While exploring the Bear Creek stormwater facility site, I found this young buck foraging for food along Bear Creek behind Safeway. Grass and shrubs must have been scarce from the flooding. The buck crossed Avondale Way and headed downtown, but then came back. It was touch and go crossing Avondale Way. Both lanes of traffic stopped. Do you see him on the shoulder of the road? Can you believe it? (click upper right photo to enlarge). You can see Bear Creek flooding onto the trail that goes under the Avondale Way bridge. Normally the buck would probably take the safe way North under the bridge, but you can see it's blocked by the flood. When the new stormwater facility on Bear Creek is built, food and shelter will probably be in shorter supply; since ~ 3,000 sf of riparian buffer will be lost.
by Bob Yoder
Photos taken today when walking the stormwater project site.
Fascinating photos! I guess the young deer didn't understand that when it comes to crossing highways, "the buck stops here" should be his rule to live by.
ReplyDeleteDoes the stormwater project include mitigation and development of other buffer areas?
ReplyDeleteI'll be getting a report from the City next week. Writing off the cuff, yes, they will be doing some mitigating. But almost 3000 sf will be permanently lost. A Reasonable Use Exception permit appeal will expire next week. The Technical Committee claims no net loss. Restoration along the creek side of the facility is planned. Enhancement (tree and shrub planting) on the other side is up to the tree line. Total restoration and enhancement mitigation will be on about 3500 square feet. 16 significant trees will be removed and each one will be replaced with one tree. Some significant trees are only 4 inches and may not have been counted. This project will have a significant impact on the natural riparian corridor. I'll post an entry next week.
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