorado 81611 Prepared by: Red Mountain Environmental, LLC 802 Palmer Avenue Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 February 18, 2024 McClure River Ranch Ute Ladies’-Tresses Orchid Management Plan Garfield County, Colorado Red Mountain Environmental Orchid Management Plan McClure River Ranch 2/18/2024 ii Table of Contents 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................... 3 2. PROJECT LOCATION & DESCRIPTION .............................................................................................. 3 3. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING ............................................................................................................ 6 Life History of Ute Ladies’ Tresses .......................................................................................... 7 4. SURVEY ELEMENTS & METHODS ................................................................................................... 8 5. RESULTS & DISCUSSION ................................................................................................................. 9 6. ORCHID HABITAT MANAGEMENT PLAN ....................................................................................... 12 Hydrology Management ....................................................................................................... 12 Vegetation Management ..................................................................................................... 12 Weed Control ....................................................................................................................... 13 Management Guidelines ...................................................................................................... 13 7. ROPE COUNT MONITORING ......................................................................................................... 14 8. REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................. 16 List of Figures Figure 1: Project Vicinity ................................................................................................................................... 5 Figure 2: 2023 Orchid Survey Occurance Areas ............................................................................................. 11 List of Tables Table 1. Summary of Blooming Ute Ladies’-Tresses Orchid Rope Counts ..................................................... 10 3.1. 6.1. 6.2. 6.3. 6.4. Orchid Management Plan McClure River Ranch 2/18/2024 3 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Ute Ladies’-tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis) is a native orchid that was listed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as a Threatened species in January of 1992. At that time, the species population was estimated at 6,000 individuals in 10 extant and 7 historical (and thought extirpated) sites in the states of Nevada, Colorado, and Utah and thought to be extremely vulnerable. In addition, the habitat of this plant was thought to be seriously threatened from development, noxious weeds, and some grazing practices. Since 1992, Ute Ladies’ Tresses are now known to occur in 7 western states and population numbers are now estimated at 83,000 (Fertig et al. 2005). In 2004, the USFWS initiated a review to begin the process to take this species off the Endangered Species List as the increased population numbers in combination with additional data regarding the availability of habitat led the USFWS to believe this plant did not need the extra protections the Endangered Species Act provides. To date, Ute ladies’-tresses orchid remains on the Endangered Species List but is proposed for delisting in 2024. Baseline Inventories and Ecological Condition surveys, originally conducted in 2007, identified the presence of the Ute Ladies’-Tresses orchid occurring in wetland habitats across the property, totaling over an estimated 1,000 individuals (RMES 2008). The discovery of this population constituted a significant range expansion for this species (RMES 2011) and was considered one of the largest population centers of this species in Colorado. Since then, the population at McClure River Ranch has declined markedly, and McClure River Ranch has committed to improving habitat conditions. Aspen Polo Partners, LLC (owner of McClure River Ranch), contracted Red Mountain Environmental, LLC to perform a botanical survey and provide a new orchid management plan for McClure River Ranch. This report presents the results of the past surveys as well as the 2023 surveys that were conducted to determine short-term responses of orchids to habitat management (grazing and weed management), and provides the presentation of this management plan, per the request of Garfield County Community Development department. 