2006-12-05_REVISION - M2001035 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~ melting. Water then subs into the below ground water table. Developing Trout Creek's water rights and then building a flow terminating reservoir made change long ago to the natural channel below the mouth of the canyon. This action will not further alter riparian resources. Slight floodplain functions on a small segment of BLM stream will be lost during natural floods, but the pit will likely capture more flow than the reach of public land stream would prior so no down stream flooding will be exacerbated because of this action. Finding on the Public Land Health Standard for Riparian Systems: NA INVASIVE, NON-NATIVE SPECIES Affected Environment: A weed inventory has been completed in the general area. There are no known noxious weeds on the project site. The ecological site is prone to invasion by knapweed species and toadflax species if severe soil disturbance occurs. Environmental ConsegnenceslMitigation:. Proposed Action: The disturbance caused by the gravel pit will be severe enough to increase the risk of noxious weeds. If water is held in the pit for a majority of the growing season, knapweeds and toadflax species will not be able to grow on the site, but the site will be prone to invasion by aquatic weeds. If the pit site is not wet for the majority of the growing season upland weed species may invade. Stipulations should be added to the permit stating that the applicant be responsible for the cost of control of any state or federally listed noxious weed that become established on the site as a result of the disturbance caused by the mining operation. No Action Alternative: None. Cumulative Impacts ofthe Proposed Action: When the soil disturbing actives of the proposed action are added to other disturbances in the general area there is a slight cumulative impact that will increase the risk of weed invasion. MIGRATORY BIRDS Affected Environment: The project area is located in a gravelly wash that supports mostly rabbitbrush shrubs and a few grasses. The azea is within pinyon pine and juniper habitat on an east-facing slope. Birds that occupy nearby pinyon juniper habitats aze likely the key species for the area. Pinyon juniper habitat supports the largest nesting bird species list of any upland vegetation type in the West. The richness of the pinyon juniper vegetation type, however, is important due to its middle elevation. Survey tallies in pinyon juniper are similaz in species diversity [o the best riparian. Several species are found in the pinyon juniper habitat and include: black-chinned hummingbird, gray flycatcher, Cassin's kingbird, gray vireo, pinyon jay, juniper titmouse, black-throated gray wazbler, Scott's oriole, ash-throated flycatcher, Bewick's wren, mountain chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, and chipping sparrow. Very few of these species would be found in proximity to the actual disturbance area. Environmental Consequences/Mitigation: