Laserfiche WebLink
=Walsh <br />Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC <br />3.7.2 Sensitive Plant Species <br />The proposed coal lease area was surveyed for sensitive plant species in conjunction with <br />the vegetation reconnaissance (S. Viert, Cedar Creek Associates, Inc., personal <br />communication). Sensitive plant species investigations will occur with vegetation <br />surveys. No sensitive plant species have been identified from field surveys. <br />In addition to the fieldwork, The Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CHNP) database <br />on "rare and imperiled" species was reviewed for this assessment <br />(http: / /www.cnhp.colostate.edu) to identify sensitive plant species found in Moffat <br />County. No sensitive plant species were identified from the CHNP review. <br />3.7.3 Riparian <br />The proposed coal lease area does not include perennial streams with well - developed <br />floodplains, and with continuous riparian plant communities (WMC 2005). Floodplains <br />are essentially non - existent in the proposed lease area. Along the small and often <br />intermittent stream channels typical of the area, localized and discontinuous development <br />of shrubby and herbaceous wet areas occurs. These areas are variably capable of <br />absorbing high flow and maintaining groundwater storage. Clumps of box -elder <br />(Negundo aceroides) and willow (Salix sp.) plants occur in some areas. <br />3.7.4 Wetlands <br />Sites that are considered to be wetlands based on vegetation, soils, and hydrologic <br />characteristics (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1987; Reed 1986) occur on the proposed <br />lease area (Dames and Moore 1995). Wetlands meeting jurisdictional criteria include <br />small marshes associated with seeps and springs, riparian zones that border nearly all <br />surface and near - surface flows in the drainages. Small marshes ; occur in many of the <br />potential AVF areas where water flow is impeded and forced to near surface. Marshes <br />are characterized by cattail (Typha latiflia), spike rush (Eleocharis palustris), bulrush <br />(Scirpus pallidus), Baltic rush (Juncus balticus), sedges (Carex sp.) and tufted hairgrass <br />(Deschampsia despitosa). Wetlands associated with riparian areas are characterized with <br />box -elder and willows. Stock ponds may or may not meet jurisdictional criteria, <br />depending on the presence of wetland vegetation because livestock grazing and trampling <br />may preclude wetland plant establishment. Jurisdictional and non jurisdictional wetland <br />delineations with the proposed lease area (a finding report is in progress) will be included <br />in the CCDMG permit application. <br />3.7.5 Invasive, Nonnative Plants <br />Invasive, nonnative plants occur on the proposed lease area and they include hound's <br />tongue (Cynoglossum officinale), whitetop (Cardaria sp.), Canada thistle (Breea <br />arvensis), and cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). There is a potential for noxious weeds such <br />as Dalmatian toadflax (Linaria dalmatica), knapweeds (Acosta sp.), and others to exist <br />and spread in the proposed lease area. <br />P..PROJECIS Colt', RS' EA Filial 1 -EA CouImno8 OI ■h an: <br />34 <br />