Laserfiche WebLink
EXHIBIT J -VEGETATION INFORMATION <br />The following vegetation report was prepared by WALSH Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC, <br />located at 4888 Pearl East Circle, Suite 108, Boulder, Colorado 80301, 303.443-3282 on August 3, 2004. <br />INTRODUCTION <br />This report constitutes Exhibit J-Vegetation Information, in fulfillment of the Colorado Division of Mining <br />and Geology (DMG) requirements for a permit to mine sand and gravel (Section 6.4.10, Construction <br />Materials Rule 6). The report was prepared on behalf of Civil Resources, LLC, project planners and <br />engineers, by Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC (Walsh Environmental) of Boulder, <br />Colorado. <br />Information presented in this report is based on a site survey in early July 2004 and information available <br />from the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) database for Weld County. The site survey and <br />review of existing information was performed by Allen B. Crockett, Ph.D., Senior Ecologist with Walsh <br />Environmental). <br />The site is located east of U.S. Highway 85, west of Weld County Road 27, and north of Weld County Road <br />6. The northern boundary lies approximately 3,000 feet north of Weld County Road 8. <br />(a) PRESENT VEGETATION TYPES <br />Agricultural Cropland <br />The site currently consists almost entirely of agricultural land used primarily for the production of vegetable <br />crops. At the time of the survey in July 2004, some of the lands were in active production, while others <br />were lying fallow as part of normal crop rotation. In addition to the planted crops, these lands support some <br />common agricultural weeds (e.g., field bindweed, kochia, goosefoot, prickly lettuce, annual sunflower), <br />especially along field margins or in fallow areas. <br />Irrigation Ditches <br />The site contains multiple irrigation ditches that provide water for the intensive agricultural uses onsite and <br />convey water to other downstream users. The ditches are essentially devoid of riparian trees and shrubs or <br />herbaceous wetland plants. Most of the ditch margins are weedy and unmown and therefore support <br />relatively rank vegetation. Foliar cover on the banks is high (more than 80 percent) due to the height of the <br />weedy growth (2 to 4 feet high). Prevalent species include kochia, goosefoot, prickly lettuce, and giant <br />ragweed. More floriferous species such as common tansy, tall goldenrod, and common evening-primrose <br />are also present along the ditches. <br />Degraded Pasture <br />Immediately east of U.S. 85 in the northwestern part of the site is an area of approximately 16 acres that <br />supports a degraded pasture. The pasture consists primarily of introduced pasture grasses (predominantly <br />smooth brome) with associated ruderal (orbs such as annual sunflower, common dandelion, field bindweed, <br />English plantain, and Dutch white clover. The pasture is grazed, with the result of low height (less than 12 <br />inches) except for some weeds (e.g., kochia, goosefoot, prickly lettuce) along the fenceline. Foliar cover of <br />perennial grasses is 70 percent or greater due to dominance by aggressive rhizomatous pasture species <br />and relatively moist conditions in the low-lying area. Forbs (mostly annual or biennial) add another 10 <br />percent foliar cover. <br />SW TKO Joint Venture, LLC. -Adams Sand and Gravel Mine -112 Reclamation Permit Amendment Page 28 <br />