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Native primary species include Bouteloua gracilis, Bromus tectorum and Convolvulus,Wheatgrasses, Aster, Helianthus. Kochia and Yucca. Shrubby species such as Chrysothamus, Oakbrush and Artemi- sia are also scattered throughout the project zone making less than 20% of the plant life. Ribses • aureum, Cerocarpus montana, symphoriocarpos, Ponderosa and Gambel Oak dominate a drainage on the north end of the project area and is likely the least disturbed portion of the project zone. The latter plant community tends to be the dominant species throughout the Douglas County area but is not a strong community within the proposed project zone. Threatened and Endangered ies Field surveys and literature searches indicated no known threatened or endangered species. Past ground disturbances, weed control programs as well as grazing have altered the environment to the extent that the area is inhospitable to many fragile native, threatened and endangered species. Species diversity In addition to a complete plant and animal field survey, three intensive, 200m X 200m survey zones were established according to aspect, altitude, plant density, topographic features and soil patterns, in order to establish plant and animal species diversity. Recreation Due to the fact current land use does not include recreation and the proposed project zone is on private land, there will be no impact on public recreational opportunities. Floodplains and wetlands Plum Creek, a drainage within the Platte River basin, is the closest river system to the project area. It is • approximately 1.5 miles from the proposed facility. Stream flows of Plum Creek within the October 1999 - October 2000 water year ranged from a high of 96.0 cubic feet per second on May 9, 2000 to a low of 1.2 cubic feet per second on September 10, 2000. Low flows during June, July and August are due to limited precipitation and irrigation. Peak flows in (cubic feet per second -cfs) from 1991 -1999 were as follows. Date Flow 8 /4 / 1991 110 cfs 4 / 17/ 1992 203 cfs 4 /24/ 1993 60 cfs 4 /25! 1994 125 cfs 6 /28/ 1995 808 cfs 5 /26/ 1996 131 cfs 8 /18/ 1997 261 cfs 5 /5/ 1998 550 cfs Because no floodplains exist within the project area, no potential of river floods is present in the azea. The drainages included in the project area drain less than 500 acres. Water shed during heavy rains could occur in the project zone. Proper erosion and runoff control based on federal and state regula- tions and recommendations will aid in avoiding any problems due to runoff through the project site. . A July 2000 field survey discovered no wetlands within the project zone. No spring or seeps in the area were evident.