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Exhibit H Wildlife Information The wildlife resources of this site are typical of bottomland riparian forest, grassland, and agricultural land. Although large animals such as deer, fox, and coyote utilize the area, they generally range throughout the region. The greatest abundance of wildlife on site are small mammals and birds. The riparian forests throughout Colorado are important habitats for many species of song birds, especially warblers. In Spring, the forest areas contain a large population of song birds, especially Yellow Warblers and House Wrens, both of which seem to be very abundant in this area. Many other species including Orioles, Tanagers, and various species of sparrow are also abundant. Of course, in winter the abundance of these species declines as many of the species are migratory and move south for the winter. Waterfowl are also fairly abundant including various species of ducks, herons, and other wading or diving birds. These mainly live on the river, but seem to be invading the lakes, ponds and marshes as those habitats increase. In late May 1993, a Little Blue Heron was sighted feeding along the shoreline of one of the gravel pit ponds at the Great Blue Heron Pit. In June 2000, another was sighted in the developing wetlands on the south end of the north lake at that site. This species is unusual this far west on the Arkansas River. It is more common along the Arkansas River in eastern Colorado and abundant east of central Kansas. Great Blue Herons, from which the operation derives its name, are often seen hunting in the ponds and along the river. In winter, Bald Eagle can occasionally be sighted along the river, but seem to be most attracted to the river and not the lakes. Clearly the combination of the river and the gravel pit ponds are favored by many species of waterfowl and as wetland habitats continue to develop or be created many other species will undoubtedly move into this area. This site a~ill be reclaimed to a condition similar to the Great Blue Heron Pit to south of this the site and this should further encourage the development of new wildlife habitats. Lake margins will have gradual slopes and should produce an abundant growth of emergent vegetation including cattails, rushes, and sedges. Other portions of the lake will have relatively narrow shoreline vegetation zones with somewhat steeper slopes. However, it is expecced chat eventually the entire perimeter of the lakes will be lined with emergent vegetation. This should include at least cattails, rushes, sedges, and willow (mainly Salix exigrra) and some cottonwood and, unfortunately, the ubiquitous invaders Tamarix and Russian Olive (£leagnrrs angrrstifolia). Although the Russian Olive provides some wildlife value, the Tamarix usually does not and is only a problem that is extremely difficult to control. Physical control (weeding) has been successful in limiting the invasion of Tamarix into the wetland areas, but the long term success of this approach has yet to be proven. Grisenti Farms Gravel Pit Original Application Exhibit H Page H-1