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this is the richest wetland development area within each enclosure. There is a total of 2.24 <br />acres in this category (1.36 acres in the north wetland enclosure and 0.88 acres in the south <br />enclosure). This unit often contains the largest woody vegetation, especially willows. <br />Cottonwood does not seem to do well in this unit as it is probably too wet. Cattail (Typha sp.) <br />are often found in this area along with several of the robust species of bulrush (Scirpus sp.). <br />Intermediate Wetland: This unit is not quite as lush and well developed as the <br />Principal Wetland unit, but it is still strongly dominated by obligate wetland species. Rarely is <br />open water found in this unit. This also seems to be the location where the most dense growth <br />of young, developing woody vegetation is found. Cottonwood in particular is especially <br />abundant in this unit, but the willows are also well represented. The herbaceous growth here <br />is dominated by Scirpus amercianus along with a number of species of Juncus and Carex. <br />However, Carex is not common anywhere in this drainage and constitutes a rather minor part <br />of the total vegetation with Scirpus amercianus and Juncus balticus (a.k.a. Juncus arcticus) <br />being the two most common species. There is a total of 4.37 acres of this unit in both <br />enclosures (1.72 acres in the northern and 2.65 acres in the southern). <br />Marginal Wetland: This unit would still qualify as a jurisdictional wetland but the <br />vegetation tends to have much less cover, generally about 30% to 70%. The dominant species <br />found in this unit are similar to the Intermediate Wetland but it is clear that they are living <br />near the end of their tolerance curves and are not very large or strong plants. The soils in <br />these areas tend to be a sandy veneer a few inches deep over a clay substrate. Cottonwood in <br />this area, however, is often stronger than elsewhere and willows, although still present, are <br />less abundant than in the Intermediate Wetlands. There is a total of 0.36 acres in this unit <br />(0.10 acres in the north enclosure and 0.26 acres in the south enclosure). <br />Upland: Around the edges of the enclosures are lands that are higher than the <br />stream channel. Most of these lands are about 1 to 3 feet higher than the land where the <br />wetlands occur, but some small areas may be as much as 4 feet higher. In both the north and <br />south enclosures the larger portions of the upland unit were where the larger cottonwood trees <br />were planted. It appears this was an excellent choice as these trees have done exceptionally <br />well. In fact, the few trees that are in soils that are consistently wetter have shown less <br />growth than those that are about 2 to 3 feet above the zone where the herbaceous wetlands are <br />most vigorous. In many places within this zone upland grasses from the surrounding prairie or <br />riparian forest have invaded, but some wetland species can also be found. It is unlikely much <br />of the land shown on the map as upland would qualify as jurisdictional wetland, but it is <br />possible that sufficient moisture is present for a few weeks to allow at least some of the upland <br />Coal Creek Wetlands and Wetland Mitigation DA Permit 198811488 August 2003 Page 10 of 23 <br />