2021-04-05_PERMIT FILE - M2021030 (2)

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Jurisdictional Wetlands Regulated jurisdictional wetlands encountered in Colorado include submergent, emergent, wet meadows, sloughs, surface water drainage ditches, bogs, and potholes. No areas concluded to be jurisdictional wetlands were identified within the proposed project area. The southwest boundary of the project site (located within the fallow area on the aerial) contained hydrophytic vegetation species (including Scirpus americanus, Rumex crispus, and Phalaris arundinacea) within small inclusions. The inclusions did not contain evidence of hydric soils or a prevailing hydrology indicative of significant saturation or inundation during the growing season. Further investigation revealed that the southwest boundary has the lowest elevation of the project site and is downgradient from an irrigation tailwater pond and row irrigation within the farm immediately to the south. The location of the small inclusions is also isolated from any adjacent waters of the United States,further rendering the areas non-jurisdictional. Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse Habitat The Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) is a federally listed threatened species which generally occurs near wetlands and water bodies. The property was evaluated for potential Preble's habitat, based on the current U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guidelines. No potential habitat for the Preble's meadow jumping mouse exists within the proposed project area. The proposed project site does not contain requisite habitat(riparian corridors with significant overstory and shrub understory, or wet meadows). Ute Ladies-tresses Orchid Habitat The Ute ladies-tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis) is a federally listed threatened plant species characteristically found in wet meadows and alluvial flood plains below 6500 feet in northern Colorado, southwestern Wyoming, and the Uintah Basin of Utah. Habitat assessments and/or pedestrian surveys during the blooming period are required for sites within the South Platte River 100-year floodplain and in characteristic habitat which includes areas with a seasonally high water table, wet meadows, stream channels, floodplains, areas with vegetation in the facultative wet or obligate classification, and jurisdictional wetlands. Based on the preliminary investigation, there is no potential orchid habitat within the proposed project area, as the characteristic orchid habitat elements are not present. Bald Eagle Habitat A review of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) website (https://cogccmap.state.co.us/cogcc_gis_online/) for identified bald eagle nests and roosts did not identify any nests or roosts within three miles of the project site. The nearest bald eagle nests and roosts are located along the South Platte River corridor to the northwest. During our on-stie investigation no evidence of bald eagle roosts,nests,or bald eagles were