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Wetland Delineation Report for the Global Assets Mine Property, Weld County, Colorado <br /> No other raptor nests were observed during the site inspection; however, vocalizing red-tail <br /> hawks were heard in the cottonwoods at the east end of the Project Area. These vocalizations <br /> were likely between an adult and one or more fledglings, suggesting that there might be a <br /> nest in the vicinity. Although nesting is complete for the season, most raptors exhibit a <br /> tendency to return to nests for multiple years. Colorado Parks and Wildlife's (CPW) <br /> recommended setback for nesting red-tail hawks is 1/3 mile (CPW 2008). <br /> 4.6 Qualitative Review of West and East Portions of Project Area <br /> 2DOTperformed a qualitative review of the wetland habitats at the west end of the Project <br /> Area and of the riparian habitats at the east end of the Project Area. The west end was <br /> observed to support ponds, extensive stands of cattails, reed canarygrass meadows adjoining <br /> a meandering stream channel, and scattered cottonwoods, Russian olives <br /> (Elaeagnus angustifolia), and willows (Salix sp.). This area undoubtedly supports large areas <br /> of wetlands and, based on the dominance of the FACW reed canarygrass and cattails (OBL) <br /> throughout this area, wetland coverage greater than 50-percent is likely. <br /> This western area would not appear to support habitat for either the Utes ladies' tresses <br /> orchid or the Colorado butterfly plant; however, habitat suitable for the Preble's meadow <br /> jumping mouse is possible, although a better understanding of grazing and management <br /> practices may be necessary to better evaluate. Photographs representative of this area are <br /> provided in Appendix A. <br /> The cottonwood riparian forest at the east end of the Project Area was dominated by <br /> cottonwoods, providing nearly 75-percent cover in the area. Understory species were <br /> dominated by smooth brome (Bromus inermis; UPL), sunflower (Helianthus annuus; UPL), <br /> American licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota; FACU), burning bush (Bassia scoparia; FACU), prickly <br /> lettuce (Lactuca serriola; FAC), curly dock (Rumex crispus; FACW), saltgrass (Distichlis spicata; <br /> FACW), lambsquarters (Chenopodium album; FACU), and curlycup gumweed (Grindelia <br /> squarrosa; UPL), and coyote willow (Salix exigua; OBL). The overall dominance of upland <br /> species in the understory of this forest suggests few if any wetlands; however, small stands of <br /> coyote willow and saltgrass leave open the possibility of, at least, patches of wetland in low <br /> lying areas. Photographs representative of this area are provided in Appendix A. <br /> No habitat for either the Colorado butterfly plant or the Utes ladies'-tresses orchid is present <br /> within the riparian forest. Similarly, habitat for the Preble's meadow jumping mouse is <br /> limited; however, due to the location within the overall range for the mouse and proximity to <br /> the perennial surface water of the South Platte River, it must be considered as a possibility <br /> (formally"may affect, is not likely to adversely affect" as described for the ditch habitat within <br /> the Mining Area). <br /> 5.0 SUMMARY <br /> 2DOT identified two ditches within the Mining Area. Ditch 01, the Lupton Meadows Ditch, <br /> exhibited a strong OHWM and adjacent wetlands. Ditch 02 exhibited a narrow OHWM and <br /> 18 2DOT <br />