2009-10-16_PERMIT FILE - M2009082 (17)

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EXHIBIT J Vegetation Information General The Parson's Property is located in Colorado's Eastern Plains, within the Central Shortgrass Prairie Physiographic Region. The northern portion of the property is occupied by irrigated agricultural land. The Cache La Poudre River and its floodplain flows through the southern portion of the property. Elevation ranges between 4750 to 4710 feet. Habitat types include grasslands (including irrigated cropland and non-irrigated grazing pastures), wetlands and lowland riparian (along the river). Present Vegetation Types The majority of the property is occupied by irrigated cropland used to grow hay, corn and other row crops. Much of the property is maintained in irrigated and dryland pastures and is used for grazing. These areas are dominated by natural and introduced pasture grasses and are occupied by a significant number of invasive and noxious weed species. The Cache La Poudre River and its 100 year floodplain occupy the southern portion of the property. The property contains several wetlands which are under the jurisdiction of US Army Corp of Engineers (COE) through section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Wetland determinations were completed in accordance with standards specified by US Army Corp of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual. An on-site inspection was conducted on June 12, 2007 and August 2, 2007. Terry McKee, US Army COE) visited the site on September 17, 2007 to confirm the wetland boundaries. Eleven wetland sites were identified on the property (Attachment J-3). The Poudre River (wetland site #2) is considered waters of the US and a portion of its adjacent banks and floodplains have been identified as jurisdictional wetlands (wetland sites 3 and 3A). A natural drainage that flows in the Poudre River from the south (wetland site 6) and a manmade drainage that flows into the river from the north (wetland site 7) are also jurisdictional wetlands. A large manmade pond (wetland site 9) and a cattail dominated wetland which has developed in a stock watering area (wetland 4) are all connected by manmade wetland channel (wetland sites 4A and 8) flowing into wetland site 7. Two excavated ponds (wetland sites #1 and 5) are present just north of the river. Wetland Site 5 is not considered jurisdictional because there is no surface connectivity to the river. Wetland Site #1 has not surface water connectivity but is adjacent and has ground water connectivity to the river. All wetland sites including those considered non jurisdictional will not be mined or impacted by the project. Relationship of Present Vegetation to Soil Types The Soil Survey of Weld County Area, Colorado published in 1980 by the USDA, Soil Conservation Service was used to identify soils at the site. The soil series types and their relationship with the vegetation types within the project area include: Irrigated Croplands - Northern portion of the Property: Olney Fine Sandy Loam, 0 -1 percent (map unit 46) - This soil type occurs on the northern portion of the property. Olney Fine Sandy Loams consists of deep, well drained soils that are formed in mixed outwash deposits. A typical surface layer is grayish brown Parsons Mine DRMS / 12 Reclamation Permit Application Page Jl of J3