Balancing Wetland Protection with Landowner Interests in ... · Mesic Meadow (uplands) 16.31 47...

Balancing Wetland Protection with Balancing Wetland Protection with Landowner Interests in Utah Landowner Interests in Utah

County, UtahCounty, Utah

June 5, 2007June 5, 2007Association of State Wetland ManagersAssociation of State Wetland Managers

Western State WorkshopWestern State WorkshopPark City, UtahPark City, Utah

Andy Herb, Ecologist/OwnerAlpine Ecological Resources (AlpineEco)

Denver, CO

Project OverviewProject OverviewProject SettingProject SettingWetland DescriptionWetland DescriptionTrail Alignment/Working with LandownersTrail Alignment/Working with LandownersMitigation PlanMitigation PlanStatus Report Status Report ConclusionsConclusions

Balancing Wetland Protection with Balancing Wetland Protection with Landowner Interests: Landowner Interests: OutlineOutline

Provo/Jordan River ParkwayUtah County Public Works DepartmentProject purpose14.5 miles of paved trail

Wetland Protection and Landowner Wetland Protection and Landowner Interests: Interests: Project OverviewProject Overview

Jordan RiverDry CreekSpring CreekAmerican Fork DrainAmerican Fork Boat HarborTimpanogos Sewer PondsBattle CreekLindon Boat HarborGeneva PondsOrem-Sleepy Ridge GCPowell SloughProvo River

Section 404 of the Clean Water ActSection 404 of the Clean Water Act


Wetland delineationWetland delineationThreatened and endangered species surveysThreatened and endangered species surveysCultural Resources surveyCultural Resources survey

Wetland Protection and Landowner Wetland Protection and Landowner Interests: Interests: Project SettingProject Setting

Lake Fringe HabitatsLake Fringe HabitatsMesicMesic meadow (includes agricultural areas)meadow (includes agricultural areas)DisturbedDisturbedRiparianRiparianWetlandWetland


Lake Fringe Habitats (Lake Fringe Habitats (MesicMesic Meadow)Meadow)


Lake Fringe Habitats (Disturbed)Lake Fringe Habitats (Disturbed)


Lake Fringe Habitats (Riparian)Lake Fringe Habitats (Riparian)


Lake Fringe Habitats (Wetland)Lake Fringe Habitats (Wetland)


Consortium for ProtectionConsortium for ProtectionJune Sucker Recovery Implementation ProgramJune Sucker Recovery Implementation Program

USFWS, USBR, DOI USFWS, USBR, DOI DNR, CUWCD, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and DNR, CUWCD, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission, Provo River Water Users Conservation Commission, Provo River Water Users Association, Provo Reservoir Water Users Company, Association, Provo Reservoir Water Users Company, other local outdoor and environmental groupsother local outdoor and environmental groups

Utah Lake CommissionUtah Lake Commission


Importance of LakeImportance of LakeIrrigationIrrigationRecreationRecreation

FishingFishingBoatingBoatingBirdingBirding

Wildlife HabitatWildlife Habitat


Wetland Protection and Landowner Wetland Protection and Landowner Interests: Interests: Wetland DescriptionWetland Description

UplandsUplands AcresAcres % of Study Area% of Study AreaMesicMesic Meadow (uplands)Meadow (uplands) 16.31 16.31 4747Disturbed (uplands)Disturbed (uplands) 8.42 8.42 2424Riparian Woodland (uplands)Riparian Woodland (uplands) 0.33 0.33 11SubtotalSubtotal 25.06 ac25.06 ac 72%72%

WetlandsWet Meadow (wetlands) 5.25 15Shallow Marsh (wetlands) 2.97 8Deep Marsh (wetlands) 0.02 <1Scrub/Shrub (wetlands) 0.02 <1Subtotal 8.26 ac 24%

Total Vegetated Area 33.32 ac 95%

Summary of Field WorkSummary of Field Work



WetlandsWetlandsWet Meadow (wetlands)Wet Meadow (wetlands) 5.25 5.25 1515Shallow Marsh (wetlands)Shallow Marsh (wetlands) 2.97 2.97 88Deep Marsh (wetlands) Deep Marsh (wetlands) 0.02 0.02 <1<1Scrub/Shrub (wetlands) Scrub/Shrub (wetlands) 0.02 0.02 <1<1SubtotalSubtotal 8.26 ac8.26 ac 24%24%

