2022-12-16_PERMIT FILE - M2021067

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EXHIBITJ—VEGETATION INFORMATION The vegetation on the Stiles Mining Resource land consists of dryland pasture grass and weeds. Historically the Stiles Mining Resource area and the adjoining property were used for irrigated agricultural production.The previous landowners converted the irrigated farm to a dryland livestock operation that used livestock to graze the ruderal herbaceous vegetation (weeds).The Stiles Mining Resource property has not been grazed for several months and mowing has been initiated at the site. Near the mining area other property is comprised of irrigated farmland, residential home sites, agricultural land that was converted to a water recharge facility and pockets of cottonwood riparian area that is adjacent to the South Platte River.The adjoining properties includes the South Platte River riparian corridor and river, oil and gas production, county road, water recharge facility and agricultural land. Limited tree and shrub cover are present in this community. The pastures are comprised of smooth brome (Bromus inermis) and some western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), and various ruderal forb species such as Perennial Pepperweed(Lepidium latifolium), Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)and Showey Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa). Vegetative cover across these areas comprises 0-10% cover. The dominant weed on the property is Canada thistle(Cirsium arvense (L.)Scop)at this point. Other weeds in this vegetation community include cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), kochia (Bassia scoparia), and Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium L.).Vegetative cover across these areas comprises 70-80%cover. The Stiles Mining Resource land is part of a highly modified flood plain that is disconnected from the South Platte River.The Stiles Mining Resource areas northwest corner is located±950 ft from the South Platte River high bank and the northeast property corner falls just off the South Platte River high bank.About two thirds of the Stiles Mining Resource property is in the floodway with the balance in the floodplain.Substantial lengths of the South Platte River have been channelized to prevent further erosion.Since the existing Stiles Mining Resource floodplain/way is cut off from the river, most of the riparian area is located on the adjoining properties and is identified by a single generation of cottonwood trees. Flooding caused by a major rainfall event and/or extremely high spring river runoff will provide the riparian floodplains with the flood water overflows necessary to support native riparian vegetation and cottonwood regeneration.The upland grass and ruderal herbaceous vegetation communities across the Stiles Mining Resource area do not meet the criteria for wetland based on lack of hydrophytic vegetation. The existing weeds and undesirable vegetation are a concern on this property.Weeds are opportunistic and have occupied the former irrigated fields and dryland pastures. It is Asphalt Specialties plan to reclaim a healthy,functioning,and sustainable dryland native grass property. Due to the degree of past disturbance, rehabilitation will be accomplished by removing grazing, interplanting native grasses and forbs,and/or removing aggressive nonnative plants. Planting a prairie from scratch is a long-term project.Weed management and vegetation reclamation are an integrated component of this mining and reclamation project and over time will achieve successful results. Asphalt Specialties has initiated a best weed management practice by initially mowing the entire property. It is the companies plan to use an integrated management approach to weed prevention that will allow for the best results to reduce the weed concerns on this property. H:\Pits HBP Plants\EVANS\Evans Mining Resource\Exh J Vegetation\Exh J Vegetation DRAFT w NRCS Rangeland.docx