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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.10 Vegetation informationDivision of Reclamation Mining & Safely Permit Application RTZ INDUSTRIAL SAND & GRAVEL MINING OPERATION GARFIELD COUNTY, COLORADO 6.4.9 EXHIBIT J — Vegetation Information Rangeland Productivity and Plant Composition In areas that have similar cllmate and topography, differences in the kind and amount of rangeland or forest understory vegetation are closely related to the kind of soil- Effective management is based on the relationship between the soils and vegetation and water. This table shows, for each soil that supports vegetation suitable for grazing, the ecological site; the total annual production of vegetation in favorable. normal, and unfavorable years; the characteristic vegetation; and the average percentage of each species. An explanation of the column headings in the table follows. An "ecological site" is the product of all the environmental factors responsible for its development. It has characteristic soils that have developed over time throughout the soil development process; a characteristic hydrology, particularly infiltration and runoff that has developed overtime: and a characteristic plant community (kind and amount of vegetation), The hydrology of the site is influenced by development of the soil and plant community. The vegetation, soils, and hydrology are all interrelated. Each is influenced by the others and influences the development of the others. The plant community on an ecological site is typified by an association of species that differs from that of other ecological sites in the kind andlor proportion of species or in total production. Descriptions of ecological sites are provided in the Fleld Office Technical Guide, which is available in local offices of the Natural Resources Conservation Servioe (NRCS). "Total dry- weight production" is the amount of vegetation that can be expected to grow annually in a well managed area that is supporting the potential natural plant community- It includes all vegetation, whether or not it is palatable to grazing animals. It includes the current year's growth of leaves, twigs, and fruits of woody plants. It does not include the increase in stem diameter of trees and shrubs. It is expressed in pounds per acre of air -dry vegetation for favorable, normal, and unfavorable years. In a favorable year, the amount and distribution of precipitabon and the temperatures make growing conditions substantially better than average. In a normal year, growing conditions are about average- In an unfavorable year, growing conditions are well below average, generally because of low available soil moisture. Yields are adjusted to a common percent of air -dry moisture content. "Characteristic vegetation" (the grasses, (orbs, and shrubs that make up most of the potential natural plant community on each soil) is listed by common name. Under "rangeland composition." the expected percentage of the total annual production is given for each species making up the characteristic vegetation. The amount that can be used as forage depends on the kinds of grazing animals and on the grazing season. Range management requires knowledge of the kinds of soil and of the potential natural plant community. It aIsa requires an evaluation of the present range similarity index and rangeland trend- Range similarity index is delermined by comparing the present plant community with the potential natural plant community on a particular rangeland ecological site. The more closely the existing community resembles the potential community, the higher the range simiiarity index. Rangeland trend is defined as the direction of change in an existing plant community relative to the potential natural plant community. Further information about the range similarity index and rangeland trend is available in the "National Range and Pasture Handbook," which is available in local offices of NRCS or on the Internet. The objective in range management is to control grazing so that the plants growing on a site are about the same in kind and amount as the potential natural plant community for that site. Such management generally results in the optimum production of vegetation, control of undesirable brush species, conservation of water, and control of erosion. Sometimes, however, an area with a range similarity index somewhat below the potential meets grazing needs, provides wildlife habitat, and protects soil and water resources. Reference: United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. National range and pasture handbook. {http :tiwww.gl5.n res. usda.govo USDA Natural Resources �r t;Uh�� Tabular Data Version: 3 ICQt I'Ya Tabular Data Version Date: 01/10/2007 -his report shows onty the mayor sails in each rnap snit. Others may emst. Page 2 of 2 Rangeland Productivity and Plant Composition Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Lb/Ac Lb/Ac Lb/Ac 3: Arvada Salt Fiats 900 650 500 Alkali saeaton Inland saitgrass Westem wheatgrass Bottlebrush squirrel tail Gard net's saltbush Greasewood Winterfat 72: Wann Salt Meadow 2,500 2,000 1,500 Alkali sacaton Baltic rush Saltgrass Sedge Skunkbush sumac Truckee rabbitbrush Pct 10 10 10 5 5 5 5 35 10 10 10 10 10 UD A Natural Resources This sport snows only the major snits in each map unit. Others may ex+st. Tabular data Version: 3 Comervadon SerOce Tabular 0 ata Version date: 01/10/2007 Page 1 of 2 Total dry- weight production Map symbol Ecological site Characteristic vegetati on Rangeland and soil name Favorable Normal Unfavorable composition year year year Lb/Ac Lb/Ac Lb/Ac 3: Arvada Salt Fiats 900 650 500 Alkali saeaton Inland saitgrass Westem wheatgrass Bottlebrush squirrel tail Gard net's saltbush Greasewood Winterfat 