2010-05-07_PERMIT FILE - C2009087A (4)

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• CROPLAND — HAY PRODUCTION In addition to lands used for production of small grains, some cultivated lands are presently planted to alfalfa for the production of hay. These areas are mostly on heavy- textured residual soils and typically support a single cutting per year. CROPLAND - SMALL GRAINS This portion of Routt County has been used for the cultivation of small grains for many decades. Although some fields have been retired to grass production (see above), many continue to be actively used. Small grain crops of mostly wheat are grown in a two -year rotation. MESIC DRAINAGE / RIPARIAN (Photographs 41, 46, 59 -66) In these drainage bottom sites, virtually all growth factors for herbaceous species are favorable -- high moisture, low woody plant competition (except in the narrowest woody draws), high nutrients from livestock congregation, and deep soils of moderate texture. Consequently, herbaceous production levels observed are typically very high. Within the boundaries of the Mesic Drainage mapping unit, some areas that are perennially wetted exist, especially along channels where water frequently flows. These areas are likely to meet regulatory criteria as wetlands. The less • permanently wetted adjacent areas in these drainages that are likely not to meet technical criteria as wetlands are overall much more extensive in the Mesic Drainage type than wetlands. Wetlands occurring in the Mesic Drainage vegetation type are supported by seeps or narrow bands along narrow drainage channels. Seep wetland may be dominated by Nebraska sedge (Carex nebrascensis), smallwing sedge (Carex microptera), beaked sedge (Carex utriculata), Tracy rush (Juncus tracy), and redtop (Agrostis gigantea). Scattered around moist areas tall manna grass (Glyceria elata) common spikerush (Eleocharis palustris), slender wheatgrass, meadow barley, Agassiz bluegrass, and Baltic rush (Juncus arcticus ssp. ater), may be found. There are also locally significant amounts of introduced perennial grasses including timothy, redtop, and smooth brome Quackgrass (Elytrigia repens), a restricted noxious weed in Colorado, can be present. Native perennial forbs are represented with good cover of western yarrow, Pacific aster, nettleleaf giant- hyssop (Agastache urticifolia), and showy fleabane (Erigeron speciosus). Other native perennial forb species that may be encountered include, cutleaf coneflower, western yarrow, bracted aster (Aster foliaceous), Hall willowherb (Epilobium halleanum), Richardson geranium (Geranium richardsonii), bigleaf avens (Geum macrophyllum),), few - flowered false Solomon's seal (Maianthemum stellatum), fieldmint (Mentha arvensis), common yampa (Perideridia gairdneri ssp. borealis), Gmelin crowfoot (Ranunculus • 19