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04004 Banks and Gesso, LLC Exhibit J -Vegetation Information (This exhibit was prepared for L.G. Everist, Inc. by Wright Water Engineers, Inc.) Most of the proposed amendment area consists of old agricultural fields that have not been actively cultivated in recent years. An area in the northwest corner has been used for equestrian purposes. Several old ditch laterals and irrigation structures exist that indicate irrigation occurred in the past. However, these structures are in disrepair indicating that irrigation has not occurred recently. The old fields are currently fallow and consist of upland grasses and weeds. A cottonwood riparian area exists in the southeast portion of the amendment area. Most of the trees in this area are mature plains cottonwoods (Populus deltoides). Dead trees are present, and there are few young cottonwoods. Scattered mature peach leaf willows (Salix amygdaloides) also exist in the riparian area. The riparian area has been impacted by grazing and other disturbances in the past. Alteration of the hydrology of the South Platte River has also likely affected the riparian area. The understory is relatively sparse, and consists mainly of upland weeds including cheat grass (Bromus tectorum), leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), thistle (Circium arvense), and smooth brome (Bromus inermis). A wetland delineation was completed for the site that has been confirmed by the Corps of Engineers (see Attachment B). This delineation found that the only approved jurisdictional wetlands in the amendment area occur in relatively narrow bands along 1) Little Dry Creek, and 2) on the south side of County Road 18, both in the northwest corner of the amendment area (see Exhibit C-2 for locations of jurisdictional wetlands). These wetlands are emergent wetlands dominated by reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), broadleaf cattail (Typha latifolia), prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), curly dock (Rumex crispus) and scattered plains cottonwood trees and sand bar willow (Salix exigua). The wetlands have mineral soils, and are sustained by water in the creek and the drainage ditch along the road. It should be noted that no impacts to any of these wetlands will result from the proposed amendment. Several small areas with some wetland vegetation also occur in the amendment area (e.g., at a small excavation in the field in the southwest corner of the area, and in an old irrigation pond in the north central section), but these areas are not jurisdictional both because they are isolated and do not meet the Corps' criteria. No rare or threatened and endangered plant species are known to occur in the amendment area. Please see Attachment B for a copy of Wright Water Engineer's wetlands delineation report and Corps of Engineers' concurrence letter. Fort Lupton Sand and Gravel Mine - L.G. Everist, Inc. September 20, 2004 Amendment to Permit No M-1999-120 Page 26