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In situ- Upon arrival at the site a search of drainage pattems and possible atypical conditions was made for the region surcounding the site. Watershed pattems that influenced the Flow of possible wetland features were noted, as well as observed current climatic conditions (No weather station data available for the immediate area), past climatic conditions, and land use pattems that may affect the hydrologic regime of the area. The Colorado Division of Water Resources w'as also consulted for annual flow rates of the Florida River. Subsequently, eight (8) wetland areas were identified within the property (Appendix A; Figures 2 & 3). Three (3) of these wetland areas were seepage wetlands along the eastern terrace slope, four (4) were associated with riverine headwater and backwater flooding areas, and one (I) was associated with the creek atop of the west terrace ridgeline. Forrnal delineation procedures were employed to determine the nature of these areas. 3.1.1 On site; 18 & 22, August 2005 During the wetland identification, modification of vegetation parameters was not required. Soil pits were dug to a depth of at least 20", where possible, to test for the possibility of samtated soil conditions below the average rooting depth. ]nterprefation of saturation and water table depths were made upon using best professional judgments considering the decreased probabilities of meeting wetland parameters during the current low Flows in the Florida River Separate "test pits" were dug in suspect areas to gain insight as to the actual tapering fringe from wetland to upland. These pits were dug at distant areas surrounding the site to deternine the nature and differences in surrounding hydrological drivers. A United States Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service "National List of Plant Species that occur in Wetlands List" was used to obtain vegetation designations. 3.2 DELINEATION RESULTS I[ is important to note that the surface water features of the area were assessed for relative function within [he single geomorphic landscape of an alluvial riverine system influenced by numerous geologic functions including outwash evidence from glaciations. Moreover, aR are functioning in a palustdne environment. Each of the wetlands was investigated and boundaries were delineated by generating sample points assumed to be clearly within the wetlands and within close proximity to the tapering fringe of their assumed boundaries. The plot data results were used to interpret qualitative indicators (defined topography, apparent vegetation dominance) around the site. 3.2.1 Wetland Descriptions/Findings Functions and values of wetlands in the project area were assessed utilizing the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Cowardin classification system as well as Brinson's (1993) "A hydrogeomorphic classification for wetlands" technical report. Specific reference to other similar hydrogeoligical areas was gathered from. "A guidebook for application of hydrogeomorphic assessments to riverine wetlands" (Brinson, e[. al. 1995), and "A Regional Guidebook for Applying the Hydrogeomorphic Approach to Assessing Wetland Functions of Riverine Floodplains in the Northern Rocky Mountains" (Hauer, F. R., et al. 2002). 3.2.1.1 Terrace Slope Seep Wetlands (Isolated) (1)Semi-Permanently Flooded, Emergent Palustrine Wetland These areas are apparently influenced from extensive irrigation resources up-gradient along the mildly rolling pasture and agricultural fields around the Oxford region, resulting in groundwater recharge later into the year than would be typically witnessed in its absence. Three of these wetlands exist across the proposed project property and into properties impacted by tfie proposed access road. They are all very similar in natre and are each apparent mid-slope of the eastern s.ms vrs~,«y. r .;A~,ei c~~~s~ii~s. rcc