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Pmygn
<br /> Numerous sites within a 10-mile radius of the study area were included in trapping surveys in the late 1990s
<br /> through the mid-2000s and no positive captures occurred (CPW, 2016). Two of these sites are located within
<br /> a mile north and southeast of the study area (CPW, 2016). The nearest positive captures occurred north of
<br /> the study area near the towns of Johnston and Milliken, over IS miles away (CPW, 2016).
<br /> PMJM prefer heavily vegetated, shrub dominated riparian habitats with upland habitats immediately adjacent
<br /> (CNHP, 1997+). The understory of the riparian habitat in the study area was primarily dominated by smooth
<br /> brome and leafy spurge, interspersed with some shrubs such as snowberry and coyote willow. The riparian
<br /> habitat in the study area is marginal for PMJM and no known occurrences are recorded near the study area.
<br /> With the assumption of avoidance of mapped wetland and riparian areas, the proposed project would have no
<br /> effect on the PMJM.
<br /> Colorado Butterfly Plant
<br /> The CBP was once known from Weld County, but this population is considered historical and possibly
<br /> extirpated (CNHP, 1997+).
<br /> The habitat of the CBP includes periodically disturbed channels, sub-irrigated alluvial soils, and open meadows
<br /> and riparian areas on floodplains (CNHP, 1997+). Plants are often found in low depressions or along bends in
<br /> wide,flowing meandering stream channels a short distance upslope of the actual channel (CNHP, 1997+). The
<br /> wetland and riparian vegetation and soils observed along the South Platte River within the study area provides
<br /> suitable habitat for CBP. Although suitable habitat for CBP is present in the study area, with the assumption of
<br /> avoidance of mapped wetland and riparian areas, the proposed project would have no effect on the CBP.
<br /> Ute Ladies'-Tresses Orchid
<br /> The ULTO was once recorded in Weld County, but this population is a poorly documented historical
<br /> occurrence (CNHP, 1997+).
<br /> ULTO habitat includes seepage areas in cottonwoods, sub-irrigated alluvial soils along streams, and open
<br /> meadows on floodplains, including riparian areas (CNHP, 1997+). The wetland and riparian habitat and soils
<br /> observed along the South Platte River within the study area provides suitable habitat for ULTO. Although
<br /> suitable habitat for ULTO is present in the study area, with the assumption of avoidance of mapped wetland
<br /> and riparian areas, the proposed project would have no effect on the ULTO.
<br /> State Listed Species
<br /> CPW lists 74 species of amphibians, birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, and mollusks as endangered, threatened or
<br /> of special concern within the state of Colorado (CPW, 2014). The majority of these species are not expected
<br /> to occur in the study area because the study area is outside of their range or appropriate habitat is not present.
<br /> According to the CNHP Tracking List, aside from the federally listed species already discussed above, one
<br /> state-listed species was identified with the potential to occur in the study area, the Northern leopard frog
<br /> (Lithobates pipiens) (CNHP, 2017).
<br /> Northern leopard frogs live in the vicinity of springs, slow streams, marshes, bogs, ponds, canals, flood plains,
<br /> reservoirs, and lakes and are usually in or near permanent water with rooted aquatic vegetation (CPW, 2017).
<br /> In summer, they commonly inhabit wet meadows and fields. The wetland and riparian habitat observed along
<br /> the South Platte River within the study area provides suitable habitat for the Northern leopard frog. With the
<br /> assumption of avoidance of wetland and riparian areas, the project is not likely to have impacts on this state
<br /> listed species. No further coordination or mitigation is needed for this species.
<br /> Informal Wetland Delineation and Biological Resources Report
<br /> Weld County Gravel Pit Project
<br /> November 16, 2017 4
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