2. PROJECT LOCATION & DESCRIPTION The Investigation Area for this survey effort includes approximately 32 acres within the 98- acre property. The property is located in unincorporated Garfield County, Colorado; Sections 31 & 32, Township 7 South, Range 87 West, 6th Principal Meridian, south of Highway 82. The parcel is within the Carbondale USGS Topographic Quadrangle. The property currently operates as McClure River Ranch, a planned unit development, and is associated with the Aspen Valley Polo Club. The lower elevation of this area is at the southwestern end of the property on the Roaring Fork River at 6,298 feet, and the upper elevation in the area is at 6,332 feet at the northeastern end of the property. The property currently supports a greenhouse and surrounding gardens, which are mostly unmanaged and are now dominated by weeds. There are a few piles of stumps and construction debris, topsoil salvage, and various fences in poor condition. In general, the property has had minimal management in the past few years, and vegetation has responded accordingly (Figures 1 & 2). Orchid Management Plan McClure River Ranch 2/18/2024 4 Undisturbed areas on the property provide diverse habitats, including riparian cottonwood forests, widespread emergent wetlands, pasture areas, the bank and bed of the Roaring Fork River, and open waters associated with the Middle Ditch (also known as Blue Creek). The vegetation along the Roaring Fork River can be characterized as riparian narrowleaf cottonwood woodlands with a dense shrubby understory. The emergent wetlands within the Investigation Area are extensive and well established with a wide variety of native vegetation, including the focus species of this report, the Ute Ladies’-Tresses. Orchid Management Plan McClure River Ranch 2/18/2024 5 Figure 1: Project Vicinity s 17 / 1...._J LI i I ~, 6S 90W 55:39~ \'--\ t~( 7590W 6588W I 6587W 5586W u ·--r ,_, LJ ~';1 ,--.....,__iS 85W l Gy~~~_] S ro wmas~ VICINITY MAP McClure River Ranch J ....,.-Area of Investigation r_:--1 c_,__,' Municipal Boundary D To w nship/Range/Section LJ Private Land LJ BLM Land 1111 USFS SCALE: 1 :250,000 Orchid Management Plan McClure River Ranch 2/18/2024 6 3. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING The area consists mainly of forested cottonwood riparian and emergent wetland vegetation communities, and upland meadows. Dominant species include narrow leaf cottonwood (Populus angustifolia), river hawthorn (Crataegus rivularis), silver buffaloberry (Sheperdia argentea), skunkbush (Rhus trilobata), clematis (Clematis ligusticifolia), orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), Nebraska sedge (Carex nebrascensis), beaked sedge (Carex utriculata), creeping spikerush (Eleocharis palustris), and swordleaf rush (Juncus ensifolius). The emergent wetland areas support the Ute Ladies’ Tresses orchid. Soils in the area are dominated by the Atencio-Azeltine complex, 3–6% slopes (found on alluvial fans and terraces, and generally comprised of 60% Atencio sandy loam and 30% Azeltine gravelly sandy loam), Redrob loam, 1–6% slopes (deep, somewhat poorly drained soils on alluvial valley floors, low terraces, and floodplains, formed in mixed alluvium derived dominantly from sandstone and shale), and Fluvaquents, 0–10% slopes (consisting of deep, somewhat poorly drained, nearly level soils on flood plains and alluvial valley floors). Hydrology within the Investigation Area includes the Roaring Fork River, the Middle Ditch, and the Lower Ditch. The Middle Ditch is approximately 120 years old, and cuts across the Investigation area from east to west. The ditch meanders through the property and supports a large portion of the emergent wetlands. The Lower Ditch is well confined within its developed channel, and only supports a narrow fringe of wetland vegetation immediately along the edges. The Roaring Fork River bounds the southern edge of the Investigation Area. The property was known as TCI Lane Ranch before it was purchased by Aspen Polo Partners in 2017. The property, including all of the Investigation Area, was annually grazed by cattle in the winter and spring months for close to 100 years. The management of grazing on the ranch had benefitted the orchid; winter and spring cattle grazing removed thatch and litter from wetland areas and kept woody species establishment minimized. Cattle had been removed from the property in the summer months, which allowed the orchids to grow and flower without being Emergent wetland meadow Cottonwood riparian vegetation Orchid Management Plan McClure River Ranch 2/18/2024 7 grazed or damaged. The property has not been consistently grazed for several years, and significant vegetation growth has occurred, greatly reducing the extent of the orchid. 