2022-04-29_PERMIT FILE - C2010089 (9)

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Weed Management Act. This site contains three lists of noxious weeds, List A, List B and List C. Since this State list is more current than the Montrose County Noxious Weed list, all species listed on the Colorado Noxious Weed list as found on either List A, List B or List C, will be considered to be "noxious weeds" for purposes this vegetation survey. RARE AND ENDANGERED PLANT SPECIES The potential presence of Rare and Endangered Plants was determined based upon a careful review of the existing scientific literature on the subject, consultation with the DRMS and consultation with the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife (CPW). The most comprehensive treatment of this topic is found on the website of the Colorado Natural Heritage Program found at www.cnhp.colostate.edu which contains the Colorado Rare Plant Field Guide published in 1999 and an update called the Colorado Rare Plant Field Guide - 2002 Update. The potential presences of plants which are considered to be either Rare or Endangered Plants are discussed in further detail below. RESULTS VEGETATION SAMPLING A detailed vegetation map of the NHN Mine permit area is presented on Map 2.04.10-1. This map documents that for the 322.18 acres corresponding to the NHN permit area, there are 13 different vegetation types within the mine permit area. These corresponding vegetation types and acreages are as follows: Reclamation - 65.55 acres; Big Sagebrush - 65.46 acres; Irrigated Pasture - 59.68 acres; Dryland Pasture - 44.49 acres; Intensively Managed Irrigated Pasture - 37.33 acres; Wetlands - 25.14 acres; Roads - 8.21 acres; Disturbed Road Right of Way - 7.09 acres; Reclaimed Spoil - 4.42 acres; Residential / Agricultural Disturbance - 3.47 acres; Livestock Ponds - 1.03 acres; Irrigation Ditch - 0.46 acres and Drainage Channels - 0.07 acres. With respect to the area of the NHN permit area, it includes all lands within the west half of Section 25, Township 47 North, Range 16 West and is not restricted to the lands within the fenced road right of way. In other words, it includes areas that will not be disturbed by mining activities. According to the DRMS Vegetation Guideline, quantitative vegetation sampling is "generally" required only for "major vegetation" types, which are described as "those communities whose total aggregate area occupies more than 5% [ 16.09 acres] of the permit area or more than 10 acres, whichever is smaller. Application of these criteria means that there are only six major plant communities within the NHN permit area. These include, in order of descending area: Section 2.04.10 Page 10 of 36 June 2016 (TR -14)