2019-05-14_PERMIT FILE - M2019025 (16)

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4.8 Ditch Wetland 4.8.1 Location The Ditch Wetland is located along an irrigation return flow ditch that conveys water from the Hill & Brush Ditch south through the project site to the Big Thompson River. This linear wetland measures approximately 4,148 square feet (0.10 acre) (Photo 3). 4.8.2 Classification Under the Cowardin Classification System for Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats (Cowardin et al., 1979), the Ditch Wetland is in the Palustrine System, Emergent Persistent Class. 4.8.3 Vegetation The Ditch Wetland is lined by areas of reed canarygrass, with a small amount of threesquare bulrush and the forbs blister buttercup (Ranunculus sceleratus) and threelobe beggarstick (Bidens tripartita). Meadow fescue and intermediate wheatgrass occur along the margins. The aquatic forb American speedwell (Veronica americana) grows in the shallow water of the ditch. 4.8.4 Hydrology Water flowing from the Hill and Brush Ditch to the Big Thompson River creates saturated soil conditions for wetland development along the ditch banks. At the time of the delineation, the Hill and Brush Ditch had pooled water from recent heavy rains that was spilling over into the Ditch Wetland and flowing south to the Big Thompson River. 4.8.5 Soils Pit 3 was dug on the bank adjacent to the Ditch Wetland, in an area dominated by intermediate wheatgrass and quackgrass with a lower cover of reed canarygrass (Photo 16). The soil was not hydric and there were no indicators of a wetland hydrology in this area adjacent to the ditch. 5.0 ANALYSIS OF JURISDICTIONAL STATUS All of the wetlands described in this report have a potential hydrologic connection to the Big Thompson River, a Water of the U.S. These wetlands are potentially jurisdictional and could be impacted by the proposed mining operation. Therefore Coulson Excavating Company requests an Approved Jurisdictional Determination. 6