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ATTACHMENT A. ECOLOGICAL/WILDLIFE STATEMENT—SCHOEN FARM SAND AND
<br /> GRAVEL YARD
<br /> The Schoen Farm Sand and Gravel Yard is on the contact line of two ecoregions, 22A and 22B. It is also referred to as a
<br /> Mountain Outwash ecological site (11051 XY281 CO), on the extreme west end of the San Luis Valley and the Upper Rio
<br /> Grande Valley, at the base of the foothills of the San Juan Mountains, at an elevation just above 8000 ASL.
<br /> Ecoregion 22A The San Luis Shrublands and Hills ecoregion includes the higher relief foothill edges and low mountain
<br /> areas within the basin. It includes the San Luis Hills in the southwest,a rugged mass of hills and tilted mesas. The hills are
<br /> composed of andesitic volcanic rock and are 500 to 1000 feet higher than the adjacent ecoregions of 22. Vegetation
<br /> communities represent a transition from the grassland and desert communities of the lower basin to the woodland species
<br /> found in the surrounding foothills of the Southern Rockies(21).Big sagebrush,rabbitbrush,and winterfat occur,as well as
<br /> grasslands of western wheatgrass,green needlegrass,blue grama,and needle-and-thread.Areas of pinyon juniper are found
<br /> on the tops of the San Luis Hills.
<br /> Ecoregion 22B Although precipitation in the San Luis Alluvial Flats and Wetlands ecoregion is low,less than 8 to 10 inches,
<br /> water availability from mountain runoff, a high water table, and associated springs and wetlands have made cropland
<br /> irrigation possible. The ecoregion was once dominated by shadscale, saltbush and greasewood, but most of the native
<br /> vegetation has been removed for agriculture.Irrigated cropland is common,with barley malt,potatoes,alfalfa,small grains,
<br /> and hay, and smaller areas of vegetables such as spinach, head lettuce, and carrots. Generally, the soils of this region tend
<br /> to be less alkaline than the soils of 22c. The increasing demand for water throughout this region is an ongoing issue,
<br /> exacerbated by recent droughts. Increased salt accumulation in soils and groundwater depletion are problems associated
<br /> with irrigation and the competing uses of available water.
<br /> Relatively few animal species occupy the site of the proposed Sand and Gravel Yard, due to past use as cropland and the
<br /> attraction of far superior habitat along the Rio Grande itself a quarter-mile to the south(a montane riparian shrubland), and
<br /> the micro-ecological site existing along the Anaconda Ditch to the north and northwest. A triangular wetland a quarter mile
<br /> to the west, created by the embankment of Pink Cloud Road, is another draw to wildlife. The proposed site does not lie
<br /> directly in a potential wildlife route between these locations, and is small enough to easily be detoured around. The small
<br /> size, location near more developed areas(to the west)and past history reduce its impact.
<br /> In the vicinity, hay meadows border natural riparian vegetation north and south of the river. Non-native species such as
<br /> smooth brome (Bromus inermis), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), clover (Trifolium spp.), dandelion (Taraxacum
<br /> officinale), and yellow sweetclover(Melilotus officinalis)are abundant.
<br /> The major documentation is the Biological Inventory of Rio Grande and Conejos Countys (CNHP 2000), The inventory
<br /> did not include this site, but one nearby, the Rio Grande at Embargo Creek was included and designated as a potential
<br /> conservation area. Most of the known threatened and endangered species (both federal and state-listed) in Rio Grande
<br /> County and the San Luis Valley do not have suitable habitat on or immediately near the Site. There are, of course,no fish
<br /> or aquatic species, no T&E insects or amphibians. Potential birds include the Ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis) and the
<br /> Gunnison sage grouse(Centrocercus minimus,but are rare in the Valley.Two species,the western snowy plover(Charadrius
<br /> alexandrines nivosus) and Mountain plover (Charadrius montanus) may be attracted to the Schoen Farm because of
<br /> irrigation and cultivation but are very rare.Other species,including the Bald Eagle and various hawks,may include the area
<br /> in their hunting range. The Site is suitable for the Northern pocket gopher(Thomomys talpoides agrestis)which is of state
<br /> concern, and is found in a wide variety of habitat. Although there are(and have been)small colonies of prairie dogs,their
<br /> density and distribution are insufficient to support Black-footed ferrets(Mustela nigripes). Canada lynx(Lynx canadensis),
<br /> along with some ungulates(including elk,black-tailed deer,mule deer,pronghorn,bighorn sheep,and mountain goats,and
<br /> potentially animals from the small Valley moose herd) may travel through the Schoen Farm and hunt or graze there.
<br /> However it is not critical or significant habitat.Smaller mammals include desert cottontail(rabbits),black-tailed jackrabbits,
<br /> and voles.
<br /> Prepared by Nathan A. Barton and Deborah A Barton 20 April 2020
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