Laserfiche WebLink
Pinyon <br /> 3. Results <br /> 3.1 Habitat Description <br /> 3.1.1 Land Use <br /> The study area is located in a rural area east of Pueblo, generally between U.S. Highway 50 and the Arkansas <br /> River (Figure 1). The study area is located in the floodplain of the Arkansas River and Saint Charles River and <br /> numerous non-wetland waters, such as Thunderbird Lake,and wetlands were noted throughout the study area <br /> (see Section 3.4 Non-wetland Waters and Wetlands) (Figure 2). No structures are currently located in the study <br /> area; although, a powerline traverses the western portion of the site from north to south and various two- <br /> track roads are located in the western portion of the study area. The Town of Baxter is located just north of <br /> the study area and numerous small residential areas and agricultural fields are located near the study area. <br /> 3.1.2 General Habitat and Vegetation Description <br /> Dominant species along portions of the upland habitats included grasses such as smooth brome (Bromus <br /> inermis), blue grama (Bouteloua grocilis), purple threeawn (Aristida purpurea), and cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). <br /> Common herbaceous species were field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), diffuse knapweed (Centourea diffusa), <br /> Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), annual sunflower (Helionthus annuus), American licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota), <br /> and kochia (Bassin scoporia). Common shrubs included rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nouseoso) and saltcedar <br /> (Tomarix chinensis). Trees were dominated by stands of plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides). Less dense <br /> scattered trees included Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila). <br /> The site is located along the Arkansas River; therefore, riparian habitat makes up much of the study area. <br /> Dominant species in the riparian areas included smooth brome, purple threeawn, coyote willow (Solix exiguo), <br /> saltcedar, Russian olive (Elaeognus angustifolia), and plains cottonwood. Other common species included reed <br /> canary grass (Pholaris orundinacea), common threesquare (Schoenoplectus pungens), narrowleaf cattail (Typha <br /> angustifolia), Canada thistle, and various grass species (Poaceae). No sensitive or rare plant species were noted <br /> within the study area. <br /> Wetlands were delineated within the study area and are described further in Section 3.4.2 Wetlands. <br /> 3.2 Threatened and Endangered Species <br /> 3.2.1 Federally Listed Species <br /> Based on a review of the USFWS online IPaC System,there are three federally listed species with the potential <br /> to occur in, or be impacted by, a project in this location (USFWS, 2020). The habitat and distribution of each <br /> of the species was reviewed, and the potential for occurrence was assigned based on the conditions within the <br /> study area. Based on the habitat review, the three federally listed species have no potential to occur in, or be <br /> affected by,the project (Table 3-1). In addition, no critical habitats are mapped in the study area. <br /> Biological Resources Report <br /> Thunderbird Property <br /> Pueblo County, Colorado Page 4 <br />