2008-05-15_PERMIT FILE - M2008022

Home Browse Search

391 - 2 Control livestock or exclude as necessary to achieve the intended purpose. See Conservation Practice Standards 528, Prescribed Grazing, and/or 472, Use Exclusion, for applicable criteria. Control harmful plant and animal pests present on the site, or eliminate as necessary, to achieve and maintain the intended purpose. See Conservation Practice Standard 595, Pest Management, for applicable criteria. Additional Criteria to Reduce Excess Amounts of Sediment, Organic Material, Nutrients and Pesticides in Surface Runoff and Reduce Excess Nutrients and Other Chemicals in Shallow Ground Water Flow The minimum buffer width for this purpose is 35 feet, measured horizontally on a line perpendicular to the water body beginning at the normal water line, bank-full elevation, or the top of the bank, as determined locally. Extend the buffer width up to 2 times; when manure and or organic by-product is applied to up gradient areas, when sheet and rill or concentrated flow erosion from the up gradient area is not adequately treated, or where an additional level of protection is needed. Existing, functional underground drains through buffer areas will move pollutants directly to outlets. To filter such pollutants, plug, remove, or replace drains with perforated pipe/end plugs to allow passage and filtration of drain water through the buffer root zone. This can increase saturated conditions in the buffer and adjacent areas, and may limit existing land use and management. Additional, Criteria to Create or Improve Riparian Habitat and Provide a Source of Detritus and Large Woody Debris. Extend the width to meet the minimum habitat requirements of the wildlife or aquatic species of concern as summarized in the Specification. Replace existing functional underground drains (e.g. tile drainage) with non-perforated pipe under the buffer area, to alleviate root intrusion and sustain the drains' functionality. Alternatively, install a regulating valve or structure on the drain to control outflow. NRCS, CO August 2006 Establish plant communities that address the target aquatic and terrestrial wildlife needs, and have multiple values such as habitat, nutrient uptake and shading potential. Additional Criteria to Increase Carbon Storage in Plant Biomass and Soils Increase the width, length and plant density of the Riparian Forest Buffer to maximize carbon storage. Select plants with higher potential rates of carbon sequestration in soils and plant biomass, which are adapted to the site, to assure strong health and vigor. CONSIDERATIONS Avoid tree and shrub species that may be alternate hosts to undesirable pests. Increased species diversity can deter loss of function due to species-specific pests. Allelopathic characteristics of some plants can inhibit establishment of desirable species. The location, layout and density of the buffer should complement natural features, and mimic natural riparian forests. Woody root penetration can plug underground drains and decrease functionality. In these cases, plant and maintain a setback of herbaceous cover over the drain, or install rigid, non-perforated pipe to minimize woody root penetration. Maximize widths, lengths, and connectivity of riparian forest buffers, Species and plant communities that grow biomass quickly will also sequester carbon at a higher rate. The rate of carbon sequestration will increase as riparian plants mature and soil organic matter increases. Conservation practices such as Filter Strips, Vegetative Barriers, and Residue and Tillage management applied to up gradient areas, can decrease potential sediment, nutrient and pesticide loading to the buffer and associated watercourse. FOTG, Section IV Standards and Specifications