Laserfiche WebLink
UPDATED NATURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY FOR <br />SOUTH OF DIVIDE STUDY AREA <br />The determination of hydrophytic vegetation was based on the List of Plant Species That Occur <br />in Wetlands: Intermountain Region (Region VIII). As required in the Manual, plants rated as <br />"facultative" (FAC) or wetter are considered wetland species. Plants were identified using the <br />following guides: Colorado Flora-Western Slope (Weber, 1987) and Trees and Shrubs of <br />Colorado (Carter, 1988). <br />Soil pits were dug at selected locations to observe soil conditions. A standard Munsell soil color <br />chart was used to identify soil colors <br />Areas of wetland vegetation associated with stock ponds were demarcated as wetlands ifthey met <br />the criteria in the Manual. Stock ponds and wetlands created by stock ponds aze typically not <br />regulated by the U.S. Corps of Engineers (Corps) as long as the stock ponds are part of an active <br />ranching operation, as per 33 CFR 323.4a(3). <br />An additional level of analysis included in this update is that wetlands, which would likely be <br />considered "isolated" by the Corps per the January 2001 U.S. Supreme Court decision in the <br />"Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County case" (SWANCC case), were noted. This case <br />found that wetlands and other "Waters of the U.S." which are not hydrologically connected to, <br />adjacent to, or neighboring an interstate water, are not regulated under Section 404 of the Clean <br />Water Act. Interstate waters include perennial streams such as Minnesota Creek and Deep Creek <br />and adjacent wetlands. The Grand Junction office of the Corps has used a limit of 500 feet for a <br />wetland to be adjacent. <br />3.2 Riparian Areas <br />Riparian areas were identified consistent with guidance from the USFS. 12ipazian areas include all <br />wetlands, plus additional areas dominated by riparian indicator species. Tables 1 and 2 were used <br />to identify indicator species. <br /> <br />831-032.690 Wright Water Engineers, Inc. Page 6 <br />March 2006 <br />