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Rifle Gravel Pit#1 April 2022 <br /> 4.4 Vegetation <br /> Vegetation in the Affected Lands is a mix of upland pasture and partially irrigated pasture. <br /> The partially irrigated pasture areas are subject to an inconsistent and uneven application of <br /> irrigation water via flood irrigation and subsurface seepage, primarily from uncontrolled <br /> discharges and return flows from adjacent irrigation operations. Intentional irrigation water <br /> application on the site has not occurred for the last two growing seasons, or since the <br /> property was acquired by Scott. The extent of the Affected Lands has been carefully <br /> restricted to areas of mesic soil conditions, and avoids nearby areas of hydric soils that <br /> support emergent wet meadows. A small portion of the Affected Lands contains sparse <br /> riparian woodland, consisting entirely of non-native Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) <br /> with a sparse shrub understory. There are no native trees (cottonwoods, Populus deltoides) <br /> within the Affected Lands. The observed vegetation within the Affected Lands closely <br /> matches the data provided by the National Land Cover Database as shown on Figure 5, <br /> Exhibit C3. <br /> Figure 5, Exhibit C3 depicts information required by: <br /> 6.4.3(e)—the type of present vegetation covering the affected lands[112(4)(i)] and, <br /> 6.4.3(f) - per 6.4.7(2) (b) (see also Figure 16, Exhibit G -Water Information) [112(4)(i)]: <br /> (b) all known aquifers <br /> Figure 6 through Figure 8 show typical vegetation photos from the property. <br /> Upland pasture and riparian woodland plant species that occur within the Affected Lands <br /> have been inventoried during multiple site visits that have informed the development <br /> process. Dominant/representative species are listed in the following subsections. <br /> 4.4.1 Upland Pastures <br /> Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) <br /> Chicory (Cichorium intybus) <br /> Timothy grass (Phleum pratense) <br /> Showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) <br /> Tall wheatgrass (Thinopyrum ponticum) <br /> Intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) <br /> Alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides) <br /> Inland saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) <br /> Hybrid western wheatgrass (a Pascopyrum smithii agricultural cultivar hybrid) <br /> Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens) <br /> Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) <br /> 4.4.2 Riparian Wood land/Shrubland <br /> Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) <br /> Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) <br /> 13 <br />