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perimeters from uplands. Soil textures at the sampling locations were highly variable in both the reclaimed and native <br />areas. <br />W the reclaimed areas, due to the reconstructed drainages and large boulder used to create drainages, it was difficult to dig <br />deeper than a few inches (Transect 7, Pit A, Photograph 21). In these situations, however, indicators of hydric soil were <br />evident just below the soil surface — such as a layer of muck at least 1 cm thick (Hydric Soil Indicator A9, LRR D) with <br />appropriate chroma and value. Indicators of hydrology and vegetation were present in these areas. <br />Hydrology <br />Inasmuch as Little Grassy Creek is located in low terrain that may potentially collect and convey surface waters off <br />adjacent slopes, its immediate environs have the potential to support wetland hydrology. The present tendency of the <br />creek to maintain perennial flow suggests the presence of subsurface water and hence the potential for saturated <br />conditions at shallow depth in the soils. Direct observations in late summer 2009 did not include flooding or ponding. <br />Indicators of wetland hydrology that were observed in support of the presence of wetland hydrology included the <br />presence of oxidized rhizospheres along living roots and other redoxomorphic features, shallow aquitards, drainage <br />patterns, the presence of salt crusts, surface soil cracks and thin muck surfaces. <br />• <br />Based on data from the Hayden, Colorado NOAA Station, precipitation in the region averages16.77 inches annually, with <br />average amounts of between 1 to 2 inches per month distributed evenly throughout the year (WRCC, 2009). Precipitation <br />in the region for the six months preceding delineation in August/September 2009 was overall above average, although <br />precipitation for the months of July and August 2009 was 75% and 25% below average, 0.5 and 1.01 inches, respectively <br />(WRCC, 2009). The previous winter (2008/2009) had average precipitation. However, the winter previous to that <br />(2007/2008) had exceptionally high precipitation, mostly in the form of snow. Base flow observed during the wetland <br />delineation may have been enhanced by the above average 2007 -2008 winter precipitation. <br />DELINEATED WETLANDS <br />Wetlands delineated within the Study Area totaled approximately 24.6 acres. Of this total, 5.7 acres were present on <br />reclaimed land, having regenerated after drainages present prior to mining were replaced. The amount to be impacted by <br />proposed coal mining activities is 3.0 acres. <br />• <br />