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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20252027.tiffResolution Approve Memorandum of Agreement for Prebles Meadow Jumping Mouse Mitigation Stipulations Required for Bridge 19/46.5A Replacement Project and Authorize Chair to Sign Whereas, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and Whereas, the Board has been presented with a Memorandum of Agreement for Prebles Meadow Jumping Mouse Mitigation Stipulations Required for the Bridge 19/46.5A Replacement Project among the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Department of Public Works, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Colorado Department of Transportation, commencing upon full execution of signatures, with further terms and conditions being as stated in said agreement, and Whereas, after review, the Board deems it advisable to approve said agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, that the Memorandum of Agreement for Prebles Meadow Jumping Mouse Mitigation Stipulations Required for the Bridge 19/46.5A Replacement Project among the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Department of Public Works, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Colorado Department of Transportation, be, and hereby is, approved. Be it further resolved by the Board that the Chair be, and hereby is, authorized to sign said agreement. c. %POCCH/DN/Kr(/M$/DD/S.) O8/22/25 2025-2027 EG0083 Memorandum of Agreement for Prebles Meadow Jumping Mouse Mitigation Stipulations Required for Bridge 19/46.5A Replacement Project The Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, approved the above and foregoing Resolution, on motion duly made and seconded, by the following vote on the 16th day of July, A.D., 2025: Perry L. Buck, Chair: Aye Scott K. James, Pro-Tem: Aye Jason S. Maxey: Aye Lynette Peppier: Aye Kevin D. Ross: Aye Approved as to Form: Bruce Barker, County Attorney Attest: Esther E. Gesick, Clerk to the Board 2025-2027 EG0083 Cor ac+IEg1Z9j BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PASS -AROUND REVIEW PASS -AROUND TITLE: Bridge 19/46.5A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) DEPARTMENT: Public Works DATE: June 30, 2025 PERSON REQUESTING: Michael Bedell, Don Dunker, and Curtis Hall Brief description of the problem/issue: This bridge project is located on WCR19 south of SH60 outside of Johnstown and is a total replacement project. This project has a CDOT (Special Highway Committee) off -system bridge grant in the amount of $500,000. Environmental investigations and required clearances have determined the project is likely to adversely affect the Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse (PMJM), an endangered species. Therefore, specific stipulations will be required of the County in accordance with oversight by the Colorado Department of Transportation, Federal Highways Administration, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A necessary part of the project shall entail protecting and/or re-establishing 3.966 acres of PMJM habitat. Weld County shall procure the services of a qualified environmental manager or management team to ensure all required conservation measures are implemented. What options exist for the Board? 1. Recommend approval for staff to move forward with establishing the MOA. 2. Request a work session with staff to discuss this request. Consequences: Approval would result in the Public Works staff being allowed to proceed with construction of the Bridge 19/46.5A Replacement Project. Impacts: The design phase of this project has been completed, and the ROW/Easements acquisition phase has commenced. Public Works estimates construction may commence in late 2026. Costs (Current Fiscal Year / Ongoing or Subsequent Fiscal Years): This project is included within the most recently approved 5 -year CIP and the total project cost is estimated at $10,430,860. The County Attorney's Office has reviewed and approved the MOA. Recommendation: Public Works recommends authorization to include the MOA on an upcoming BOCC public meeting agenda. Support Recommendation Schedule Place on BOCC Agenda Work Session Other/Comments: Perry L. Buck Scott K. James Jason S. Maxey Lynette Peppier Kevin D. Ross 3-pf _ Dud; OWL 2025-2027 "Ulu EC-10aS MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT Among The Federal Highway Administration, The Colorado Department of Transportation and Weld County Regarding Weld County Bridge 19/46.5A Project, Weld County, Colorado, CDOT Project C030-079, SA 23137 WHEREAS, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is providing funding and authorization to Weld County to replace the Weld County Bridge 19/46.5A on the Little Thompson River between the towns of Johnstown and Milliken in Weld County, Colorado (Project). WHEREAS, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) carries out activities for Federal -Aid transportation projects on behalf of FHWA, including contracting, project selection, project development, construction oversight,and post -construction monitoring. WHEREAS, FHWA is the lead federal agency for the Project and is responsible for consulting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) when a proposed action will impact threatened or endangered species and/or designated critical habitat. WHEREAS, FHWA has determined the Project may affect, and is likely to adversely affect the Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) (PMJM), a species listed as federally threatened under the ESA as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the Interagency Cooperative Regulations (50 CFR 402). WHEREAS, the Service has agreed that the Project may affect, and is likely to adversely affect PMJM and has issued its final Biological Opinion (BO) (2025-0060201) to FHWA defining specific measures required, that when implemented would avoid and minimize impactsto PMJM and its habitat. Critical habitat has not been designated in the project area; therefore, none will be affected. WHEREAS, Weld County, with oversight by CDOT, will construct the Project following all federal, state, and local regulations required for Federal -Aid projects with oversight by state DOTs. WHEREAS, FHWA will delegate its responsibilities, as defined in the BO, to Weld County for implementation into the Project during and after construction is complete and untilsuch time the Service determines all Terms and Conditions of the BO have been fulfilled. WHEREAS, the Project will not be approved for advertisement and construction until FHWA, CDOT, and Weld County have agreed to this MOA. June 5, 2025 II WHEREAS, Weld County will allow CDOT to review the plans, specifications, and estimates developed for the project