Sugnet Environmental - Environmental Planning

Sugnet & Moore continues to provide environmental services on the 800-acre Three Springs project located just east of Durango. The firm is in the process of designing and constructing 7.5 acres of off-site wetland mitigation for the project at the Animas River Wetland Mitigation site located north of Durango. Sugnet is also is assisting GRVP with the implementation of the Three Springs on-site wetland mitigation plan (developed by Sugnet) which includes over 50 acres of wetland wetland creation, enhancement, and preservation. Finally, Sugnet continues to provide GRVP with collection and analysis of ground and surface water quality data on the project site during construction as required by the conditions of the 404 Permit.

Sugnet & Moore water quality scientists have been performing on-going, monthly water quality sampling and flow measurements within the Dolores River and Scotch Creek Watershed near Rico, Colorado. The sampling includes both surface and groundwater sampling at 18 locations; all performed to State of Colorado and EPA standards. Results of the sampling will be used to assess the effects of historic mining on the Town of Rico’s water quality.

Sugnet & Moore scientists managed the collection of over 1,500 soil samples within the Town of Rico in a two month period. Under the state’s Voluntary Clean-Up Program (VCUP), the commercial and residential sampling was overseen by the State of Colorado and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The goal of the program is to determine the extent of lead contamination in the soil samples and to develop and implement the most-appropriate clean-up measures for each contaminated site.

Silverpick Development La Plata County, Colorado

Sugnet & Moore is currently in the process of completing a 404 Permit with the USCAOE for the proposed 90.3 acre expansion of the Silverpick resort located just south of Durango Mountian Resort along U.S. Highway 550. As part of the Section 404 permit application, Sugnet has completed a wetland delineation, biological assessment and archaeological studies. Sugnet also completed an on-site wetland mitigation plan for impacts to 0.14 acres of wetlands. Sugnet also worked collaboratively with Bechtolt Engineering to complete a stormwater management plan for the project (both during construction and after build-out) which would help protect the upper Animas River watershed from potential negative effects to water quality.

In September, Durango Mountain Resorts commenced construction of on-site wetland mitigation to compensate for wetland impacts in Engineer Village. Excavation, initial seeding and planting is complete on this site which is located on the northern edge of Twilight Lake (a snow making storage reservoir). This location is ideal for mitigation since the water level is controlled throughout the growing season. This site will be monitored for the next five years to ensure the successful establishment of a diverse sedge/rush-dominated emergent wetland community.

As a subcontractor to Bechtolt Engineering and on behalf of the Rivergate Corporation, Sugnet completed CDOT environmental clearances for intersection improvements along State Highway 3-Sawmill Road south of Durango, Colorado. The CDOT environmental clearances included a biological assessment, modified environmental site assessment (MESA), and Section 404 compliance.

Awarded in the summer of 2004, Sugnet & Moore is currently working on the following projects for La Plata County Engineering: Animas River Bridge wetland mitigation, Buck Highway wetland mitigation, and the Self’s Hill Bridge 404 Permit process. Sugnet designed a 0.25 acre on-site wetland mitigation plan for the Animas River Bridge Site which involved planting native vegetation found at a reference site adjacent to the project area. The Buck Highway wetland mitigation entailed restoring 0.10 of wetlands onsite. Off-site the wetland mitigation plan called for the restoration of 0.23 acres along the Los Piños River and the creation of 0.24 acres of buffer adjacent to the restored wetlands. The Self’s Hill project involved mitigating impacts to 0.10 palustrine shrub wetlands on-site.

Sugnet & Moore has been working as a subcontractor to Bechtolt and on behalf of the City of Durango Engineering Department to complete a 404 Permit for road safety improvements on Goeglein Gulch Road. The intent of the project is to improve road safety in the corridor connecting the City of Durango to the Fort Lewis College mesa. Currently, Sugnet is completing the wetland delineation and the jurisdictional determination report for this project.

As a subcontractor to Davis Engineering and on behalf of the Town of Pagosa, Sugnet recently completed several Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) environmental clearances for the 4.3 acre road reconstruction enhancement project. Under this T-21 CDOT funded project, Sugnet completed a MESA, a biological assessment, wetland delineation, wetland finding report, farmland conversion impact rating, wetland mitigation site selection form, and an on-site wetland mitigation plan.

The Town of Pagosa Springs is in the process of constructing a paved recreationaltrail near the Pagosa Town Hall. On behalf of the Town of Pagosa and in coordination with Davis Engineering, Sugnet has completed a wetland delineation to establish the eastern limits of the San Juan River floodplain wetland system for a 1400-foot segment of the project corridor. This segment will connect the existing trail near town park, at the north end, to the proposed sports park complex and high school to the south.

Sugnet & Moore is currently working through 404 Individual Permit process for this 156 residential-unit subdivision proposed located in the City of Alamosa municipal golf course in conjunction with Davis Engineering of Pagosa Springs. Sugnet has completed a biological assessment, archaeological studies, wetland mitigation plan, and southwestern willow flycatcher surveys for this project.

On behalf of South Durango Sanitation District and San Juan Engineering, Sugnet is in process of delineating wetlands boundaries of the Wilson Gulch drainage. The project involves the ongoing sewer line upgrade for an existing line that runs form Farmington Hill to Three Springs project area. This upgrade will accommodate treatment of anticipated development in the Grandview area. Sugnet is working with San Juan Engineering in order to avoid and minimize wetland impacts associated with the sewer line upgrade. Once the best alignment has been determined Sugnet will assist San Juan through the 404 Permit process for construction of the upgrade.

Sugnet & Moore is currently working with a team of architects and engineers to complete a master plan for the first phase of mixed use development adjacent to the Mercy Medical Center Hospital project at Grandview. Public landscape elements include a system of parks, streetscape and drainage system improvements.

Sugnet & Mooret also recently completed preliminary concepts for a 75-acre community park for the City of Durango at the Three Springs site. The park would include play fields, trails, tennis courts, picnic areas and a pond.

Sugnet & Moore completed visual impact studies and landscape improvement concepts for the expansion of the Silverpick complex near Durango Mountain resort. The study included before and after sketches of proposed landscape improvements.

Sugnet & Moore has recently completed plans for the creation of approximately 4 acres of wetlands at a site in South Fork, Colorado. The wetlands will be interspersed within the development and will be an amenity along the loop trail system.

Sugnet & Moore recently assisted the town of Mancos with plans to renovate Boyle Park. The improvements are funded by Greater Outdoors Colorado grants and include adding a playground, playfields and improvements to the existing restroom/concessions structure.