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VEGETATION INFORMATION <br /> Evening Star Mentzelia sp. <br /> Russian Thistle Salsola kali <br /> Chicory Chicoryum intybus <br /> None of these species are especially common on the site other than Stipa comata which is <br /> often present on sandy soils in the Colorado Springs area and closely associated with the more <br /> common Stipa scribneri. It is an excellent invader, although not especially desirable in rangeland. <br /> After disturbance it is expected that both Stipa will be abundant as they invade the sandy topsoils. In <br /> a revegetation plan for this site, this native invader must be accounted for in the seeding programs and <br /> should not be hindered in its invasion. <br /> Other Disturbed Areas and Units <br /> On the east side of Academy is also a disturbed vegetation unit. It is found where mining is <br /> currently occurring. Except for a few weeds, this area is essentially devoid of vegetation. The weedy <br /> species include various thistles and, of course, Stipa comata and Stipa scribneri. These species are <br /> quite uncommon as the areas are under almost constant disturbance. However, in disturbed areas that <br /> remain undisturbed for a few years, these two species can become abundant. <br /> Little Johnson Reservoir Vegetation <br /> The vegetation of the Little Johnson area is a rather strange assemblage of species composed <br /> of both native and introduced perennial species with a very strong weed component over about half of <br /> the site. All of this variation is clearly a result of the site being a dry reservoir basin. At one time the <br /> site was full of water, although periodic draw down of the reservoir storage created a broad spectrum <br /> of soil microenvironments from the center of the reservoir to the edge. As noted in the Soils <br /> Information(Exhibit 1), the most altered soils are present in the lowest and central portions of the <br /> reservoir. The least altered soils are present around the perimeter of the basin. In between these two <br /> extremes are a wide variety of soils and associated vegetation units. <br /> Not a great deal needs to be said about the vegetation outside of the affected land boundary as <br /> this area will not be disturbed. But in these areas are found a wide variety of communities including <br /> forest, grasslands, and small areas of well developed wetland dominated by cattails (Typha latifolia <br /> and T. angustifolia) as well as sedges, bullrushes,Eleocharis (spike-rush), and wetland grasses, <br /> primarily Reed-Canary Grass. The forest is composed of a combination of native cottonwoods, the <br /> introduced Chinese Elm, and locally very dense growths of Russian Olive. The Russian Olive <br /> Daniels Sand Pit#2 Amendment (2008) Exhibit I Page 3 of 6 <br />