2005-07-13_REVISION - M2000016 (26)

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r i~: ~~~~n ye -~D ~ D ~M G lM~ r10(7 Vegetation ~~~:1_ JUL 13 2005 Diuisian of M,irnrl; & GcoIaAY _~ ,~ l s ~ 5 r s~ c~.b w, EXHIBIT J ~ The site historically has been used for agriculture, including livestock grazing and agricultural crops. Current land use in the azea consists of agriculture, sand and gravel mining, light industrial and rural residential. The South Platte River flows along the eastern edge of the permit boundary. Additionally, several irrigation ditches and Big Dry Creek traverse the property. Portions of the South Platte River corridor have been impacted by past agricultural practices and aggregate mining, both upstream and downstream of the site. Wetland and riparian areas occur along the South Platte River, Big Dry Creek, and several unnamed irrigation ditches on the properties, see enclosed Wetland Delineation Studies. The South Platte River and associated riparian corridor flow along the eastern border of the site from south to north. A mixture of wetlands, ripazian forests, and barren sandbazs occur along the river. Wetland areas occur in low-flow backwater areas and areas along the main channel with slow flowing water. Vegetation in wetland azeas along the river vazies. Dominant vegetation consists mostly of understory species such as prairie cordgrass, reed canarygrass, poison hemlock, and cattail. Small patches of soft-stem bulrush, lady's thumb and blue vervain occur on backwater areas. Sandbaz willow is the dominant shrub layer in wetland areas along the river. Riparian areas are dominated by plains cottonwood, peach- leaf willow, Russian olive, and sandbar willow. Understory vegetation consists of mostly smooth brome Canada thistle, showy milkweed, poison hemlock, and poison ivy. Upland areas bordering the river consist mostly of smooth brome pastures, grazed land, and planted crops. Many areas adjacent to the river have been disturbed by human activity. Concrete rubble, trash, and junkyards occur along the river near old farms and industrials areas between Brighton and Fort Lupton. Big Dry Creek flows through the proposed permit boundary from the southwest to northeast. Several diversions occur along the creek within the study area. Vegetation along the creek consists mostly of sandbar willow, with reed canarygrasss, prairie cordgrass, stinging nettle, Canada thistle, and poison hemlock. Mature plains cottonwoods are scattered throughout the Big Dry Creek corridor. Several irrigatiomditches traverse the site. Some lineaz stands of mature cottonwood occur along the ditches. Most of the ditches flow through heavily grazed azeas or cropland. Some fringe wetlands consisting mostly of reed canarygrass and Emory's sedge occur along the banks of the ditches. Upland areas vary greatly throughout the site. No native shortgrass prairie azeas exist in the permit boundary. Some upland pastures, dominated mostly by smooth brome, occur in the riparian azeas near the South Platte River. The majority of upland azeas consist of irrigated cropland. Prominent crops in the azeas consist of com, onion, mustazd, cabbage, and hay. FL Lupton Pit DMG 112 Permit Page 55 of 81