2023 Goat Grazing In 2023, McClure River Ranch, in coordination with Garfield County Vegetation Management, hired a goat herder (Goat Green LLC) to graze goats in the spring (prior to orchid green-up), to remove excess thatch, reduce the coverage of willows and other shrubs, and improve the overall habitat conditions for orchids. Grazing occurred from approximately April 30th through May 14th, using approximately 100 goats. Goats grazed vegetation to a stubble height of approximately 1 to 3 inches. The goats mostly grazed more upland areas, but through the use of fencing, goats were moved into wetter orchid habitats. Monitoring of goats showed that thatch and brush removal was successful but given how much brush (mostly willows, river hawthorn, and silver buffaloberry) and weed expansion has occurred over the past 7-8 years since cattle were removed, it will take multiple years of goat grazing, or other mechanical means, to reduce brush and weed cover. Life History of Ute Ladies’ Tresses Description and Life History Ute ladies’-tresses is a long-lived perennial with a flowering stalk about 12 to 60 cm tall originating from basal leaves and tuberous thickened roots. Basal leaves are linear and up to 1 cm wide and 29 cm long. The inflorescence is a 3-15cm spike that is sparsely pubescent and has numerous small white or ivory-colored flowers arranged in a gradual spiral. The flower is pollinated chiefly by solitary bees (genus Anthophora), bumble bees (Bombus spp.) and occasionally honey bees (Apis mellifera) (Sipes and Tepedino 1995, Sipes et al. 1995, Pierson and Tepedino 2000). The species likely reproduces solely by seed (Fertig et al. 2005). The seeds are extremely small and light, and thus are not viable for very long. It is thought the seeds form a relationship with mycorrhizal soil fungi in order to survive. Additionally, it is thought the orchid can remain underground for 8–11 years before it has enough reserves to form above ground leafy shoots. Moreover, the orchid can subvert back to a vegetative state for up to 2 years, and perhaps longer (Fertig et al. 2005). Habitat This plant grows chiefly in moist meadows associated with both natural and human-modified wetlands between 4,300 to 6,850 feet in elevation within openings of the vegetation where it is not overly dense. The orchid prefers a ‘mid-seral’ vegetation condition where various disturbances Ute Ladies’ Tresses on Property 3.1. Orchid Management Plan McClure River Ranch 2/18/2024 8 keep vegetation from becoming too dense and prohibit woody vegetation from establishing within the open meadows (Arft 1995). Suitable habitat settings include perennial stream terraces, floodplains and oxbows, as well as seasonally flooded river terraces, sub-irrigated or spring-fed abandoned stream channels and valleys, lakeshores, along irrigation canals, berms, levees, irrigated meadows, excavated gravel pits, and reservoirs. The orchid is found in these habitats in Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Washington, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Figure 3 shows the orchid habitat on the property. Orchid Population Description on Property Orchids were discovered on the property in 2007 by botanist Mindy Wheeler. Given how far outside of the known range this population was at the time, the orchids on the property needed to be positively identified and verified by the USFWS and the species expert, Dr. Charles Sheviak (Mayo 2007, Sheviak pers. comm. 2007). Orchids were found throughout the mapped “Spiranthes habitat” illustrated in Figure 3 below. At that time, ocular estimates of blooming orchids placed the population at around 1,000 blooming plants on TCI Lane Ranch. However, literature indicates that blooming plants may only be 10% of the true population. In 2008, a “Rope Count” of orchids (see below) was conducted in four areas supporting more dense occurrences of orchids, and where vegetation allowed for easy survey completion. 