2012-03-07_PERMIT FILE - C2010088 (19)

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2.0 BASELINE INFORMATION 2.1 DESCRIPTION OF HABITAT AND ECOSYSTEM 2.1.1 Topography and Hydrology The project area lies approximately 2.5 miles west of Fruita, Colorado. The site is located in generally flat terrain approximately 0.5 miles north of the Colorado River in the Grand Valley of westcentral Colorado. Elevation at the site is approximately 4,470 ft. Reed Wash, a natural drainage, meanders from north to south and bisects the project area. Reed Wash carries significant water flows, mainly formed by irrigation returns from agricultural farms north of the project area. Reed Wash averages about 20 -25 ft wide with depths up to 6 -8 ft. Its confluence with the Colorado River is directly south of the project area approximately 0.2 miles. On the west side of the proposed rail spur, Loma Drain enters the project area from the northwest. In this area, irrigation return flows have created a small area with wetland characteristics that is dominated by inland saltgrass. Water flows in Loma Drain are present for a large portion of the year and the drainage would be considered a perennial stream by the Corps of Engineers. Upland areas east and west of Reed Wash are generally flat with little to no relief. Small ephemeral side drainages on the property flow into Reed Wash and typically run for less than 100 yds. East of Reed Wash the terrain is dry; west of Reed Wash, in addition to the dry uplands, there are three small wetlands (two along Loma Drain side channels) including Loma Drain that are created by irrigation return flows (Figure 1 and Photo 3). 2.1.2 Soils Soils are generally alluvial, derived from sandstone and shale. Four soil types are found on the property. • Skumpah silt loam found in the greasewood uplands east and west of Reed Wash. • Cojam loam occurs in the irrigation return wetlands west of Reed Wash. • Sagers silty clay loam is in the loadout/land farm area. • Ustifluvents loam and clay loam occur in the Reed Wash floodplain. 2.1.3 Vegetation The project area is located in a dry, cold desert life zone that is in that portion of westcentral Colorado that is classified as semi -desert shrublands. Natural vegetation communities within the project area are predominantly greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) shrublands. Overstory shrublands are almost exclusively greasewood with sparse understory vegetation. Understory plants are mainly Gray Molly (Kochia americana), cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), and annual wheatgrass (Eremopyrun triticeum). Much of the soil between greasewood shrubs is bare ground. Reed Wash's riparian vegetation includes native and introduced, non - native species. Tamarisk is the dominant overstory vegetation type and occurs in dense thickets that parallel the channel of Reed Wash (cover photo and Photos 1 and 2). Other plant species include reed canarygrass 3