FLOOD09102

• County: Logan
• Community: Sterling
• Basin: South Patte
• Title: Sterling Flood Control Interceptor Channel Project
• Date: 4/1/2002
• Prepared For: Sterling
• Prepared By: URS
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Project

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SlmOITHREE AUected Environments and Environmental Consequences

Information was received from the Colorado Division of Wildlife regarding state-listed
threatened, endangered, and special concern species in Colorado (Appendix C). Based on the
information received, four fish species, one amphibian species, five bird species, and one
mammal species have the potential to occur in Logan County. Based on the habitat utilized by
each of these II species, it was determined that neither action alternative would adversely affect
any of the species. In their letter dated March 22,1999, the Colorado Division of Wildlife stated
it is highly unlikely that any threatened or endangered species would be significantly impacted
by the action alternatives (Appendix C). The Colorado Division of Wildlife was contacted again
on January 22,2002 and indicated that their initial determination was still valid (Briggs 2002).

3.10.3 Vegetation

Vegetation within the project area includes cropland, upland/riparian areas, planted vegetation
and planted/native vegetation within transportation corridors. Cropland within the project area is
used to produce sugar beets, alfalfa, and small grains such as wheat, corn, and soybeans.
Upland/riparian area include a variety of vegetation including warm and cool season grasses,
forbs, native shrubs including chokecherry and wild plum, and riparian species including
willows, cottonwoods, reeds, and sedges. Planted vegetation in urban areas included non-native
grasses including bluegrass and brome, and ornamental shrubs and trees. Vegetation within
transportation corridors included native warm and cool season grasses, forbs, and annual weed
species including cheat grass, sunflowers, and ragweed, and an occasional native tree.

3.10.3.1 Alternative 1 - No Action

The No Action Alternative would not affect vegetation in the project area.

3.10.3.2 Alternative 2 - Sterling Flood Control Interceptor Channel (Proposed
Action)

With Alternative 2, approximately 60 acres of vegetation would be temporarily disturbed,
including approximately 55 acres of cropland, I acre of upland/riparian vegetation and 4 acres
within road and/or railroad ROWs. Following construction, the disturbed cropland and road
and/or railroad ROWs would be reseeded with native grass species. Temporary impacts to 60
acres do not represent a significant impact on vegetation.

3.10.3.3 Alternative 3 -Improve Routing of Pawnee Creek Flood Flows

With Alternative 3, approximately 45 acres of vegetation would be temporarily disturbed,
including approximately 33 acres of cropland, 8 acres of upland/riparian vegetation, I acre of
urban development, and 3 acres within road and/or railroad ROWs. Following construction,
approximately 28 acres of cropland would be returned to crop production and 5 acres would be
occupied by dikes and levees revegetated with native grass species. Disturbed areas within the
developed urban areas, road and railroad ROWs, and upland/riparian vegetation would also be
reseeded with native grass species. Temporary impacts to 45 acres do not represent a significant
impact on vegetation.

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