2004-11-09_REVISION - M2000016 (11)

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NORDEN PROPERTY Most of the Norden property consists of upland azeas that are used for livestock grazing. In 2004, all of the area was being grazed by cattle, and most of the area was closely cropped. The site is crossed by a tributary to Big Dry Creek (from south to north). There is also a drainage/seepage area that enters the site from the southwest. This area is a wetland that has developed in what may be a very old meander structure associated with a former channel of the South Platte River. The eastern part of the site has a few small, ephemeral drainage channels that carry surface run-off, but even in the lowest parts of these channels wetlands have not developed. A few wetland species were noted in these areas, but the sites lack the necessary hydrology to support wetlands. Wetlands on the Norden property mostly occur on the western part of the property (Map N-1). There is a shallow groundwater pond that occurs on a site that has already been mined. There were only a few places were wetland species were noted growing along the shoreline of the pond. The shallows of the pond would be considered to be wetlands. Two small islands in the pond were dry, with no wetland vegetation. This pond is probably non- jurisdictional because it is isolated from the existing drainages. Other wetland areas occur in association with a natural channel that drains a much larger marshy area located southwest of the site. This marsh extends onto the Norden property, however the evidence of the marshy conditions are less apparent because of livestock grazing on the Norden property. There are pockets of upland vegetation associated with topographically higher parts of the marsh. There are also wetlands associated with the tributary of Big Dry Creek that crosses the central part of the site. This is the natural channel that is an extension of the ditch that begins on the Rittenhouse property. Wetlands occur along the saturated zones next to the water and also on low terraces along the stream. These wetlands are jurisdictional, because of the connection with other jurisdictional wetlands and waters of the United States. There are two small wetland areas that occur in association with small ephemeral drainages located on either side of the access road that crossed the site. These low spots hold water long enough to create the conditions necessary for the growth of wetland species. Because they are isolated from the stream and from the larger complex of wetlands on the western part of the property, they are non-jurisdictional. Summaries of the wetland areas are presented in Table N-1. -19-