2019-05-24_PERMIT FILE - M2019027

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B-5 Average annual precipitation is 14.67 inches. Average annual snowfall is 41 inches. May is the rainiest month, averaging 2.4 inches of precipitation. March receives the most snowfall on average,with 8 inches, followed by November with 7 inches. Pan evaporation data is available from a station located seven miles southwest of Wiggins (which is approximately 27 miles northeast of the Project location) for the period 1960 to 1971. The average annual pan evaporation is 54.12 inches, occurring primarily during the months o£ April (6.82 inches); May (8.50 inches); June (8.42 inches); July (9.97 inches); August (8.09 inches); September (5.87 inches); October (4.22 inches); and, November (2.23 inches). The mean annual evapotranspiration for Weld County is between 31 and 40 cm per year; or, 12.2 to 15.7 inches per year, yielding a ratio of evaporation to precipitation of as much as 1.09:1. Prevailing winds are generally from the west and southwest. (a) VEGETATION AND SOILS CHARACTERISTICS The Permit Area and surrounding area is comprised of gently rolling grazed grassland, with elevations ranging from approximately 4,902 ft. amsl at the extreme southwest corner of Section 12, gently sloping downward north-northeasterly to approximately 4,894 ft.amsl along the north edge of the Permit Area. On a larger scale, there is a relatively consistent slope gradient of 1%to 3% downward to the northeast across the central portion of Section 12,with localized drainage being generally to the northeast. The easternmost portion of Section 12, however, is largely defined by Ennis Draw, a locally-significant north-trending ephemeral drainage feature. A vegetation and soils field investigation was conducted over the extent of Section 12, with a sampling effort carried out at the approximate center of each 1/4-section therein. Observations, sampling points, and photographs are provided in the attached summary report (refer to Attachment B-1: Environmental Resource Report; Rettew Associates,Inc.; 2019). Vegetation During the field investigation,vegetation data was collected by Rettew at each of the sample points depicted on the aerial base map provided in Attachment B-1 (more specifically,Appendix A: Figure 2,thereof)and recorded on sample data forms(as provided in Appendix C,thereof).Vegetation across the site is primarily composed of various grasses, prickly pear, and sand sagebrush. Trees are completely absent within the Permit Area and immediately adjacent areas. The majority of the Project Area is comprised of grazed Keenesburg Project—Limited Impact 110 Application_May 24,2019