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"". ..~, " ./YOII Pipelines ~~/Nill:urdIGas P~olinllS ~",ji Counly H;;smes D County boundaries E:B Flrll! perllt1etefS 20112 o lI1unicilldllloundilrics 19'J7 US l4ndslhfe plJte"t~1 E]comho.hi Shlgh UiliIillJt.:lIs.high Dmod B~t1'!i:.mOd low Dna.dMa 70 o 70 140 Mil.. N W*E s The map depicts areas of suspected high and moderate landslide risk within the planning area, but no areas where an actual, documented risk is known. The Planning Team could not document there ever having been a landslide within the planning area. Wildland/Grassland Fires The NCDC database indicates that there have been zero events throughout the II-county planning area between 1951 and 2003. However, there are two reasons for including the fire hazard in this section. First, in 2002, seven counties within the Planning Area were included in the Presidential Disaster Declaration for wildfires (FEMA DR-1421). To date, only one of the seven counties (Weld) has been able to document fire related expenses eligible for reimbursement ($5,896 in Individual Assistance). The second reason for including wildland and grassland fires in this analysis is because fires do occur frequently throughout the planning area, even though they cause little damage and do not qualify for disaster assistance. The fires are predominantly ignited by either lightening, sparks from braking trains, or cigarettes discarded from automobiles traversing the county roadways. Fires have grown to 16,000 acres, but losses have been minimal. Crops have been affected, though more often than not, it is the post-harvest "stubble" that catches fire once it has dried out. There are occasional reports of losses to agriculture outbuildings, farm equipment, and storage tanks as a result of these fires. The risk of future fires exists but is difficult to quantify. Noxious Weeds (Tumbleweeds) Among the more interesting natural hazards that affect northeastern Colorado, is that of "noxious weeds." Noxious weeds have been described as the "equivalent of biological pavement - They displace native vegetation and cause a loss of wildlife habitat." (Country Life, April 2003) Noxious weeds disguise themselves to humans with their attractive flowers, but they are non- native to Colorado. They were introduced as ornamental vegetation, or by accident. A recent newspaper article described a study underway documenting how noxious weeds are transported along roadways, by wind and vehicle tires. There are no natural predators for noxious weeds. The categories of noxious weeds include such vegetation as Tamarisk (Salt Cedar), introduced into Colorado during the 1930's WPA projects. Tamarisk can aggravate drought conditions by 21