PERMFILE120474 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

3.2.1.2 Riverine Oxbow Wetlands (2) Intermittently Flooded, Streambed, Palustrine Wetlands Four (4) of these wetlands were present along the Florida River cortidor. One such feature is located on the southern end of the property and is characteristic of an N river Flood passage for bankfull flows. The floor is similar to the adjacent river bed with large cobbles. Sandy bars are more prevalent to the south of the area where extended backwater ponding occurs in the channel during lower flows. Three similar areas are near the northern end of the property and also function in flood stage flows and lower stage water storage. The northernmost feature is the larges of the four and presents non-vegetated areas of previous backwater ponding area. Substrate in the flow channels of the azeas aze also cobbly and similar to those in the adjacent rivet course. Sandy bars are present where water storage occurs and reduced flow-through velocities exist for extended periods. The sandy areas present organic streaking approximately 4 inches below the surface, suggesting, ponding of these areas occurs on a regular basis. Cobble substrate is approximately 10 inches below the sandy matrix and such characteristics suggest waters in these areas quickly recharge to the river upon stage flow reduction. Vegetation within these areas consists of smartweed, Colorado rnsh, American three-square, buhvsh, sedge species, sand bar willow, pond-weed, mare's tail (Hipparis vulgaris), red-top, and Iris. Upland islands exist between the features and the oxbow areas and exhibit mesic and xeric species such asred-top, red clover, sand bar willow, smooth brome, meadow fescue, arctic msh, Iris, and Kentucky blue-grass. These areas have high function within the geomorphic landscape for flood storage, groundwater dischazge to the river, as well as wildlife habitat in the ponded areas. 3.2.1.3 Streamside Depressional Wetlands (3) Saturated, Emergent Palustrine Wetland These areas are riparian edge depressions along the perennial Pine Gulch, atop of the western terrace ridge. Limited analysis of these areas was performed as no impacts are yet planned for this azea. Soils of the areas are clay loams and silty clay barns with a relatively deep (3-4") organic layer. Deep red/yellow to yellow mottling is present throughout the horizons to 20 inches. Vegetation within these areas is dense sedge species (Carex stipata, C lanuginosa), smartweed, field mint, red-top, and foxtail barley. These areas function highly in ground water storage and discharge to the stream and well as wildlife habitat along the water course-particularly for waterfowl species. 3.2.2 Mapping After gathering data on soils, hydrology, and vegetation for wetland determination, a Garmin GPS unit was used to enter data points along the determined boundaries (t ]-6 ft.; non-repeatable). The data was rhea used in a GIS program to overlay the vector coverage on to May 2003 color digital orthophotos (Appendix A; Figures 2 & 3). The GIS progmm was also used to obtain acreage estimates of each wetland by converting the point data to polygon format. Polygon lines created from point data were also "smoothed" to match the in situ boundary within the geospatial analysis program. Total acreage for the Intermittently Flooded, Streambed, Palustrine Wetland and Sanuated, Emergent Palustrine Wetland areas is 1.64 Acres, and the Semi-Permanently Flooded, Emergent Palustrine Wetland (Isolated) areas are 0.49 Acres in cumulative size. 4.0 PROJECT IMPACTS 4.1 PROJECT IMPACTS 4.1.1 Access - The 60 foot wide access road easement into the proposed project area will cross 0.0477 acres of the mid- projectslope seep at its beginning near mid-slope (Appendix A; Figures 3 & 3a). m2005 Prymap's Fmvomvmial Cwsuping, LLC