2019-08-01_REVISION - M2018051 ‎(4)‎

• Permit No: M2018051
• IBM Index Class Name: Revision
• Doc Date: 8/1/2019
• Doc Name: Addendum To Application
• From: Black Mountain Sand
• To: DRMS
• Type & Sequence: AM1
• Email Name: PSH
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Biological Survey Report
Black Mountain Sand Weld LLC—Lost Creek Mine
1.0 INTRODUCTION
TRC Environmental Corporation (TRC) was contracted by Black Mountain Sand Weld LLC to perform a
biological survey for the proposed Lost Creek Mine Project (Project). The proposed Project is located on
private land with access to Interstate 76 to the north, and Highway 34 to the south, approximately 5.1
miles west of the Town of Wiggins in Weld County, Colorado (Figure 1,Appendix A).
A biological survey,which consisted of a wetland and waterbody delineation and federal and state-listed
threatened and endangered species habitat assessment,was conducted within the entirety of the 2,216-
acre survey area. The biological survey was conducted on November 14, 2018 and July 3, 2019 by two
qualified ecologists/botanists (Ms. Allie Cornell and Ms. Erin Bergquist). This report summarizes survey
methodologies specific to each biological resource,survey results, and recommendations associated with
agency coordination and potential permit acquisition.
2.0 SURVEY METHODOLOGIES
2.1 WETLANDS
The wetland delineation and determination was based on the criteria and methods described in the
Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Great Plains Region
Version 2.0 (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [USACE] 2010), United States Corps of Engineers Wetlands
Delineation Manual Technical Report Y-87-1 (USACE 1987), and subsequent guidance documents (USACE
1991a,b; 1992). The use of available resources including the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National
Hydrography Dataset (NHD) (USGS 2018); USGS topographic maps (USGS 2016a, b); U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) soil surveys (USDA NRCS 2018a); U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Wetland Inventory(NWI) mapping(USFWS 2018a); and aerial
photography were used to assist in the wetland delineation and determination.
On-site wetland determinations were made using the three-criteria (vegetation, soil, and hydrology) and
technical approach defined in the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation
Manual: Great Plains Region Version 2.0(USACE 2010).According to procedures described therein,areas
that under normal circumstances reflect a predominance of hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and
wetland hydrology(e.g., inundated or saturated soils) are considered wetlands.The geospatial boundary
of each wetland was captured utilizing a Trimble GeoXH global positioning system (GPS) unit. All wetland
features were assigned a unique feature identification (ID) number with a "W" prefix. A Wetland
Determination Data Form was completed for each wetland and its associated upland. Representative
photos were taken of all identified features including the wetland and upland soil pit profiles.
2.2 WATERBODIES
Waterbodies were identified by the presence of bed and bank or other ordinary high water mark(OHWM)
indicators.Common identifiable indicators of an OHWM include open water or evidence of a clear,natural
line visible on the bank; shelving; changes in soil characteristics; disturbance to, or lack of, terrestrial
vegetation; presence of litter and debris; and watermarks indicative of inundation during high water
conditions. The OHWM typically represents the potential limits of USACE jurisdiction. The geospatial
boundary of each waterbody was captured utilizing a Trimble GeoXH GPS unit. All waterbody features
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