SKYLINE TODAY SUBMITS IN-DEPTH BIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS
FOR THE CLIFFS TO ADA COUNTY
Study began last summer and recommends measures to protect wildlife

BOISE – Skyline Development Corporation today submitted a detailed biological study for The Cliffs as part of its application to Ada County for the conservation-based planned community to be built above the Black Cliffs near Idaho 21 and Warm Springs Avenue.
The 75-page document, by Accipiter Consulting of Boise, represents eight months of on-the-ground study and scientific assessment of the condition of the land and its potential for restoration under different development scenarios.
“The report makes clear the optimum development plan would involve conscientious habitat restoration, preservation of open space and regulation and education of the residents,” said Tucker Johnson, Skyline’s vice president and project manager for The Cliffs. “We are working toward that vision.”
The report describes the current conditions on the property for wildlife, vegetation and habitat. It also presents, contrasts and evaluates two development alternatives: The Cliffs as proposed, vs. the current one-home-per-40-acres zoning. The report also suggests conservation measures that would minimize harm and maximize benefit to vegetation and habitat, wildlife, and special-status species.

According to today’s biological report:
• At least 80 percent of the site is highly degraded, consisting of noxious weeds, invasive foreign species and fire-damaged range, and this has significantly reduced the land’s historic ability to provide food and shelter for a variety of wildlife.
• Current zoning law, which allows one dwelling per 40 acres, “has a greater potential for spread of noxious weeds, wildfire and indirect impacts to the Boise River Wildlife Management Area,” the report states. Johnson added that these indirect impacts could include more septic tanks, increased fire danger and fences to block wildlife.
• When Skyline successfully restores the native habitat on the property, The Plateau will be able to support several times the number of deer it currently can support, based on available forage.
• Skyline should require all dogs be on leash whenever outside their fenced yards or the fenced dog parks; close the wildlife habitat area on The Cliffs between November and April; require landscaping near the wildlife habitat buffer with native plants; and establish an education program for residents and the public to instill environmental values.
“This report doesn’t gloss over the challenges we face,” Johnson said. “The land is fragile and in poor condition and it’s only with the strongest commitment to planning and stewardship that we can make it better.”
In addition to deer, many other native species will benefit from habitat enhancement, such as small mammals, reptiles and several species of birds, such as the loggerhead shrike and lesser goldfinch, which have special conservation status. Skyline also plans to water riparian draws. This would allow new species to occupy the plateau, like migratory birds and some amphibians, according to the report.
The report points out some species will need extra attention. For example, Skyline will create wildlife food plots, including alfalfa patches, expressly for antelope on the flattest areas within the wildlife buffer, because antelope prefer flatter ground. According to the report, other species that would not benefit, or benefit less, include birds like the long-billed curlew, and grassland nesting raptors such as the northern harrier.
“We will present all information forthrightly. The report identifies some species will increase in numbers and some will not,” Johnson said. “But the report makes clear the alternative - unplanned 40-acre ranchettes - could degrade the environment further and our development model, when complete, will provide the most benefit to the greatest number of species of the two scenarios analyzed.”
Johnson invited the public to thoroughly review the report at www.thecliffs.com.
As currently envisioned, The Cliffs will be a 707-acre conservation-based planned community of approximately 1,200 to 1,400 homes and supporting services. At least half of the land will be set aside as permanent open space, the majority of which will be restored habitat for a variety of wildlife. All wastewater will be purified on-site to a level that exceeds the current quality of the Boise River and this water will irrigate upland slope areas and draws.
Skyline sought out the highest level of expertise in Accipiter Consulting. The professionals who produced the report include:
• Greg Kaltenecker, a graduate of Boise State University, a local bird expert and co-founder of the Idaho Bird Observatory, an education and research unit of Boise State University. The Idaho Environmental Education Association named him an Environmental Educator of the Year in 2004.
• Jerry Scholten, a expert on local big game, who retired from Idaho Department of Fish and Game in 2005 after 30 years serving as the manager of the Boise River Wildlife Management Area.
• Doug Copsey, a documentary producer who created a video on wildlife habitat and biological evaluation. He also has experience producing videos for Bureau of Land Management and was a venue producer for the 2002 Olympics.

While the Accipter assessment is detailed, an even more comprehensive restoration and enhancement plan will be developed through a collaborative process with interested stakeholders following application approval. Skyline has hired SWCA, a regional environmental consulting firm, to assist with this and related matters.

Today’s biological analysis becomes part of Skyline’s 400-page application for The Cliffs, which it filed with Ada County on Feb. 21. To earn approval, the proposal must include detailed plans for land use, housing patterns, geographic analysis of natural features, public services, utilities, open space and financing. In the coming months, the application will be refined to reflect guidance from county planners and public comment. This refinement will result in the creation of a final document that can be formally presented to the Ada County Planning and Zoning Commission.

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Media Contact:
media@thecliffsidaho.com
Jeannette Duwe, office: 208.321.1253, cell: 208.794.2620,
Martin Johncox, office: 208.658.9100, cell: 208.407.0700