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.~ WestWater Engineering 2516 FORESIGHT CIRCLE, #1 GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO 81505 (970) 241-7076 FAX: (970)241-7097 August 25, 2006 Mr. Greg Lewicki Lewicki & Associates 11541 Warrington Court Parker, CO 80138 RE: White River City Pit Wetland Evaluation Rio Blanco County, CO Deaz Mr. Lewicki: At the request of Lewicki &Associates, WestWater biologists performed a wetland evaluation of the proposed White River City Pit on August 15, 2006. The site is located on the Robert Williams property along the White River near the confluence with Piceance Creek. Hay had recently been hazvested from the field at the time of the inspection, and imgation water had been removed long enough to allow for the use of haying equipment. Common plants in the hay field include timothy, white clover and intermediate wheatgrass. The purpose of the evaluation was to provide an opinion as to presence of wetlands as defined by the Anny Corps of Engineers. As no surface water or ground water within 24 inches of the surface was noted at the time of the survey, initial wetland determination was made on the basis of hydric soil characteristics and the presence/absence of hydrophytic vegetation. Based on our observations, four azeas (Areas A, B, C and D) aze likely to be considered jurisdictional wetlands at the site. Three of these (Areas A, B and C) are located in the northwest portion of the property (Figure 1) and appeaz to be old oxbows of the White River. These azeas aze dominated by wetland species (coyote willow, cattail, hazdstem bulrush and juncus), and have hydric soil chazacteristics (gleying, mottling, low-chroma colors, and sulfidic odor). Wetland hydrology appeaz to be primarily related to the proximity of the White River, though there maybe some irrigation component. Area D, located in the southwest portion of the site, includes wetland vegetation (cattail, hazdstem bulrush, juncus) and hydric soils, but the source of wetland hydrology is in question. Irrigation appeazs to be the primary component of the hydrology in Area D, but other sources may also be present. If irrigation is the only source, and can be controlled by curtailing imgation, Area D may not be considered to be wetland. A fifth area (Area E), consisting of a clump of willow along the main east-west ditch in the field, is not likely to be considered wetland. A few obligate wetland species aze present in Area E, but the soils did not display cleaz hydric characteristics. Therefore, Area E is probably due entirely to irrigation. A springtime survey, including installation of shallow monitoring wells with the irrigation entirely curtailed, should be considered to determine the wetland status of Area D. White River Ciry Pit December 06 I-4