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6.3.2 Exhibit B -Site Description (a) Vegetation Description Savage and Savage conducted a vegetation assessment for the United Companies proposed 14 Road Pit site on September 16, 2002 (see attached data sheet). Weather during the site investigation was wazm, dry, and clear with temperatures in the upper 70's. ' The vegetation of the site has been historically altered from native conditions through agriculture and grazing. The border of the site to the south and west contains a riparian corridor dominated by plains cottonwood (Populus deitoides) trees and tamarisk trees and saplings (Tamarix ramosissima). The tamarisk forms a dense understory that is nearly impenetrable. There is little herbaceous understory. Vegetation cover in this community was estimated at 75 percent. The northern border of the site contains a curvilinear group of mature plains cottonwood trees with an understory of Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustrfolia) trees. The trees appear to have grown along a relict oxbow or drainage feature. There is no evidence of hydrologic conditions that would foster wetland development in this area. Herbaceous pasture dominates the center of the site that has been historically used for corrals and grazing. There aze a few scattered individual cottonwood trees within the pasture, however the dominant plant species are the grasses inland saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) and alkali sacaton (Sporobolus cryptandrus), and the annual fortis knapweed (Centaurea spp.) and kochia (Kochia scoparia). A few lazge individual rubber rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus) plants Can be found along the edges of the corrals. Overall total vegetation cover in this area was estimated at 25-30 percent. There was no evidence of any plant species of special concern. (d) Wildlife Assessment Savage and Savage conducted a wi]dlife assessment for the United Companies proposed 19 Road Pit site on September 16, 2002. Weather during the site investigation was warm, dry, and cleaz with temperatures in the upper 70's. Site Description The proposed 19 Road Pit permit area encompasses approximately 9.75 acres located approximately one mile southeast of Fruits, Colorado in Mesa County. The site is located in the NE'/<SE'/< of Section 28 in Township 1 North, Range 2 West of the Ute Meridian in Mesa County, Colorado. The property is bounded on the north by a golf course, the east by 19 Road, the south by a ranch road, and an the west by a fence line (19 Road Pit Map B-1). The property was accessed from 19 Road. -1-