Laserfiche WebLink
• TAB 10 <br />VEGETATION <br />Introduction <br />Vegetation resources in the loadout facility end rail loop/spur reflect regional native <br />vegetation types, intensive agricultural use and various reseeded disturbance areas. Clay <br />soils derived from shales end alkaline soils associated with the Dry Creek drainage have <br />resulted in shrub dominated native plant communities both in upland and lowland areas. The <br />species in these communities are adapted to saline/alkaline conditions. Agricultural use, <br />both current and past, has resulted in signif itant changes to the potential native <br />vegetation. In the rail loop portion of [he permit area, this had included dryland <br />cropping of small grains. These areas were reseeded prior to construction of the loadout <br />end rail loop. Dryland cropping is currently practiced adjacent to the rail spur in the <br />eastern portion of section 10 (R88Y T6N). Prior to construction of the rail spur, this <br />cropland area extended west to the county road. The improved pasture areas north of the <br />Welker Ditch are influenced by subirrigetion end have also been irrigated. These areas ere <br />• located on alluvium associated with the Yampa River. <br />Survey Methods <br /> <br />A reconnaissance ground survey was conducted in late October, by qualified vegetation <br />specialists, to document existing vegetation communities and map them in color aerial <br />photography. The individual plant communities or other types present in the permit area <br />are shown on Exhibit 10-1 end are described below. The vegetation map end description <br />accurately represent current conditions resulting from construction of the loadout. <br />Additional significant disturbance in the permit area is not anticipated. A 1" = 400 <br />scale aerial photograph showing regional landform, land use, and plan[ community <br />characteristics relative to [he permit area is included in Tab 4 as Exhibit 4-1. <br />Vegetation Tvoes <br /> IPS - Improved Pasture (Subirricated/Irriaated l. This 4.7 acre graminoid dominated type <br /> <br /> occurs north of the Walker irrigation ditch end continues north to the Denver and Rio <br /> Grande Western main line. The presence of <br />indi <br />t <br />th <br />t th <br />h <br />b <br />d i irrigation delivery end drainage ditches <br />h <br /> co <br />es <br />a <br />ese areas <br />ave <br />een manage <br />n t <br />e past. Only the ditches north of <br /> 1 <br />