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Rifle Gravel Pit#1 July 2023 <br /> • Tree Stratum: consists exclusively of Russian olive, comprising approximately 5% <br /> cover of the Affected Lands. Minimal evidence of reproduction; individuals are <br /> generally mature specimens 20-30 feet tall. <br /> • Sapling/Shrub Stratum: includes primarily greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) <br /> and rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa), with small areas of big sagebrush <br /> (Artemisia tridentata) in more xeric micro-sites. Total coverage is approximately 25% <br /> of the Affected Lands, with average height being approximately 3 feet tall. <br /> • Herb Stratum: dominant species include alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides), inland <br /> saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), and intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum <br /> intermedium). Other representative species as described in Section 11.2. Total <br /> coverage is generally 80-90%, approaching 100% coverage in some areas. Total <br /> herbaceous vegetation heigh and abundance has increased notably in the last two <br /> growing seasons since cattle grazing has been curtailed on the property, with <br /> average heights of approximately 2 feet currently. <br /> 11.1.1 Upland Pasture Typical Vegetation <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 /> 11.1.2 Riparian Woodland/Shrubland Typical Vegetation <br /> • Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) <br /> • Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) <br /> • Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) <br /> • Rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa) <br /> • Alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides) <br /> • Inland saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) <br /> 11.2 Vegetation and Soil Relationships <br /> SGM reviewed the Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO) which confirmed the <br /> presence of four soil types within the Affected Lands (as described in Section 10). The <br /> mapped soil unit boundaries were found to be roughly accurate, although soil texture did <br /> vary widely, likely as a result of the combination of past agricultural treatments and historic <br /> 69 <br />