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The upper part of the underlying material, to approximately 22 inches, is pale brown and light yellowish brown
<br />very gravelly sandy loam. The lower portion to a depth of 60 inches is light yellowish brown very gravelly sand.
<br />This soil type is not identified as hydric by the USACE.
<br />Otero sandy loam is located within a band between the Cascajo and Olney soils trending northwest-southwest
<br />along the slope separating the terraces through the Green property. This is a deep, well-drained soil on plains that
<br />is formed in minced outwash and Aeolian deposits. The surface layer of this soil is brown sandy loam about ten
<br />inches thick. The underlying material to a depth of 60 inches is pale brown fine sandy loam. Otero sandy loam is
<br />not listed as a hydric soil by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.
<br />Olney fine sandy loam is located within the irrigated pasture located on the southwest comer of the Green
<br />property. This is a deep, well-drained soil on plains formed in mixed outwash deposits. The surface layer, to
<br />about ten inches, of the soil is grayish brown fine sandy loam. The subsoil is yellowish to very pale brown sandy
<br />clay loam to about 14 inches. To a depth of 60 inches is very pale brown fine sandy loam. Olney soils are not
<br />classified as hydric by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.
<br />Wildlife
<br />The project site is dominated by open herbaceous vegetation communities as described above. Wildlife habitat is
<br />therefore limited in providing cover, shelter, roosting, den, or other sites. The oxbow channels provide limited
<br />dispersal corridors through the east half of the project site. The ponds on the project site provide a water and food
<br />source and resting azea for wildlife.
<br />Wildlife species of the project site are those typical of the open herbaceous range and agricultural azeas of the
<br />Colorado Piedmont. Mammal species likely include whitetail and mule deer, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, skunks,
<br />badgers, assorted rodents, rabbits, shrews, moles, and bats. Bird species likely to be found on the project site
<br />include hawks, owls, herons, geese and ducks, coots, cranes, various shorebirds, kingfishers, flycatchers, shrikes,
<br />vireos, meadowlazks, several swallow species, robins, jays, crows, magpies„ starlings, cowbirds, grackles, and
<br />various passerines. Reptiles and amphibians that could be encountered include garter and gopher snakes, racers,
<br />prairie rattlesnakes, painted and snapping turtles, bull leopard, and cricket frogs, as well as several aquatic
<br />salamander species in the ponds. Lazgemouth bass have been observed in the ponds.
<br />The project site was evaluated for Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) habitat by Savage
<br />and Savage Enviromental in 2001. It was concluded, and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service concurred that the
<br />project site did not contain Preble's habitat, and therefore individuals or a population of the mice was not likely to
<br />be encountered on the site.
<br />Tn 2001, Savage and Savage Environmental conducted a survey for the Ute ladies-tresses orchid (Spiranthes
<br />diluvialis) on the project site. No orchids were encountered and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service cleared the
<br />project site (see Appendix).
<br />Existing Structures
<br />Structures on the project site include a farm residence and associated buildings, the farm ponds and ditches
<br />described above, several farm roads, a high pressure underground natural gas distribution line, and sealed
<br />underground petroleum lines. Oil and gas production equipment on site during investigations in 2001 has been
<br />removed and the drill hole reclaimed. The mining operation has commenced on the western portion of the project
<br />site, and currently an office and batch plant, pazking lot, sediment basins, mining cell, and stockpile are located
<br />there.
<br />Project: Green & Croissant Aggregate Mining Appiica¢t: Loveland Ready Mix, Inc. Pg 9 of 51
<br />Carps File No: 2QOISQ205 Waterway: Big Ilurmpson Wetlands. Weld County, CO
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