4. SURVEY ELEMENTS & METHODS In 2021 and 2023, surveys of all suitable habitats occurred in an effort to find all potential occurrences of orchids. All blooming orchids were then counted. This differed from surveys in 2007-2010, where the abundance of orchids meant that rope counts were done just to help track orchid population trends. In 2021 and 2023, the rope-count method was used in the Western population area (Figure 3), and orchid numbers in these areas can be compared to previous years. Each rope count area was traversed by foot along 0.5-meter transects, and every individual Ute ladies’-tresses orchid observed was counted and documented. Additionally, the entire Investigation Area was checked for any changes to vegetation from the initial survey periods to current conditions in 2021 and 2023. Please see section Table 1, for blooming orchid counts. Orchids were temporarily marked with flags to aid in counting and to view occurrence patterns. Orchid Management Plan McClure River Ranch 2/18/2024 9 5. RESULTS & DISCUSSION In summary: • In 2023, the Ute Ladies’-Tresses orchid was observed in four different areas, which is an improvement over surveys from 2021 (Figure 4); blooming orchids were only observed in one area in 2021. With goat grazing in 2023, orchid numbers increased slightly, and were also observed in new areas (these “new” areas supported orchids in 2007-2010, but were not selected for monitoring counts, given the propensity of orchids across the property at that time). • Noxious weeds have greatly expanded their presence on the property in the past few years due to season-long intensive grazing by hobby livestock associated with the greenhouse, intermittent soil disturbance from gardening efforts, construction crews, and a lack of effective noxious weed treatments. In 2023, weeds were sprayed using herbicides, and grazed with goats, but consistent treatment and a reclamation plan will be needed to be implemented to control weeds into the future. Several List B species occur at high levels throughout the property, and there are multiple locations where significant noxious weed encroachment has occurred. Discussion From 2007-2010, orchids were documented across most of the wetland areas on the property but were “surveyed” and counted only in four areas to begin tracking the population trends of orchids. While the initial counts in the four select areas documented 300 to 605 blooming individuals (Table 1), the actual number of blooming orchids across the property in 2007 and 2008 was estimated at over 1,000 plants (RMES 2008). After 11 years, SGM was hired to document Ute Ladies’-Tresses occurrences in 2021. The total number of blooming orchids counted that year was only 78 individuals, all of which were in the Western population area. The surveyed area is consistent with the area identified as Western in 2007-2010. The other survey areas with positive Ute Ladies’-Tresses documentation from 2007- 2010 were intensely surveyed in 2021, but flowering orchids were not observed (Table 1). No other orchids were observed anywhere else within the Investigation Area. In 11 years, the number of blooming orchids dropped from over 1,000 plants to 78 plants. Based on extensive brush establishment, over grazing of previously occupied habitats, and weed establishment, the population plummeted. As mentioned, significant vegetation growth was noted when compared to 2007-2010 conditions, likely due to the removal of cattle grazing on the property in the winter and spring months. As the orchid prefers vegetation conditions where various disturbances keep vegetation from becoming too dense (Arft 1995), the lack of disturbance caused by cattle grazing has contributed to the decline in the orchid population within the property (most of the orchid occurrence areas on the property do not have natural disturbances such as flooding). The decline in the numbers of blooming orchids is attributed to the increase in vegetation growth overcrowding and outcompeting the orchid, weed establishment, and overgrazing during the growing season, rather Orchid Management Plan McClure River Ranch 2/18/2024 10 than the potential vegetative state (blooming every second or third year) the orchid frequently expresses. Table 1. Summary of Blooming Ute Ladies’-Tresses Orchid Rope Counts Occurrence Area Names 2008 2009 2010 2021 2023 Western 175 412 419 76 95 Middle Ditch (aka Middle) 5 0 72 0 0 Duck Ponds (new area) NA NA NA 0 6 Two Track (new area) NA NA NA 2 3 Trees 3 54 85 0 0 BLM swale 117 58 29 0 0 Totals 300 524 605 78 104 Note- the “new areas” called Duck Ponds and Two Track were occupied in 2008- 2010, but individual orchids were not counted, given the abundance of orchids across the property. In 2007, rope counts were not conducted, but the population was estimated at over 1,000 blooming plants. An additional 7 blooming orchids were observed along the banks of the Roaring Fork River in 2023. Orchid Management Plan McClure River Ranch 2/18/2024 11 Figure 2: 2023 Orchid Survey Occurance Areas UTE LADY'S TRESSES HABITAT McClure River Ranch .EGE ....,.