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sometimes almost impenetrable. Understory growth is composed of dense grass, sometimes sedges and rushes, and various fortis. The willow tends to occupy the wettest areas with the Tamarix occupying the slightly more elevated areas. However, there can also exist a broad zone where willow and Tamarix blend and compete with each other. This blending has been a problem in establishing wetlands at the Great Blue Heron Pit. The Tamarix tends to occupy a slightly higher elevation than the willow, but not enough to avoid significant competition. At that site, the Tamarix is physically removed before it becomes too large. This unit is unquestionably wetland and virtually all jurisdictional wetland. It is not expected that any of this unit will be affected by this operation. Cattail Marsh: This unit occurs in shallow basins east of the eastern section as well as isolated locations near the mouth of Brush Hollow Creek. These shallow basins, some of which might be very old man made basins, are sufficiently deep that groundwater rises above the surface during the peak of the runoff. During the rest of the year, the groundwater is probably not exposed, but remains very near the surface. These units are clearly jurisdictional wetlands. None of these are expected to be affected by the operation. Grass/Scouring Rusl1: This small but interesting unit occurs in only one location on the west side of Brush Hollow Creek and along the edge of the irrigated pasture and cropland. It appears to occupy a slightly lower depression in an upland area and is maintained totally by tailwater from the fields. The land itself is several feet above any drainageways and probably has a water table that is four to six feet below the surface. The scouring rush can be locally dense, but generally is widely distributed but not quite dominant. This plant is probably Eguisetrern Iryemale as indicated by the growth form and the dark banding on the sheaths (this is called Hippocbaete Iryernalis ssp affir:is in Weber's Colorado Flora). It is possible this plant is one of the other closely related species, as species of this genus are often difficult to identify wi[hout observing them throughout the season. However, all species that are possible are shown as FACW species in the 1988 list of plants that occur in wetlands. Because this unit is adjacent to an area that will be mined, it will be necessary to determine whether it is a jurisdictional wetland or not. At this point in time, it appears not to be jurisdictional due to the apparent high dependency on tailwater and its elevated location with respect to groundwater support. Wetlands: Exhibit C-5 shows the locations of all wetland and potential wetland areas. These are mapped in accordance with accepted wetland mapping techniques utilizing the same basis as the National Wetland Inventory maps with the additional benefit of ground examination rather than almost total reliance on aerial mapping. Those wetland units that are clearly or likely to be jurisdictional are cross- hatched. In general, the operation will not affect much of any of the wetland units identified on the Exhibit C-5 map. However, some may be affected to a small extent. Where ever that occurs, delineation will be needed and proper permitting obtained prior to disturbance. At this point in time, it does not appear that the amount of wetland or waters of the United States that will be affected will exceed that allowed under the new Nationwide Permit requirements. However, it is possible that an individual permit will be required if there is more jurisdictional wetland to be disturbed than is currently anticipated. (Please see Mining Plan - Exhibit D for more information.) Grisenti Farms Gravel Pit Original Application Exhibit J Page J-4