2019-05-24_PERMIT FILE - M2019027

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B-16 gradient, on the main stem of Ennis Draw. Property ownership of this feature is indicated to be Helena& Vince Gerkin; it is presumed that the feature is, or has been, similarly utilized for stock watering purposes. Field observations(Rettew Associates,Inc.)of the Ennis Draw feature carried out in December 2018 noted that the feature,while depicted as continuous on topographic mapping,did not exhibit evidence of a stream channel or a defined bed and bank. Within Section 12, much of the drainage bottom was observed to be vegetated and subject only to seasonal water presence (thus confirming the indicated ephemeral characteristics per USGS map depiction). No flowing water was observed during the field investigation. Several National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) mapped wetlands (as derived from aerial photography) are located within and/or adjacent to Ennis Draw. Field crews investigated some of these mapped features to confirm the presence of wetlands,with presence/absence determinations based on those protocols described in the 2012 Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual, Great Plains Region - Version 2.0. The approach recognizes the three parameters of hydrology,vegetation, and soils to identify wetlands. Hydric soils were observed in several soil test pits evaluated throughout the drainage. A Wetland Determination Data Form was completed to confirm the presence of wetlands and document conditions at Sample Point W-1 (with location coordinates of 40.15713 North Latitude; -104.49048 West Longitude,within the SE 1/4 of Section 12),which confirmed the presence of hydrophytic vegetation,hydric soil, and wetland hydrology at the location; however, no wetland delineations were carried out in conjunction with the field effort. Although sufficiently distant from the Permit Area to be a non-concern with respect to the Keenesburg Project (development and/or operation), based on the field observations and noted presence of wetlands within Ennis Draw,Rettew contacted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers(USACE)to discuss the drainage characteristics, determine specific Approved Jurisdictional Determination(AJD)requirements and inquire on current determination timelines. The Corps agreed that a full wetland delineation of the drainage was not necessary in this case, as the Permit Area is sufficiently distant from the feature to ensure no adverse impact(s)will occur. In summary, the only surface water features proximal to the Permit Area are associated with Ennis Draw which are,at minimum,'/4-mile distant from the Permit Area. Due to the relative distance(i.e.,greater than 3/4-mile) between the Permit Area (operational activities area) and the Ennis Draw feature, the absence of any defined drainage course extending from the Permit Area to Ennis Draw,and the low run-off coefficient Keenesburg Project—Limited Impact 110 Application_May 24,2019