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Rifle .;raiel Pit #1 January 2021 .;�Amendmen,' f­ =ale No M-2020-008) <br /> is developing an augmentation plan that would offset both temporary and permanent <br /> depletions from authorized sources, and that would maintain the existing water conditions in <br /> the downstream habitats. <br /> Flowering Plants: Debeque phacelia is limited to and badland exposures of Wasatch <br /> formation; there is no such habitat within the project area or surrounding vicinity, and no <br /> potential for this project to affect the phacelia. The project area does contain low-elevation <br /> open wet meadows that constitute potential habitat for Ute ladies-tresses orchid. The <br /> nearest known populations of the orchid are located in the Roaring Fork Valley in the vicinity <br /> of the Iron Bridge neighborhood of Glenwood Springs, approximately 30 miles upstream <br /> from the project. Repeated surveys of suitable orchid habitat in the Colorado River valley <br /> have failed to locate any orchid populations outside the Roaring Fork, therefore it is unlikely <br /> that the species would occur on the project location. However according to the interim <br /> survey guidelines (USFWS, 1992) the portions of the property that consist of wet meadows <br /> that are not continuously inundated and not dominated by cattails/bulrush/reedgrass do <br /> constitute potential habitat. These areas of potential habitat are limited to portions of the pit <br /> proposed for Stages 4-6. There is no suitable habitat within the initial development area of <br /> Stages 1-3 and the dewatering pipeline. <br /> Orchid presence/absence surveys can only be conducted during the blooming season (late <br /> July through August). Given the existing database of negative survey findings in the <br /> surrounding area and the absence of habitat in the initial development areas, SGM <br /> proposes to evaluate habitat suitability within Stages 4-6 at a micro-site scale during the <br /> proposed quarterly wetland monitoring. Areas that are identified as highly suitable based on <br /> the USFWS interim guidelines would be further evaluated during the blooming season for <br /> the presence of orchids. No disturbance to suitable habitat would occur prior to such a <br /> habitat suitability analysis, in concert with a formal orchid survey if warranted. <br /> 4.5 Colorado Parks and Wildlife Consultation <br /> SCI will leave the construction perimeter berm in place along the east, north, and western <br /> portions of the property for the reclaimed condition. Note the height of the berm may change <br /> to achieve a balance for prohibiting fish passage on/off the property and safe wildlife access. <br /> See the attached revised drawings in Attachment A. <br /> SCI's Reclamation Plan (included in revised drawings, attached) shows a Typical Detail for <br /> the pond with a maximum 3:1 slope for the submerged portions of the pond (based upon the <br /> estimated groundwater levels). <br /> 9 <br />