Laserfiche WebLink
av <br /> SOIL e EGO <br /> To: Linda O'Brien <br /> From: Aaron DeJoia, CPSS/CPAg/CCA, Soil and Ecological Solutions, LLC <br /> Date: September 28, 2025 <br /> Subject:Preliminary Reclamation Review of the O'Brien Pit in Larimer County,Colorado <br /> Introduction <br /> A preliminary site visit of the O'Brien property portion of the Kirtright gravel pit was conducted on <br /> September 25, 2025. During the site visit, soil,vegetation and site stability were evaluated by the <br /> undersigned author,Aaron DeJoia, a Certified Professional Agronomist and Certified Professional Soil <br /> Scientist. During the preliminary site visit site soils and vegetation were evaluated in both the mined and <br /> non-mined areas on the O'Brien property. Below are the results of the preliminary evaluation and the <br /> results are based on a limited sampling. Further evaluations are required to confirm the observed <br /> results, however in the limited assessment the results were consistent,and it is expected that further <br /> evaluations will help identify the extent and make more accurate soil and vegetative maps. <br /> Vegetation <br /> Non-Mined <br /> Areas to the north of the O'Brien property had natural vegetative community for the area (Photograph <br /> 1).The vegetation consisted of predominately cool and warm season grasses, and many native forbs and <br /> shrubs.Visual observation indicated that there were very limited weedy grasses or forbs within the non- <br /> mined areas. <br /> Mined <br /> The mined area consisted predominately(estimated to be greater than 75%of the mined area) kochia <br /> and russian thistle which are considered weedy species and provide very little in terms of grazing or <br /> agricultural production (Photograph 2). In small patches some cool and warm season grasses were <br /> observed. In lower lying areas alkali grasses(species not determined)were observed. These alkali <br /> grasses indicate potential saline and/or sodic soil conditions. In general,the mined area has very limited <br /> areas of self-sustaining native or self-sustaining species and is not equivalent to the production or <br /> species located in the non-mined area. <br />