72: Wann Salt Meadow 2,500 2,000 1,500 Alkali sacaton Baltic rush Saltgrass Sedge Skunkbush sumac Truckee rabbitbrush Pct 10 10 10 5 5 5 5 35 10 10 10 10 10 UD A Natural Resources This sport snows only the major snits in each map unit. Others may ex+st. Tabular data Version: 3 Comervadon SerOce Tabular 0 ata Version date: 01/10/2007 Page 1 of 2 Forestland Planting and Harvesting This table can help forestland owners or massagers plan the use of soils for wood crops. Interpretive ratings are given for the soils according to the limitations that affect planting and harvesting on forestiand. The ratings are both verbal and numerical. Rating class terms indicate the degree to which the soils are suited to a specified aspect of forestiand management. "Well suited" indicates that the sail has features that are favorable for the specified management aspect and has no limitations. Good performance can be expected, and little or no maintenance is needed. "Moderately suited" indicates that the soil has features that are moderately favorable for the specified management aspect. One or more soil properties are less than desirable, and fair performance can be expected. Some maintenance is needed. "Poorly suited" indicates that the soil has one or more properties that are unfavorable for the specified management aspect. Overcoming the unfavorable properties requires special design, extra maintenance, and costly alteralion. "Unsuited" indicates that the expected performance of the soil js unacceptable for the specified management aspect or that extreme measures are needed to overcome the undesirable soil properties. Numerica€ ratings In the table indicate the severity of individual limitations. The ratings are shown as decimal fractions ranging from 0.01 to 1 "DO. They indicate gradations between the point at which a soil feature has the greatest negative Impact on the specified aspect of forestiand management (f.i3R) and the point at which the soil feature is not a €imitation (t]U). The paragraphs that follow indicate the soil properties considered in rating the soils. Mare detailed infofmation about the criteria used In the ratings is available in the "Natlonal Farestfy Manual," which is available in local offices of the Na lure I Resources Conservation Servioe or on the Internet. Ratings in the cotumns "suitability for hand planting" and "suitability for mechanical planting" are based on slope, depth to a restrictive layer, content of sand, plasticity index, rock fragments on or below the surface, depth to a water table, and pending. The sails are described as well suited, moderately suited, poorly suited, or unsuited to These methods of planting. It is assumed that necessary site preparation is completed before seedlings are planted. Ratings in the column "suIlability for use of harvesting equipment^ are based on slope, rock fragments on the surface, plasticity index, content of sand, the Unifted ofassift cat ion, depth to a water table, and ponding. The sails are described as well suited, moderately suited, ar poOrly suited to this use. Reference: United Stales Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Natlonal forestry manual. (hitp:ll soils. usda.g6vltechnicallnfrnanuall) USDANatural Resources Tina repon shows oNy the major soils in each map unit. others may exist. Tabular Data Version: 3 Conservation Service Tabular Data Version dale: 01110/2007 Page 2 of 2 Forestiand Planting and Harvesting Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counlies [The information in this table Indicates the dominant soil condition but does not eliminate the need for onsite investigation. The numbers in the value columns range from 6.09 to 1.00. The larger the value, the greater the potential limitation. The table shows only the top five limitations for any given soil. the soil may have additional limitations] 3: Arvada 80 Moderately suited Stickiness; high plasticity index 72: Wann 95 Well suited Moderately suited 0.50 Stickiness; high plasticity index Well suited Moderately suited 0.50 Low strength 0.50 Well suited USDANatural Resources This report stows only the major soi:s in earn map unit. Others may axisL Tabular Data Version: 3 Conservation Service Tabular Data Version Dale: 01110/2007 Page 1 of 2 Pct- Suitability for hand planting Suitability for mechanical Suitability for use of harvesting Map symbol of planting equipment and sail name map unit Rating class and Value Rating class and Value Rating class and Value limiting features fimiling features limiting features 3: Arvada 80 Moderately suited Stickiness; high plasticity index 72: Wann 95 Well suited Moderately suited 0.50 Stickiness; high plasticity index Well suited Moderately suited 0.50 Low strength 0.50 Well suited USDANatural Resources This report stows only the major soi:s in earn map unit. Others may axisL Tabular Data Version: 3 Conservation Service Tabular Data Version Dale: 01110/2007 Page 1 of 2 Irrigated and Nonirrigated Yields by Map Unfit The average yields per acre that can be expected of the principal craps under a high level of management are shown in this table. In any given year, yields may be higher or lower than those Indicated in the table because of variations in rainfall and other climatic factors. The yields are based mainly on the experience and records of farmers, conservationists, and extension agents. Available yield data from nearby counties and results of field trials and demonstrations also are considered. The management needed to obtain the indicated yields of the various crops depends on the kind of soil and the crop. Management can include drainage, erosion control, and protection from flooding; the proper planting and seeding rates; suitable high - yielding crop varieties; appropriate and timely tillage; control of weeds, plant