The Buffer Zone around the Rocky Flats Industrial Area is one of only a few areas along Colorado’s Front Range that has remained largely undisturbed by encroaching development. The Buffer Zone contains several unique assemblages of animals and vegetation, as well as several rare and imperiled species. The ecological monitoring activities described in this section have been designed by DOE and its contractors to provide data with which to assess and manage these valuable natural resources. In addition to monitoring, the Ecology Program takes management actions to protect the ecological resources at the Site. Monitoring The Ecological Monitoring Program is designed to provide data that can be used in management and conservation decision-making during Site cleanup activities that will occur over the next several years. The data will also help to demonstrate compliance with applicable natural resource protective regulations. Although there are a number of smaller plant associations and larger plant communities on the Site, Site ecologists monitor key variables in the five major vegetation communities and other habitats. These plant communities provide habitat to a diverse wildlife population which is also monitored under the Ecology Program. Changes in any of these variables would trigger decision-making regarding management actions necessary for ecological protection and compliance. Comparisons of monitoring data from year to year enable ecologists to detect changes, identify potential causes, and plan corrective actions for adverse changes that result from Site activities, rather than from natural fluctuations. Click here to see the Integrated Monitoring Plan Executive Summary. The different terrestrial habitats that are routinely surveyed for ecological health include:
A special monitoring effort has been focused on the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse in recent years. This species is of particular concern because it has been listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, and is thus afforded special federal protection from harm. Studies of the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse are being conducted to monitor the status of the mouse at the Site. Data collected during several years of monitoring have contributed significantly to what is known of the natural history and habitat preferences of the mouse. Click here to see the most recent map Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse designated protection areas. A special protection plan for the mouse provides guidance to Site projects and activities on how and where the mouse and its habitat must be protected at the Site. Click here to see the Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse Protection Plan for the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, 2000. In addition to monitoring the terrestrial vegetation communities, the ecological health of the aquatic ecosystem is periodically assessed.
Click on the links below to view a list of species and vegetation found at Rocky Flats.
Ecological Resource Managment The Ecology Program is also responsible for formulating ecological resource management strategies that will preserve and enhance the condition of the wildlife habitats and plant communities at the Site. In recent years the Annual Vegetation Management Plan for the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site has expanded its efforts in weed control and other proactive management actions such as the development of a prescribed burning program. The weed control program has been successful in reversing the infestation of diffuse knapweed over a large portion of the Site, and continues to combat the spread of other species as well. To aid in the effort to combat weeds, and properly manage and maintain native plant communities at the Site, the Ecology Program helps projects that will cause soil disturbances to develop proper revegetation strategies. This ensures only desired native plant species are reestablished where soil is disturbed. Click on the links below to find more information on the following topics:
Weed Control: Aerial Herbicide Application Invasions of non-native vegetation at Site are degrading existing habitat quality, reducing the coverage of the Site’s high-value vegetation communities, and adversely affecting the conservation of Buffer Zone resources. To exercise good stewardship, preserve the natural resources in the Buffer Zone, and to comply with regulations, it is necessary to control existing and future infestations of weeds. Diffuse knapweed infestations on the Site are so serious that aerial herbicide application has been added to ground application of herbicides as well as other conventional weed control methods. Aerial herbicide application has allowed cost-effective application over much larger acreage than can be accomplished by ground equipment, and has given the Site a chance to reverse the spread of diffuse knapweed. Over time, other methods can be combined with this more drastic method to eventually bring this very problematic noxious weed under control. It is hoped that in the foreseeable future, knapweed control will become only a maintenance activity. Unfortunately, no present methodology can entirely eliminate an infestation.
The use of prescribed burns is a successful management tool to help control weeds, reduce plant litter, recycle nutrients, and improve the health and vigor of the native plant communities. A specific burn prescription plan has been developed based on the specific management objectives for native grasslands at the Site. A properly timed prescribed burn can stress many of the undesirable weedy species in the plant communities while promoting the growth of the desired native species. Combined with the herbicide treatments and other weed control measures, the use of fire can help to reduce the weed problem at the Site while improving the vigor and competitiveness of native species. A longterm prescribed burning program will improve the overall health and condition of the plant communities at the Site, and improve the condition of the wildlife habitat as well. In the spring of 2000 a small test burn was conducted on the Site. A longterm prescribed burn plan has been proposed, and is awaiting final approval. This management action is greatly needed, and will also provide fuel load reduction from a wildfire control standpoint. Such a program can improve wildlife habitat, plant community vigor and public safety conditions.
Revegetation with Native Plants The Ecology Program custom designs revegetation plans for specific projects that cause soil disturbances. Timely revegetation with native species helps provide weed control, reduces erosion, and more quickly reestablishes wildlife habitat. Eventually the entire Industrial Area of the Site will be revegetated with native plant species. When a new revegetation plan is required, the ecologists inventory the surrounding plant community and custom design a seed mixture to mimic the surrounding native plant community as well as possible. Trial and error has provided information on the best seeding methodology and timing to give the best germination and survival results for revegetation at the Site. |