to ensure that all appropriate measures of the biological assessment (BA) and BO have been included. NOW, THEREFORE, to take into account the effect of the Project on PMJM in compliance with Section 7 of the ESA, FHWA, CDOT, and Weld County agree that the Project shall be implemented in accordance with the following stipulations of the BO issued for this project. Including: STIPULATIONS Weld County shall ensure that the following stipulations are implemented: I. Reasonable and Prudent Measures The reasonable and prudent measures, and implementing terms and conditions, minimize the effects of incidental take that might otherwise result from the action. In addition to the Conservation Measures already proposed as part of the project description, the Service believes that the following reasonable and prudent measures are necessary and appropriate to minimize the impacts of incidental take of the Preble's meadow jumping mouse: 1. Weld County will monitor the extent of habitat impacted to ensure that it does not exceed the authorized area or the authorized take limits. 2. Weld County will monitor all aspects of restoration to assure its completion and success. 3. Weld County will ensure that best management practices and conservationmeasures designed to minimize take are implemented and successful. IL Terms and Conditions In order to be exempt from the prohibitions of section 9 of the Act, Weld County must comply with the following terms and conditions, which implement the reasonable and prudent measures described above and outline required reporting/monitoring. These terms and conditions are non -discretionary and shall include. The following terms and conditions implement reasonable and prudent measures: 1. Weld County shall ensure that proposed conservation measures and recommendations (outlined in the BO under Monitoring, Success Criteria for Habitat Mitigation, Conservation Measures, and as listed in the BA) are formally adopted and implemented. 2. Weld County or its agent will designate a qualified environmental manager or management team to be onsite to inform workers of permit conditions, monitor construction, and assure that habitat avoidance and conservation measures are implemented. June 5, 2025 El 3. Weld County will ensure that the implementation of Preble's meadow jumping mouse habitat restoration will be supervised by a qualified ecologist experienced in habitat restoration. This includes the implementation of an approved integrated weed management plan. 4. Weld County will include as a binding condition of project approval that annual monitoring of onsite restoration and enhancement efforts, and noxious weeds, be conducted. Monitoring will extend for at least three growing seasons (or until such a time as FHWA and the Service determine that proposed revegetation has been successfully completed). Success criteria were described previously in the Success Criteria for Habitat Mitigation section on page 9, as well as in the biological assessment. 5. In the unlikely event a Preble's meadow jumping mouse or any other federally listed species is killed or injured during project activities, notify the Service's Colorado Field Office in Lakewood (303) 236-4773 within ten (10) days. The Service believes that the proposed action will adversely affect no more than 3.966 acres of Preble's meadow jumping mouse habitat, resulting in incidental take of no more than 1.5 Preble's meadow jumping mice. The reasonable and prudent measures, with their implementing terms and conditions, are designed to minimize the impact of incidental take that might otherwise result from the proposed action. If, during the course of the action, this level of incidental take is exceeded, such incidental takerepresents new information requiring re -initiation of consultation and review of the reasonable and prudent measures provided. Weld County must immediately provide an explanation of the causes of the increased level of taking and review with CDOT and FHWA, which may lead to possible modification of the reasonable and prudent measures for which Weld County would ultimately be responsible. June 5. 2025 II MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT Among The Federal Highway Administration, The Colorado Department of Transportation and Weld County Regarding Weld County Bridge 19/46.5A Project, Weld County, Colorado, CDOT Project C030-079, SA 23137 SIGNATORIES: Federal Highway Administration JOHN MARTIN CATER John M. Carter, P.E. Division Administrator Digitally signed by JOHN MARTIN CATER Date: 2025.08.07 13:34:12-0600DATE: Colorado Department of Transportation Heather Paddock Region 4 Transportation Director ounty DATE: 1 a� 1 QS JUL 1 6 2025 Deny ck GZ Chair, Weld County Attest: W.aaf. Deputy Clerk to the Weld Cou¢fy Board lime ;. 2025 1111 ZOZS-2021 Contract Form Entity Information Entity Name* COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Entity ID* @00003413 Contract Name* BRIDGE 19-46.5A MOA FOR PREBLES MEADOW JUMPING MOUSE Contract Status CTB REVIEW Q New Entity? Contract ID 9729 Contract Lead * MBEDELL Contract Lead Email MBedell@weld.gov Parent Contract ID Requires Board Approval YES Department Project # GR-54 Contract Description* A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT (MOA) ASSOCIATED WITH PREBLES MEADOW JUMPING MOUSE MITIGATION MEASURES REQUIRED FOR THE BRIDGE 19-46.5A REPLACEMENT PROJECT. Contract Description 2 Contract Type* Department AGREEMENT PUBLIC WORKS Amount* $ 0.00 Renewable* NO Automatic Renewal NO Grant NO IGA YES Department Email CM- PublicWorks@weld.gov Department Head Email CM-PublicWorks- DeptHead@weld.gov County Attorney GENERAL COUNTY ATTORNEY EMAIL County Attorney Email CM- COUNTYATTORNEY@WEL D.GOV IGA Deadline Date Requested BOCC Agenda Due Date Date* 07/12/2025 07/16/2025 Will a work session with BOCC be required?* NO Does Contract require Purchasing Dept. to be included? NO If this is a renewal enter previous Contract ID If this is part of a MSA enter MSA Contract ID Note: the Previous Contract Number and Master Services Agreement Number should be left blank if those contracts are not in OnBase Contract Dates Effective Date Termination Notice Period Contact Information Review Date* 12/31/2025 Committed Delivery Date Renewal Date Expiration Date* 12/31/2028 Contact Info Contact Name Contact Type Contact Email Contact Phone 1 Contact Phone 2 Purchasing Purchasing Approver Purchasing Approved Date Approval Process Department Head Finance Approver Legal Counsel .CURTIS HALL CHERYL PATTELLI BYRON HOWELL DH Approved Date Finance Approved Date Legal Counsel Approved Date 07/08/2025 07/08/2025 07/08/2025 Final Approval BOCC Approved Tyler Ref # AG 071625 BOCC Signed Date Originator MBEDELL BOCC Agenda Date 07/16/2025 Hello