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

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Wetland site #5 is a small excavated depression just north of Wetland #3. It is dominated by rush, spikerush, bulrush and rush. There is no surface water connection to the river or any ditches. Therefore, this is a non jurisdictional wetland. Wetland site #6 is a moist natural drainage in the southwest portion of the property. It is dominated by reed canary grass, common spikerush and red top. Since it drains directly into the Poudre River, it would be considered a jurisdictional wetland. Wetland site #7 is the major irrigation return channel approximately 10 feet wide draining wetland sites 8 & 9 and the agricultural fields to the north. It is dominated by reed canary grass and cattail along the banks and watercress in the channel. A few Russian Olive trees occur along the channel. This excavated channel connects to the Poudre River and is therefore a jurisdictional wetland. Wetland Site #8 is a man-made drainage flowing from Wetland Site 4. It is dominated by bulrush and spikerush. Cattails and three square bulrush also occupy the site. The hydrology is maintained by constant irrigation return flows from the property to the west. Wetland soils are present. A small amount of fresh dirt/manure fill was observed just inside the wetland boundary on August 6. Since this drainage has a hydrologic connection to the river, it would be considered a jurisdictional wetland. Wetand Site #9 is a man-made pond fed by irrigation water from the north. This site also includes the ditches above and below the pond. The shoreline has a very narrow band of wetland species including salt grass and redtop. The outlet channel, dominated by cattail, bulrush and spikerush confluences with wetland site #8 and flows to form the irrigation return channel wetland site 7. This would also be considered a jurisdictional wetland due to its connectivity to the Poudre River. Site #10 is a man-made irrigation ditch on the east-central portion of the property. The banks are comprised of wetland species including bulrush, spikerush and reed canary grass. This ditch would be considered jurisdictional if it has a hydrologic connection to the river. THREATENED AND ENDANGERED PLANT SPECIES Two species of threatened or endangered species that may occur in the project area are Utes Ladies Tresses Orchid (Spiranthes diluWalis) and Colorado Butterfly Plant (Gaura neomexicana coloradensis). These species are known to occur in wetlands in Northern Colorado. Neither species was observed in the project area. Because of the historic use of the property, it is unlikely that either of these species occurs within the project area. 6