-Area of Investigation D Township/Range/Section Ute Lady's Tresses Areas ~ Potential Orchid Habitat (2007) ~ Orchid Rope Count Area (2007 -2011) [:? Occupied Orchid Populations (2023) Orchid Management Plan McClure River Ranch 2/18/2024 12 6. ORCHID HABITAT MANAGEMENT PLAN In summary, orchid habitat management will need to include: 1. Maintaining shallow groundwater hydrology. 2. Prevention of thatch, brush, and weed overgrowth. Hydrology Management The orchid depends on shallow groundwater and alluvial soils along with consistent mild disturbances to maintain the surrounding vegetation in a ‘mid-seral’ state for its persistence (Fertig et al. 2005). At the ranch, this hydrology has been maintained by the combination of groundwater flows from the Middle Ditch, smaller laterals coming off of Middle Ditch, and the Roaring Fork River. The hydrologic regime must remain similar to previous conditions within occupied habitats. At this time, management of the Middle Ditch has not changed much, but beavers did move into the area in 2022, and their dam building flooded some areas previously occupied by the orchid. McClure River Ranch has been actively relocating these beavers, to preserve orchid habitat and to prevent flooding of downstream properties. Channeling of the Middle Ditch is being requested by irrigators, which, if done too extensively, could negatively impact hydrology for the orchid. Channeling of the ditch would need to be done carefully, so as to not dewater surrounding wetlands. At this time, hydrologic management is consistent with maintaining the orchid on the property, as long as: (1) beaver dams/populations are managed, and flooding of orchid habitat is prevented, and (2) Middle Ditch is managed so as dewatering of adjacent wetlands is avoided. Vegetation Management Wintertime cattle grazing produced the habitat conditions which allowed the property to support a very high density of orchids, and the reinstatement of wintertime/springtime cattle grazing would likely be the most effective method to manage habitat for the orchid. To accomplish this, fences would need to be mended, and the same grazing timing and head of cattle would need to be replicated. If cattle cannot be used, then goat grazing could be substituted, as it was in 2023. The timing of grazing (winter and into spring) and the relative intensity (stubble height of approximately 3 inches) should be used. Alternatives to grazing could include mowing the orchid habitat to 6 inches before June 1st annually or bi-annually (Riedel, pers. comm. June 2008). It will be necessary to use a vehicle that will do the least amount of damage to the soil surface as possible, and one option is to mow in the late winter, when the ground is still frozen, to avoid machinery getting stuck in mud, or damaging soil profiles. Hand tools can also be used. Cut brush would need to be removed from orchid habitat areas. 6.1. 6.2. Orchid Management Plan McClure River Ranch 2/18/2024 13 Weed Control Weed control will also be necessary in the orchid habitat and should include a grazing (or mowing) treatment in the spring, as well as herbicide treatment to Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) in the fall after the orchid has flowered and set seed. However, weed treatment should be applied with particular care within the orchid habitat as damage to other forbs (wildflowers) in the area could reduce the number of pollinators in the area. A back-pack sprayer or potentially a ‘hand wick’ (a glove/applicator wet with herbicide and applied to the thistle directly) method could be used, and pressurized hose spot-spraying should be used carefully and sparingly in orchid habitats. Wetland Mitigation Area It should also be noted that a wetland mitigation site could be used to help supplement the orchid habitats. Orchids could be introduced to the wetland mitigation site through seeding (collecting seeds from orchids on the property). At a wetland mitigation site in Carbondale, Ute ladies’ tresses colonized the area in 2008 without human intervention. Management Guidelines In order to ensure the long-term stability of the population, qualified botanists or ecologists will interpret the changes in hydrology, land