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plains having a high percentage of cropland. Dryland farming is extensive, with areas of irrigated cropland scattered throughout the ecoregion. Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) is the main cash crop in this area (Chapman,et al.2006). Elevation at the site is approximately 5,026 feet above mean sea level. The surrounding area has flat topography and is comprised of gravel mining operations,agricultural land,and highways. The Project area is located within the Todd Creek-South Platte River watershed, Hydrological Unit Code 101900030405 (EPA 2014). Sandy Acres gravel pit pond was created during gravel mining activities with groundwater as its water source. Based on historic aerial photography,prior to the pond forming,the Project site was located in an upland setting with no wetlands or water features present. Based on recent aerial photography, it appears that wetlands surround portions of the pond. These likely formed sometime between 1993 and 2013. Based on information from the Colorado NDIS database, there are seven amphibian species, 297 bird species, 48 mammal species, and 22 reptile species that are known or likely to occur within Adams County, Colorado (CPW 2014a). Vegetation and Habitat All vegetation habitats result from previous human activities; there are no native plant communities present within the Project area. Vegetation communities within the Project area fall into one of three habitat types: open water,grassland,and wetland. Open water habitat includes the pond at approximately 31.6 acres. The water level of the pond was lower than that of the ordinary high water mark(OHWM). E470 Authority personnel stated that the pond level fluctuates seasonally and it is currently approximately 20 feet deep. The pond has no natural inlet or outlet;however,there are four culverts and two areas of erosion located on the southern half of the pond that drain stormwater from nearby highways and roads into the pond. At the time of observation, the water was clear(no turbidity), with algae and aquatic vegetation on the surface. The southern end of the pond appeared to have floating organic matter at the surface as well. It is unknown what the source of the organic matter is, as the culverts only drain stormwater. The grassland habitat vegetation comprises the majority of the project area(Appendix A,Photograph 3). This habitat is primarily herbaceous. Dominant vegetation observed included: Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), smooth brome (Bromus inermis), cheat grass (Bromus tectorum), crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum), field bindweed (Convulvulus arvensis), curly dock (Rumex crispus), and hairy goldenaster (Chrysopsis villosa). The wetland habitat primarily occurs along the perimeter of the gravel pit pond(Appendix A,Photograph 9). Wetlands surrounding the pond are narrow with widths ranging from 5 to 25 feet wide from the water's edge to the OHWM. Portions of the shoreline that lack wetlands have upland vegetation within the OHWM. This habitat is primarily herbaceous with few shrubs and trees. Dominant herbaceous vegetation includes: reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), broadleaf cattail (Typha latifolia), narrowleaf cattail (Typha angustifolia), water pepper (Persicaria hydropiper), bulrush (Schoenoplectus sp.), and rabbitsfoot grass (Polygonum monspeliensis). Waterthread pondweed (Potamogeton diversifolius) was provisionally identified and algae (southern end of pond)were observed on the pond's surface. Very few shrubs and trees were located within the Project area. Of the shrubs,narrowleaf willow(Salix exigua) is dominant. Of the trees,eastern cottonwood(Populus deltoides) is more common. A stand of trees is located near a picnic table and shade feature located centrally on the western shore of the pond. Other trees were 2