Laserfiche WebLink
EXHIBIT B. SITE DESCRIPTION OF SCHOEN FARM (6.3.2.) <br /> The Schoen Farm Sand and Gravel Yard (the Yard) is located on the northern floor of the Rio Grande valley, <br /> in an irrigated pasture, on a nearly flat southern slope approximately% mile north of the nearest delineated <br /> floodplain. <br /> The site is presently used as irrigated and semi-irrigated pasture and cropland.The site is not unique or high- <br /> quality farmland and is not identified as critical habitat for any species of wildlife.There is no record or <br /> evidence of past occupation (prehistoric or historic)of this site. Wetlands on-site are a result of irrigation, <br /> with various laterals providing flood irrigation. Quality and utility of the land is significantly limited by the <br /> large amount of surface rock(primarily cobbles)found on both the Yard itself and the entire 211-acre <br /> Schoen Farm. <br /> None of the irrigation laterals are considered significant by the owner, as they will be filled in and leveled <br /> once the rock is removed from the farm,when a center-pivot irrigation system is installed.There are no <br /> significant, permanent, manmade structures within 200 feet of the Yard. <br /> SOILS: See Exhibit B-1 Site soils are the Norte Gravelly Sand Loam (No) and the Norte-Duna) Complex(Nr). <br /> VEGETATION: <br /> Existing vegetation includes typical San Luis Valley vegetation for semi-improved pasture, including <br /> Thickspike Wheatgrass (a crop),Alfalfa (a crop), Louisiana Sage (invasive species), and Fourwing Salt Bush <br /> (naturally occurring and tolerated). <br /> DRAINAGE, FLOODING, WETLANDS: <br /> 1. The Site generally drains to the south, although with numerous irrigation laterals changing flow <br /> direction, much of this is intercepted. <br /> 2. Drainage, including irrigation, downs lope/downstream will not be impacted significantly by the <br /> proposed activities. <br /> 3. This Site is not located within a delineated floodplain or floodway. There are no ponds,streams, or <br /> drainage ways inside the Site or immediately adjacent. <br /> 4. Wetland survey and delineation has determined that wetland areas shown on some maps are the <br /> result of sustainment by irrigation flows and are not natural or jurisdictional wetlands. <br /> OTHER FEATURES: <br /> 1. The Anaconda (irrigation) Ditch near CR-15 which will be crossed by the access road.This ditch has a <br /> 24-inch, 30-foot-long culvert installed for an existing farm field access off CR-15, as approved by the <br /> County Conditional Use Permit (CUP 2020-20)which will be used for the access road and remain a <br /> permanent feature after the mining is completed. <br /> 2. There is an underground powerline approximately 48 inches below grade that runs through the Yard <br /> (see maps, Exhibit E). The SLV REC is aware and acknowledges the Yard as shown in attached <br /> documents. <br /> 3. There are some minor irrigation laterals which may be on and near the Site.These are not significant <br /> manmade structures and are obsolete once the project is completed and the landowner can install <br /> center-pivot irrigation systems. <br /> 4. The location of the Yard is presently higher than the surrounding land. <br /> M2020-062 Schoen Farm 110c Application by O'Rourke Excavating, Inc. Exhibits Page 3 of 21 <br />