use, vegetation cover, noxious weeds, and other habitat parameters for the orchid. Botanists will then prescribe necessary changes to management strategies in order to protect and maintain orchid habitat parameters. Changes in management plans should be reviewed or coordinated through USFWS while the orchid is still on the Endangered Species List. If the orchid becomes delisted, orchid management may not need coordination through the USFWS, but perpetuation of this population would be important in the recovery of the species. McClure River Ranch, subsequent HOA management entities, and homeowners will be informed that the property provides important habitat and a significant population of a Federally protected species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The HOA and homeowners shall be informed that “take” of the orchids is regulated by the USFWS. Take is defined by the ESA as "pursue, shoot, shoot at, poison, wound, kill, capture, trap, collect, molest or disturb." As evidenced by the decline of the population, noxious weed management will be very important for the long-term persistence of this species. Canada thistle is already known to occur within occupied habitats, and bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) and scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium) occur immediately adjacent to habitats. McClure River Ranch and any subsequent HOA management entities will be responsible for long-term management of noxious weeds. Weed control methods shall include the use of herbicides endorsed by the Colorado State Department of Agriculture and Garfield County Vegetation Management for treatment of noxious weeds within and adjacent to orchid habitats. Unproven or non-peer reviewed techniques and techniques not endorsed by the State Department of Agriculture or Environmental Protection Agency such as the use of vinegar, planting of “bio-islands”, planting or seeding of new species with the intent of “outcompeting” weeds, grazing, or indirectly improving soil properties to prevent or slow weed establishment are not considered viable alternatives to treatment of noxious weeds with herbicides and are not part of this orchid management plan. The hand-pulling of biennial weeds, 6.3. 6.4. Orchid Management Plan McClure River Ranch 2/18/2024 14 such as scotch, bull, plumeless and musk thistles and houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale) may be successful with diligence, but hand pulling of perennials such as Canada thistle is not a proven management technique and is therefore not part of this orchid management plan. If incidental disturbances do occur within orchid habitats whereby supplemental planting is needed, only local native species will be allowed- however with proper weed management, local native species should be able to reclaim most disturbances on their own. A qualified botanist or ecologist shall select suitable local native species for planting/seeding within orchid habitats. 7. ROPE COUNT MONITORING A ‘rope count’ monitoring protocol will be executed annually to produce the data necessary to be able to detect upward or downward trends of the Ute ladies’ tresses population. Counts will be conducted in early August (August 2–12) and will include all suitable habitats. Notes will also be taken regarding the habitat condition (noxious weed presence, woody debris presence, total vegetation cover). Photos will be taken of the survey areas to help document habitat conditions. SPIRANTHES ROPE COUNT – MATERIALS & METHODS MATERIALS: Clicker counters (10) Pencils Large clipboard Property and/or field maps Flagging tape Aerial photos Wire flags (30” long) Rubber irrigation boots Flag quiver 5-meter rope segments Tape measure Scissors Data sheets METHODS: I. Rope Set-Up • Tie four 5-meter ropes together. (Use one less rope than number of people.) • Hang a piece of flagging tape (about 2 feet long) from the center of each rope segment. • Start in a corner of the monitored area and stretch the rope perpendicular to the direction of travel. It is best to start and end at a permanently marked point that can be relocated annually. • Have a person hold each end of the rope, and one at each knot. Pull the rope tight. Rope Count Surveying Protocol • Everyone grabs a knot or end of the rope, holds the rope about waist level, then moves away from the start line until the rope is taut. Begin walking through the field, staying in a straight line. • Start out slowly to get used to the process, the habitat, and optimal walking speed. Orchid Management Plan McClure River