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Rifle Gravel Pit #1 March 2021 <br /> 11.0 Exhibit J -- Vegetation Information <br /> The vegetation types are displayed on Figure 5 Exhibit C Vegetation Map. <br /> 11.1 Existing Vegetation Communities <br /> The existing vegetation found on the Rifle Gravel Pit property consists of three major <br /> communities: upland pastures, herbaceous emergent wetlands, and riparian woodland. <br /> Dominant species that typify each community are listed in Section 4.3, Section 4.4, and <br /> Section 4.5 for additional information. The entire property supports generally continuous <br /> ground coverage of>80%throughout, and standing biomass and productivity are relatively <br /> high for the surrounding region. <br /> Noxious weeds observed at the property include cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), tamarisk <br /> (Tamarix chinensis), Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia), chicory (Cichorium intybus), <br /> halogeton (Halogeton glomeratus), Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens), and bulbous <br /> bluegrass (Poa bulboua). The weed species constitute a significant portion of the vegetation <br /> in upland pasture areas within the property, but generally were not observed to form <br /> monotypic stands or to present an unusual risk of infestation. The weed component and <br /> prevalence on the property is typical of grazed pasturelands in the surrounding area. <br /> A comprehensive noxious weed survey has not been completed for the property, and it is <br /> likely that other common weeds in the surrounding area would be found in a dedicated <br /> search, including hoary cress (Cardaria drabs), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), <br /> common mullein (Verbascum thapsus) and several thistle species. A copy of the Noxious <br /> Weed Report is included in Attachment C. <br /> 11.2 Post Vegetation Land Use <br /> After reclamation, land use would revert the non-pond areas irrigated pastureland. See <br /> Attachment A, Sheets C7 and C8 for additional information regarding the seeding mixes and <br /> Reclamation Plan. <br /> The existing woody riparian vegetation would be largely eliminated from the parcel. Shrubby <br /> ruderal species such as rabbitbrush and greasewood would re-establish quickly, but slow- <br /> growing species such as cottonwood and sagebrush would not regain their current level of <br /> occurrence without extensive restoration planting and maintenance. <br /> 45 <br />