PERMFILE110574

• Permit No: C1981022
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 12/11/2001
• Doc Name: WATERS OF THE US & WETLANDS DELINEATION CEDAR CREEK ASSOC 1999
• Section_Exhibit Name: Exhibit 2.04-E6 Part 3
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

916 Wiltshire Ave. • Fort Collins. Colorado 80521 • [phone]
•
Ms. Kathy Wett June 23, 1999
Environmental Supervisor
Oxbow Mining, Inc.
P. O. Box 535
Somerset, Colorado 81434
Dear Ms. Welt:
At your request, Cedar Creek Associates, Ina completed a wetlands delineation survey of a portion
of Elk Creek (project area) located to the north of the Town of Somerset, Colorado. The field survey was
completed on June 18, 1999. The project area, part of a proposed mine expansion, consists of a stretch
of Elk Creek approximately 2, 700 feet long which includes the banks of the creek extending upslope to
the elevation of an existing road paralleling the creek to the west.
The objective of this survey was to fulfill the requirements of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
regarding the delineation of wetlands and Waters of the U. S. prior to potential development activities.
The information gathered wiA also be used as baseline data for input into the Environmental Impact
Statement being prepared for the project as awhole.
Study Methodology
Wetland mapping and delineation work was completed using the methods and techniques specified
for "routine on-site delineations" in the publication Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual
(1987). Project maps were reviewed to familiarize field personnel with the project stte. A cursory
• examination of the property was made during a previous site visit to assess the surfidal conditions of the
project area.
To propedy identity and delineate wetland/upland boundaries, sample points along and within
suspected boundaries were selected. Sample points were also sited in uplands to more fully characterize
the project area, and were paired with wetland sample points to better demonstrate vegetation community
variability. At each sample point, percent total cover of dominant plant species was estimated. Species
were then classed as OBL (obligate wetland species), FACW (faattative wetland species), FAC
(facultative species), FACU (facultative upland species) or UPL (upland species). Soil and hydrologic data
were also collected to determine the presence or absence of wetlands at each sampling point. Wetland
soil indicators potentially included the presence of a histic epipedon, mottling, gleying, an aquic soil
moisture regime, and high organic matter content andlor organic matter streaking in the surface layers of
sandy soils. Potential wetland hydrologic indicators included topographic position, presence of standing
water and/or saturated soil profile conditions, drainage patterns, water marls, sediment deposits, and
oxidized root channels in the upper 12 inches of the soil profile. A formal field data sheet was completed
for each sampling point.
In conjunction with formal sampling points, "check holes" were dug to further aid in making
wetland/upland boundary determinations. Check holes provided addltional vegetation, soil, and
hydrologic information useful for refining boundaries drawn in wetland/upland transition zones. Such
information was also used to better characterize wetland and upland conditions as a whole within the
project area Feld data sheets were not completed for check holes.
Waters of the U. S. were delineated along E,'k Creep based on observed creek morphology in terms
of defined bed and bank conditions.
Following the analysis of stte characteristics, the wetland/upland boundaries and sample points (OX-1
through OX-5) were flagged with pink fluorescent tape and numbered orange fluorescent pin flags tied
with pink tape, respectively, for subsequent surveying work. Waters of the U. S. were marked with blue
flagging. Boundaries which did not consist of closed polygons, a those abutting project area boundaries,