Total Vegetated Area 33.32 ac 95%




WetlandsWetlandsWet Meadow (wetlands)Wet Meadow (wetlands) 5.25 5.25 1515Shallow Marsh (wetlands)Shallow Marsh (wetlands) 2.97 2.97 88Deep Marsh (wetlands) Deep Marsh (wetlands) 0.02 0.02 <1<1Scrub/Shrub (wetlands) Scrub/Shrub (wetlands) 0.02 0.02 <1<1SubtotalSubtotal 8.26 ac8.26 ac 24%24%

Total Vegetated AreaTotal Vegetated Area 33.32 ac33.32 ac 95%95%


Wetland Types: Wet MeadowWetland Types: Wet Meadow


Common Plants:

Distichlis spicataPhalaris arundinaceaPhragmites australis

Xanthium strumariumLepidium latifolium

Cirsium arvense



Primary Functions:TES Habitat

Groundwater discharge

Secondary Functions:Flood attenuation

Water quality improvementFood chain support

Shoreline stabilization

Suitable Spiranthes diluvialis habitat



Xanthium strumarium monoculture several years after a utility line installation

Wetland Types: Shallow MarshWetland Types: Shallow Marsh


Common Plants:

Phragmites australis

Primary Functions:Groundwater discharge

Secondary Functions:Flood attenuation

Water quality improvement

Food chain supportShoreline stabilization

Wetland Types: Deep MarshWetland Types: Deep Marsh


Common Plants:

Schoenoplectus acutusSchoenoplectus tabernaemontani

Schoenoplectus maritimusTypha latifolia

Wetland Types: Deep MarshWetland Types: Deep Marsh


Primary Functions:Water storage

Food chain supportGroundwater discharge

Secondary Functions:Fish and wildlife habitat

Water quality improvementShoreline stabilization

Flood attenuation

Wetland Types: Scrub/ShrubWetland Types: Scrub/Shrub


Primary Functions:Wildlife habitat

Shoreline stabilization

Secondary Functions:Water quality improvement

Food chain support

Common Plants:Salix exigua

Tamarix ramosissimaPhalaris arundinacea

Highly Unique Fens Highly Unique Fens Permanent groundwater dischargePermanent groundwater dischargePeteetneetPeteetneet Peat soilsPeat soilsHistorically: unique plants (and animals?)Historically: unique plants (and animals?)ULT habitat/known populationsULT habitat/known populations


Alternative Analysis: DriversAlternative Analysis: DriversInherent value of natural habitatsInherent value of natural habitatsSection 404: Avoidance and minimization/LEDPASection 404: Avoidance and minimization/LEDPAEndangered Species Act: Ute ladiesEndangered Species Act: Ute ladies’’--tressestressesLandowner interestsLandowner interestsTrail Trail useabilityuseability: linkages, overall recreation potential, : linkages, overall recreation potential, educational opportunitieseducational opportunities

Wetland Protection and Landowner Wetland Protection and Landowner Interests: Interests: Trail AlignmentTrail Alignment

Alternative AnalysisAlternative AnalysisFour basic approaches:Four basic approaches:

Maximum avoidance of wetlandsMaximum avoidance of wetlandsMaximum avoidance of private propertyMaximum avoidance of private propertyMost direct route Most direct route Balance of wetland and private property avoidanceBalance of wetland and private property avoidance

Preferred Alternative:Preferred Alternative:


Alternative AnalysisAlternative AnalysisFour basic approaches:Four basic approaches:

Maximum avoidance of wetlandsMaximum avoidance of wetlandsMaximum avoidance of private propertyMaximum avoidance of private propertyMost direct route Most direct route Balance of wetland and private property avoidanceBalance of wetland and private property avoidance

Preferred Alternative:Preferred Alternative:The Balanced Approach!!!The Balanced Approach!!!


