It is important to conduct a comprehensive inventory of the natural environment before responsible planning decisions regarding future development are made. By respecting natural systems and being responsive to their opportunities and constraints, it is possible for Monument to plan growth which minimizes adverse impacts and protects the environmental resources of the community.

The following inventory section identifies specific natural systems and the opportunities and constraints they present to future development patterns. In short, this section becomes a reference which can be used to augment the mapped environmental information (refer to Environmental Constraints Composite, Map 1).

Topographic features, which are formed by the action of physical processes, define natural drainage patterns and the character of the landscape. These drainage patterns and the slope of land-forms are of particular interest when developing planning policies because each offers a unique development opportunity. The following table outlines area-wide development opportunities and constraints relating specifically to land form analysis.

Table 5: Slope Categories - Monument

1.    Slight Constraints for Development (0-8% Slope)

2.    Moderate Constraints for Development (9-15% Slope)

3.    Moderate to Severe Constraints for Development (16—30% Slope)

4.    Severe Constraints for Development (30%+ Slope)

Source: El Paso County Land Use Department, 1983.

Unfortunately, development and flooding problems are many times closely linked. Flooding, a natural occurrence, results when the capability of a drainageway to accommodate water flow is exceeded. When this happens the water course overflows its banks and inundates an area called a flood plain. Development can exacerbate this situation by covering the ground with impermeable surfaces such as concrete and asphalt. This diminishes the capability of water to filter into the ground and as a result, increased water runoff is directed into streams, consequently enlarging the flood plain.

Monument participates in the National Flood Insurance Program which requires flood-prone areas to be identified and mapped. Further, to be eligible for certain Federal assistance development in specific flood zones must be regulated. Compliance with such mandates is periodically checked by the Federal Government. The following outlines information augmenting Map 1.

Flood Information

Flood hazard studies are undertaken by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to determine flood insurance rates. These studies are a prerequisite for community eligibility involving guaranteed loan programs such as Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sponsored loans.

Upon request, FEMA will undertake an Emergency Study and map "zone A" or the approximate 100-year flood plain boundaries. This map is derived from aerial photo interpretation. Based on the Emergency Study, an insurance coverage rate is applied to those structures falling within the delineated A zone.

Once the Emergency Study is complete a community becomes eligible for regular program coverage. This involves more detailed studies. Included are: 1) stream gauging data with peak discharge rates and 2) stream cross sections. From this information additional and more detailed flood hazard areas are delineated.

Monument is presently under the Emergency Phase of the Flood Insurance Program. A Flood Hazard Boundary Map delineating areas subject to periodic flooding was prepared for the Town in May 1974. As a requirement of the program, the Town must adopt Flood Insurance Program Regulations, Section 1910.3 (a) and (b). In order to assure continued federal flood insurance for affected properties, it is recommended that the above-cited regulations be adopted by ordinance.

Table 6 is not a complete listing of vegetative types, but it does provide a general indication of plant types within different portions of the Town. The classifications in the table also show tolerance to disturbance by development.

Table 6: Vegetation Classifications - Monument

Source: Colorado State Forest Service, Colorado State University, 1976

Upon analysis, the planning area contains minimal fuel types that warrant a potential for a wildfire hazard. Accordingly, such tabular information is not included in this Plan.

Soil suitability refers to the relative ability of a particular soil to accommodate various kinds of land use activity such as agriculture or construction. To determine the suitability of various soil types, the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) has developed a classification system for inherent soil limitations. The levels of limitation are as follows:

Although the type of information contained in Table 7 may be useful for determining the potential of a soil in planning land use, the Town should require a more detailed soil engineering study prior to permitting development.

Table 7: Soil Types - Monument

Source: Soil Survey of El Paso County Area, Colorado, Soil Conservation Service (SCS). June 1981