2023-07-12_PERMIT FILE - M2022048 (2)

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Description of West Farm Surface Water Features Savage and Savage Environmental conducted on-line and on-site background investigations of surface water features of the L.G. Everist West Farm property in April and May 2020. The investigations included reviews of current and historic aerial photography, USGS topographic mapping(1978),Natural Resource Conservation Service web soil surveys,and interviews of L.G. Everist personnel regarding the historic uses and management of the West Farm property. In April 2020, an on-site investigation of the property and surface water features was undertaken, with attendant mapping and feature descriptions. West Farm Historic Uses and Management Agriculture and Livestock Grazing The West Farm is located on both the primary and secondary alluvial terraces above the South Platte River,with the majority of the property(eastern%)sited on the primary alluvial terrace. During the twentieth century the property was farmed using flood irrigation and pivot irrigation methods. Both terraces were used for agriculture. Additionally, the areas were utilized for cattle grazing when not in crop production. To facilitate irrigation,numerous irrigation delivery ditches and tailwater collection ditches were constructed within and adjacent to the agricultural fields. The sources for the irrigation water included on-site groundwater wells and surface irrigation water from irrigation canals and ditches originating off-site. Ultimately, irrigation tailwater was(and is)returned to the South Platte River via constructed ditches and existing flood plain drainage features. From historic aerial photography and USGS mapping it is evident that modifications to the irrigation supply and collection system have taken place over the last fifty years to facilitate agricultural production and a subsequent use. Waterfowl Hunting Prior to 1999,developers modified surface features of the West Farm to promote waterfowl habitat through retention of flood and irrigation waters along irrigation tailwater collection and return ditches. Field dikes and diversions into mesic agricultural fields promoted shallow puddles for duck habitat, while control of surface waters within collection and return ditches enlarged the waters behind the control point (upstream)providing additional stream-like habitat for waterfowl. Management of the property for waterfowl habitat and hunting continued until the recent purchase of the West Farm property by L.G. Everist. Current and Future Management L.G. Everist plans to return the property to an agricultural and grazing use. As part of this return, upland surface features constructed to promote wildfowl habitat that flooded agricultural field have been modified or removed, including field dikes and restrictive drainage blocks,to ensure surface water flow while irrigating. This has returned agricultural fields to mesic vegetation communities compatible with annual row crops and hay production. L.G.Everist West Farm Jurisdictional Determination Request Page 4 of 14