2012-12-13_PERMIT FILE - M2012050 (6)

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VEGETATION INFORMATION EXHIBIT J Existing Plant Communities As previously explained and as shown on Map C -1, the pre -mine communities consist of the following areas within the permit area: 1) The vast majority of the 3 mining pits are irrigated fields which get irrigation water from the Grand Valley Drainage District. This area is approximately 73.1 acres. See Picture 1. This picture (and all others) was taken in November of 2012. Alfalfa and corn have been the historic crops. The fields employ flood irrigation through furrow ditches originating from a water pipe on the north edge of the permit area. 2) The Oberding Drain and the 33 Road Drain are deep trenches that provide avenues for return irrigation water to get back to the Colorado River. These areas are approximately 1.3 acres for the Oberding Drain and 4.1 acres for the 33 Road Drain. These areas include narrow dirt roads on both sides of the Drain for maintenance of the trenches. Most of the ditch slopes are too steep to have good vegetation but the fringes of the bottom of the ditches have some smooth brome and wheatgrass vegetation, although it is very minor. The Oberding Drain has a minor narrow area of cattails, which is manmade and not under the jurisdiction of the USACOE. See Picture 2, which shows the location where the two ditches meet. 3) A small trailer is located on the western edge of the pit area east of D 1 /4 Road and another residence was purchased by United in the northeast portion of the permit area, which will become part of the excavated pit area. These areas total to approximately 0.9 acres. See Picture 3 showing the residence in the northeast corner together with a line of trees on the west border. 4) The overburden storage area is approximately 6.0 acres, located south of the 33 Road Drain. See Picture 4. 5) An additional 3.8 acres consists of the overhead powerline easement near the 33 Road Drain and minor buffer areas and small easements around the permit edges. See Picture 5. The total of these areas are 89.2 acres, which is the total permit area. Otter Creek Pit December 12 J -