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RIVERCITY <br /> 0 N S <br /> Exhibit J <br /> Vegetation Plan <br /> (a) Present Vegetation Types <br /> The 27.8-acre permit area lies adjacent to the Colorado River within MLRA 034E—Warm Central <br /> Desertic Basins and Plateaus. Vegetation is sparse overall, reflecting historical agricultural use <br /> and disturbance. Estimated cover and height values are summarized in Table 1. <br /> Table 1. Vegetation by Life-Form <br /> Life Form Dominant Species(Scientific Name) Avg. Avg. <br /> Cover Height <br /> (%) (ft) <br /> Trees Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii) <5% 20-40 <br /> Tall Shrubs Coyote willow(Salix exigua) <2% 6-10 <br /> Low Shrubs Mat saltbush (Atriplex corrugata), scattered spp. <5% 2-3 <br /> Grasses Smooth brome (Bromus inermis), crested wheatgrass 15-20% 1-2 <br /> (Agropyron cristatum), Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum <br /> hymenoides),galleta grass (Hilaria jamesii), sand <br /> dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) <br /> Forbs/Weeds Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), kochia (Bassia scoparia), 5-10% 0.5-1.5 <br /> cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) <br /> Total Vegetative Cover: —20-25%across the site,with higher cover near riparian margins. <br /> (b) Relationship of Vegetation to Soils <br /> • Floodplain Alluvium (silty clay loams): Supports Fremont cottonwood and willow in <br /> wetter microsites. <br /> • Shallow/Alkaline Soils(derived from Mancos Shale): Support drought-tolerant grasses <br /> (Indian ricegrass, galleta grass) and saltbush. <br /> • Disturbed/Compacted Soils: Favor early successional and invasive species such as <br /> brome, kochia, and cheatgrass. <br /> Vegetation distribution is strongly tied to topography: riparian species along the floodway, <br /> sparse grass/shrub cover on uplands, and weed-dominated vegetation on historically cultivated <br /> or disturbed terraces. <br />