Ranch 2/18/2024 15 • While walking, counters survey and count the 2.5-meter area between the 2 pieces of flagging tape hanging on either side of them, about 5 meters total. Use clicker counters to count individual plants. • If a plant, or cluster of plants, is located near the flagging tape, communicate with the person on the other side of the flag to determine which of you will count that plant to make sure the plant is not missed or counted twice. Cooperation is essential. Don’t be shy about pointing out plants that another may have missed because they are sometimes very difficult to see depending on the surrounding vegetation and the lighting that day. • As the person on the end of the rope is placing flags, they may need to communicate to the rest of the line to pull the rope tighter or change direction slightly to keep the dropped flag line as straight as possible. Orchid Management Plan McClure River Ranch 2/18/2024 16 8. REFERENCES Arft, A.M. 1995. The genetics, demography and conservation management of the rare orchid Spiranthes diluvialis. PhD dissertation. University of Colorado, Boulder, CO. Fertig, W., R. Black and P. Wolken. 2005. Rangewide Status Review of Ute Ladies’ Tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis). Prepared for the USFWS and Central Utah Conservancy District. Fertig, W., R. Black and P. Wolken. 2005. Rangewide Status Review of Ute Ladies’ Tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis). Prepared for the USFWS and Central Utah Conservancy District. NatureServe. 2008. Spiranthes diluvialis Sheviak comprehensive report. NatureServe Explorer (www.natureserve.org/explorer) accessed 23 June 2008) NRCS.2021. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/survey/ ?cid=nrcs142p2_053627 Pierson, K. and V.J. Tepedino. 2000. The pollination ecology of a rare orchid, Spiranthes diluvialis: Implications for conservation. Report prepared for Uinta National Forest by Utah State University, Logan, UT. Riedel, L. 2008. Personal communication. City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks. Boulder, CO. Rocky Mountain Ecological Services. 2011. Baseline Inventory and Present Conditions Report for TCI Lane Ranch, Garfield County, CO. Glenwood Springs, CO. Sheviak, C.J. 2007. Personal Communications and verification of Spiranthes sample collected by E. Mayo (USFWS). Curator of Botany, New York State Museum. Albany, NY. Sipes, S.D and V.J. Tepedino. 1995. Reproductive biology of the rare orchid, Spiranthes diluvialis: Breeding system, pollination and implications for conservation. Conservation Biology 9(4): 929-938). Sipes, S.D., P.G. Wolf and V.J. Tepedino. 1995. The pollination and reproduction of Spiranthes diluvialis: Implications for conservation of four populations. Report prepared for the Bureau of Land Management by Utah State University, Logan, UT. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1992. Endangered and Threatened wildlife and plants; final rule to list the Spiranthes diluvialis as a Threatened species. Federal Register 57(12):2048-2052. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2004. Endangered and Threatened wildlife and plants; 90-day finding on a petition to delist the Ute ladies’ tresses orchid and initiation of a 5-year review. Federal Register 69(196): 60605-60607 PPHOTO LLOG PProject NName: SSite LLocation: DDate: PPhoto PPoint PPhoto PPoint McClure River Ranch 2007 conditions, north of access road 2007 conditions, north of access road 2007 conditions, Western population area 2007 conditions, Western population area Appendix A PPHOTO LLOG PProjectt NNaammee:: SSite LLocation: DDate: PPhoto PPoint PPhoto PPoint McClure River Ranch 2010, BLM population conditions 2010, BLM population condtions 2023 conditions, near access road 2023 Western population conditions PPHOTO LLOG PProject NName: SSite LLocation: DDate: PPhoto PPoint PPhoto PPoint 2023 Western population conditions 2023 Western population conditions Red Mountain Environmental 970-309-5190 eric@redmtnenv.com Peter Rizzo September 24, 2024 Aspen Polo Partners, LLP 715 West Main Street, Suite 201 Aspen, CO 81600 Re: Ute ladies-tresses’ 2024 Monitoring Dear Peter, On September 5th, 2024, Red Mountain Environmental, LLC conducted an ocular survey for Ute Ladies’-tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis) on the McClure River Ranch and on nearby BLM parcels, in unincorporated Garfield County, Colorado; Sections 31 & 32, Township 7 South, Range 87 West, 6th Principal Meridian. The surveyors were Rachel Kattnig, Eric Petterson, and Zoe Harbour. Orchids