2022-04-04_PERMIT FILE - M2022013 (18)

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Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse Habitat Assessment& Conservation Plan Two Rivers Parcels—Varra Companies Weld County, Colorado Ute Ladies'-Tresses Orchid Species Background ULTO is federally listed as threatened. ULTO occurs at elevations below 7,800 feet in moist to wet alluvial meadows, in floodplains of perennial streams, and around springs and lakes where the soil is seasonally saturated within 18 inches of the surface (Service 1992a). This species has also been found along irrigation canals, irrigated meadows,gravel pits, and other human-modified wetlands (Service 2018). Generally,the species occurs where the vegetative cover is relatively open and not overly dense or overgrazed. Once thought to be fairly common in low-elevation riparian areas in the interior western United States, ULTO is now rare (Service 1992a). The species known range is from Nevada to British Columbia. The largest known populations occur in Utah,followed by Colorado (NatureServe 2018). In Colorado,the Service requires surveys of appropriate sites within the 100-year floodplain of the South Platte River, Fountain Creek, and the Yampa River and their perennial tributaries, or in any area with habitat in Boulder and Jefferson Counties (Service 1992b). Because ULTO has been found along other stream systems in Colorado since 1992,the Service has expanded the number of counties where surveys are required in suitable habitat (Service 2018). ULTO does not bloom until late July to early September (depending on the year), and timing of surveys must be synchronized with blooming (Service 1992b). Rationale for Excluding the Project Area as Potential ULTO Habitat ERO assessed the project area for potential ULTO habitat. The dense herbaceous vegetation along the Little Thompson the river is unsuitable for ULTO. Vegetation is more sparse along the South Platte River; however, none of these areas would be impacted by proposed project activities. Colorado Butterfly Plant Species Background The Colorado butterfly plant (CBP) is a short-lived perennial herb found in moist areas of floodplains. It occurs on subirrigated alluvial soils on level or slightly sloping floodplains and drainage bottoms at elevations of 5,000 to 6,400 feet. Colonies are often found in low depressions or along bends in wide, active, meandering stream channels that are periodically disturbed. Historically,the main cause of disturbance was probably flooding. CBP flowers from June to September and produces fruit from July to October(Spackman et al. 1997). This species is federally listed as threatened under the ESA and is found within a small area in southeastern Wyoming, western Nebraska, and north-central Colorado (NatureServe 2018). Rationale for Excluding the Project Area as Potential CBP Habitat The Service has not established formal survey guidelines for CBP but has indicated that areas similar to and slightly drier than ULTO habitat should be assessed. ERO determined that habitat for CBP does not occur in the project area for the same reasons as described for ULTO. 8 ERO Resources Corporation