ERO assisted Douglas County and the Towns of Castle Rock, Larkspur, and Parker with the development of the Douglas County Regional Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and is currently in the process of amending and extending the HCP. As part of this effort, ERO mapped more than 275 stream miles of Preble’s habitat using aerial photography and field surveys. All mapping data were entered into a GIS database to allow calculation of potential impacts on the habitat from future County and town projects, determine the amount of Preble’s habitat already protected through open space or conservation easements, and compare protected acreages and stream miles to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)-proposed critical habitat and recovery objectives. The HCP received a collaboration award from the Denver Regional Council of Governments.
Since adoption of the HCP, ERO has assisted the Towns of Parker and Castle Rock with implementation of the plan by providing annual monitoring and reporting in connection with an incidental take permit (ITP) issued by the USFWS. The ITP allows the take of Preble’s and impacts on Preble’s habitat associated with specified town activities. Implementation includes overseeing construction to document implementation and maintenance of Best Management Practices and ensure compliance with the HCP revegetation guidelines, assisting with review of restoration and revegetation plans, and recommending (as needed) compliance guidance with HCP requirements.