diseases, and harmful insects; favorable soil reaction and optimum levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace elements for each crop; effective use of crop residue, barnyard manure, and green manure crops; and harvesting that ensures the smallest possible loss, If yields of irrigated crops are given, it is assumed that the irrigation system is adapted to the soils and to the crops grown, that good- quality irrigation water Is uniformly applied as needed, and that tillage is kept to a minimum. Pasture yields are expressed in terms of animal unit months. An animal unit month (AUNT) is the amount of forage required by one mature cow of approximately 1,000 pounds weight, with orwithout a calf, for 1 month. The estimated yields reflect the productive capacity of each soil for each of the principal crops. Yields are likely to Increase as new production technology is developed. The prod uclivity of a given soli compared with that of other soils, however, Is not like €y to change. Crops other than those shown in the table are grown in the survey area, but estimated yields are not listed because the acreage of such crops is small. The local office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service or of the Cooperative Extension Service can provide information about the management and productivity of the soils for those crops. The land capahlIIty classification of map units in the survey area Is shown in this table. This classification shows. In a general way, the suIlability of soils for most kinds of field crops (United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 1981). Crops that f eq ul re -special management are excluded. The soils are grouped according to their limitations for Geld crops, the risk of damage if they are used for crops, and the way they respond to management. The criteria used in grouping the soils do not include major and generally expensive Iandfonnng that would change slope, depth, or other characteristics of the soils, nor do they include possible but unlikely major reclamation projects. Capability classification is not a subs tkute for in terp retal ions designed to show suitabi €ity and €imitations of groups of soils for rangeland, for forestland, or for engineering purposes. in the capability system, soils are generally grouped at three levels- •capability class, subclass, and unit. "Capability classes," the broadest groups, are designated by the numbers 1 through 8. The numbers indicate progressively greater limitations and narrower choices for practical use. The classes are defined as follows.- Class 1 soils have slight limitations that restrict their use. Class 2 soils have moderate limitations that restrict the choice of plants or that require moderate conservation practices. Class 3 soils have severe limitations that restrict the choice of plants or that require special conservation practices, or both. Class 4 soils have very severe IimilatIons that restrict the choice of plants or that require very careful management, or both. Class 5 soils are subject to lilt Ie or no erosion but have other limitations, impractical to remove, that restrict their use mainly to pasture, rangeland, forestland, or wildlife habitat. Class 6 setts have severe limitations that make them genera €ly unsuitable for cultivation and that restrict their use meinly to pasture, rangeland, forestland, or wildlife habitat. Class 7 soils have very severe Iimilatlons that make them unsuitable for cultivation and that restrict their use mainly to grazing, forestland, or wildlife habitat. Class 8 soils and miscellaneous areas have limitations that preclude commercial plant production and that restrict their use to recreational purposes, w ldlife habitat, watershed, or esthetic purposes. "Capability subclasses" are soil groups within one class. They are designated by adding a small letter, "e," 'W," "s," or "c;' to the class numeral, for example, 2e. The letter "e" shows that the main hazard is the risk of erosion unless close- growing plant cover is maintained; W4 shows that water in or on the soil interferes with plan! growth or cultivation (in some soils the watness can be partly corrected by artificial drainage)i; "s" shows that the soil is limited mainly because It is shallow, droughly, or stony; and "c," used in only some parts of the United States, shows that the chief limitation Is climate that is very cold or very dry. In Blass 4 there are no subclasses because the soils of this class have few lim Hat Ions. Class 5 contains only the subclasses indicated by "w," "s," Or "c" because the soils in class 5 are subject to IIWe or no erasion. They have other limitations that restrict their use to pasture, rangeland, forestland, wildlife habitat, or recreation. "Capability units" are soil groups within a subclass. The soils in a capability unit are enough alike to be suited to the same crops and pasture plants, to require s €milar management, and to have similar productivity. Capability units are generally designated by adding an Arabic numeral to the subclass symbol, for example, 2a-4 and 3e -6. These units are not given in all soil surveys. Reference: USDANAtural Resources This report shovsarly the major soils in paa map wft Othefs Fray exist. �,�j F Tabular Data Version: 3 Conservation Service Tabular Data Version Date: 0 111 012 0 07 Page 2 of 3 Irrigated and Nonirrigated Yields by Map Unit Rifle Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa Counties Map symbol Land capability Alfalfa hay Wheat and soil name N I N I N t Tons Tons Bu Su 3: ... 3.00 40 Arvada 7s 7s 72: 3.50 - -- Wann 6W 4W USDANaturail Resources This reporl shows only the me or sous in each �R uml. Offifxs may exist. Tabular Data Version: 3 C.onservotlon Serylee Tabular Data Version Date 01/10/2007 Page t of 3