were recorded via GPS points when found present. In summary, three orchids were found in the Western Area, no orchids were found in the Middle Ditch area, six were found in the Duck Ponds Area, and one was found in the Two track area. No orchids were found in the BLM swale, but 5 were found along the banks of the Roaring Fork River, on BLM lands (the entire banks of the river on MRR property were not walked, due to limited suitable habitats). Because none of the groups located had over 10 blooming orchids, the rope counting monitoring was deemed unnecessary. All previously known populations on the property were visited during the survey and the cumulative population count was 15 blooming plants. Given how few blooming orchids were observed, and to ensure that the blooming period was not missed, a reference site downstream approximately 8-miles (as the crow flies) from the McClure River Ranch, along the Roaring Fork River in the Ironbridge subdivision was visited the same d ay. This reference site has been known to have the orchid since around 2008. The blooming plants at the reference site included well over 100 plants that seemed to be healthy and had normal phenology. This showed that the orchid was still in its blooming period when the survey was conducted. A.4.. RedMountain / '-'-Environmental USFWS BO Consistency Review Memo McClure River Ranch 9/24/2024 2 Table 1. Blooming Ute Ladies’-Tresses & Rope Counts Occurrence Area Names 2007 Full count 2008 Rope count 2009 Rope count 2010 Rope count 2021 Full count 2023 Full count 2024 Full count Western NA 175 412 419 76 95 3 Middle Ditch (aka Middle) NA 5 0 72 0 0 0 Duck Ponds (new area) NA NA NA NA 0 6 6 Two Track (new area) NA NA NA NA 2 3 1 Trees NA 3 54 85 0 0 0 BLM swale NA 117 58 29 0 0 0 Roaring Fork River (new area) NA NA NA NA NA 7 5 Totals >1,000 300 524 605 78 111 15 Note- the “new areas” called Duck Ponds and Two Track were occupied in 2008-2010, but individual orchids were not counted, given the abundance of orchids across the property. In 2007, rope counts were not conducted, but the population was estimated at over 1,000 blooming plants. An additional 7 blooming orchids were observed along the banks of the Roaring Fork River in 2023. The small size of the population observed could be the result of many different factors, but is likely due to weather patterns, and not a result of land management. For the orchid to reach its blooming period, the soil needs to be saturated all summer. Warmer and drier summer months could have dried out the soil in areas, making it harder for the plant to establish, and the timing of precipitation events could also be a factor. We could not ascertain any land management reasons the orchids would have had such a poor bloom in 2024; the areas visited had not seen recent herbicide treatment, no goat grazing or brush control had occurred in these areas, and there have been no changes to site hydrology. Because herbicide treatment was not applied in 2024, an abundance of noxious weeds was observed on the property; however, weeds were not overly abundant in most areas that had previously supported orchids. Overall, noxious weeds and brush cover has definitely reduced suitable habitat for orchids, but MRR is continuing to implement management (such as brush control in 2024 and grazing in 2023) to improve habitats. 2024 Orchid Monitoring Memo McClure River Ranch 9/24/2024 3 Figure 1: 2024 Orchid Survey Occurance Areas Ute Lady's Tresses Habitat McClure Rive r Ranch f r, ....,-Area of In vestigat ion D Township/Range/Section LJ Private Land LJ BLM Land Ute Lady's Tresses Areas Potentia l/Occup ied Orchid Ha bitat (2007) Orchid Rope Count Area (2007-2011) Occupied Orchid Populations (2023 -2024) D1scla1mer This product 1s for mformat1onal purposes and may not have been prepared for or be suitable for legal eng1naenng or surveying purposes Users of ttirs mformat1on should review or consult the pnmary data and mlormat1on sources to ascertain the usability of the rnformatJon The maps are d1Str1buled "AS-IS" without warranties of any kmd either expressed or 1mpl1ed mciudmg but not limited to warranties of su1tab 1l1ty to a particular purpose or use SCALE 1 :4,200 Date 9/24/2024 Location Carbondale. CO Created By RME Drawn By RK N A 2024 Orchid Monitoring Memo McClure River Ranch 9/24/2024 4 Project Name: McClure River Ranch Site Location: Date: Sept. 5, 2024 Photo Point “Western” habitat area. One of the blooming orchids in the Western area. Photo Point Remains of previous year (2023) blooming orchid. Western habitat area.