Preferred Alternative (Balanced Approach)Preferred Alternative (Balanced Approach)Smart planningSmart planningUse of existing roads, social trails, and other Use of existing roads, social trails, and other disturbed areas wherever possibledisturbed areas wherever possibleMuch of alignment based on Much of alignment based on current current landuseslanduses and and wetland functionswetland functions


Maximum Avoidance of WetlandsMaximum Avoidance of WetlandsVery costly; doesnVery costly; doesn’’t meet project purpose (too far t meet project purpose (too far from lake)from lake)

Maximum Avoidance of Private PropertyMaximum Avoidance of Private PropertyExtreme wetland impactsExtreme wetland impacts

Most Direct RouteMost Direct RouteExtreme wetland impacts; very costly; doesnExtreme wetland impacts; very costly; doesn’’t meet t meet project purposeproject purpose


Landowner Interests: Current Landowner Interests: Current landuseslandusesGrazing: cattle, horsesGrazing: cattle, horsesAgriculture: sod farm, corn, alfalfa, minkAgriculture: sod farm, corn, alfalfa, minkRural residential (privacy)Rural residential (privacy)Recreation: hunting, camping, boating, golfRecreation: hunting, camping, boating, golfIndustrial/Commercial: Geneva Steel, Sewer DistrictIndustrial/Commercial: Geneva Steel, Sewer DistrictWildlife habitat???Wildlife habitat???


Landowner Interests (contLandowner Interests (cont’’d)d)Between 50 and 100 owners to negotiate withBetween 50 and 100 owners to negotiate withMany were Many were ““quickquick--claimclaim”” deedsdeedsMost parcels fallow or abandoned; likely historically Most parcels fallow or abandoned; likely historically agriculture/grazingagriculture/grazingSupport from some: wetland and habitat Support from some: wetland and habitat preservation; preservation; ““open spaceopen space””


Landowner Interests (contLandowner Interests (cont’’d)d)Avoid condemnationAvoid condemnationCounty is committed to teamwork/coordinationCounty is committed to teamwork/coordination

Dozens of landownersDozens of landownersTowns of: Towns of: LehiLehi, Saratoga, American Fork, Orem and , Saratoga, American Fork, Orem and VineyardVineyardJune Sucker Recovery ProgramJune Sucker Recovery ProgramGeneva SteelGeneva SteelTimpanogosTimpanogos Sewer DistrictSewer DistrictResidential developersResidential developers


Wetland Preservation/Restoration Wetland Preservation/Restoration Conduct fen studyConduct fen studyPurchase approximately 150 acres of wetlands Purchase approximately 150 acres of wetlands currently under immanent threat (including fens)currently under immanent threat (including fens)

Buy land from 10Buy land from 10--20 different landowners20 different landownersAlready purchased a 30Already purchased a 30--acre parcel with at least 10 acres acre parcel with at least 10 acres of deep marshof deep marshRemove grazing, agriculture, development threat in Remove grazing, agriculture, development threat in perpetuityperpetuity

Wetland Protection and Landowner Wetland Protection and Landowner Interests: Interests: Mitigation PlanMitigation Plan

Grazing EffectsGrazing Effects


Agriculture EffectsAgriculture Effects


Development EffectsDevelopment Effects


Permit StatusPermit StatusSummer/fall 2007Summer/fall 2007

Construction ScheduleConstruction ScheduleBased on acquisitions and fundingBased on acquisitions and funding

Expected OppositionExpected OppositionGeneral support; some landowners still oppose General support; some landowners still oppose

Wetland Protection and Landowner Wetland Protection and Landowner Interests: Interests: Status ReportStatus Report

Strategic Mitigation PlanningStrategic Mitigation PlanningKnow the players and the resource Know the players and the resource Look for threatened (at risk) or unique systemsLook for threatened (at risk) or unique systemsCoordinate with other agencies to work toward Coordinate with other agencies to work toward common goalcommon goal…….UDOT, Corps, USFWS, DWR.UDOT, Corps, USFWS, DWRAvoid piecemeal mitigation.Avoid piecemeal mitigation.

Wetland Protection and Landowner Wetland Protection and Landowner Interests: Interests: ConclusionsConclusions

Paul Hawker, Utah County Public WorksPaul Hawker, Utah County Public WorksClyde Naylor, Utah County Public WorksClyde Naylor, Utah County Public Works

URS CorporationURS CorporationASWMASWM

Wetland Protection and Landowner Wetland Protection and Landowner Interests: Interests: GratuitiesGratuities

Questions?Questions?

Andy Herb, Ecologist/OwnerAlpine Ecological Resources (AlpineEco)

1127 Adams StreetDenver, CO 80206

[email protected]

Balancing Wetland Protection with Landowner Interests in ... · Mesic Meadow (uplands) 16.31 47...

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