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HomeMy WebLinkAboutC20-252 Ridgway West Baseline BASELINE SUPPLEMENTAL DOCUMENTATION REPORT Ridgway West Parcel Eagle County, Colorado Prepared For Eagle County Open Space 500 Broadway | PO Box 850 Eagle, Colorado 81631 (970)328-8698 Prepared By Rare Earth Science, LLC 38696 Fruitland Mesa Road Crawford, Colorado 81415 (970)527-8445 June 22, 2020 DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 C20-252 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 i Rare Earth Science, LLC TABLE OF CONTENTS ATTESTATION .......................................................................................................................... iii PREPARER CERTIFICATION STATEMENT ............................................................................. iv CONTACTS & BASIC INFORMATION SUMMARY .................................................................... v 1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Methods .................................................................................................................. 2 1.2 Property & Setting Description ................................................................................ 3 1.3 Conservation Context .............................................................................................. 3 1.4 Directions to the Property ........................................................................................ 4 1.5 Summary of the Property’s Conservation Values .................................................... 4 2 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROPERTY ..................................................... 6 2.1 Improvements & Features ....................................................................................... 6 2.2 Geology, Topography, & Soils ................................................................................. 8 2.3 Surface Hydrology ................................................................................................... 9 2.4 Vegetation ..............................................................................................................10 3 LAND USE & MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ......................................................................10 3.1 Ranching ................................................................................................................11 3.2 Weeds & Weed Management .................................................................................11 3.3 Recreation & Public Access ...................................................................................11 3.4 Minerals Management ............................................................................................11 3.5 Waste Management ...............................................................................................11 3.6 Impervious Surfaces...............................................................................................11 4 PUBLIC RECREATION OR EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES ............................................12 5 RELATIVELY NATURAL HABITAT....................................................................................12 5.1 Habitat for Special Status Species .........................................................................12 5.2 Big Game Habitat ...................................................................................................14 5.3 Habitat for Other Wildlife ........................................................................................15 6 OPEN SPACE ...................................................................................................................16 6.1 Scenic Characteristics ............................................................................................16 6.2 Agricultural Resources ...........................................................................................17 6.3 Significant Public Benefit ........................................................................................17 6.4 Consistency with Government Policy .....................................................................17 7 REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................20 TABLES Table 1. Summary of Improvements and Features on the Ridgway West Parcel ....................... 6 FIGURES (Following Main Text) 1.Conservation Context & Regional Locator Maps 2.Topographic Map 3.Photopoint Locations Key 3a. Photopoint Locations – Building Area Detail 4. Improvements & Features 4a. Improvements & Features – Building Area Detail 5.Geologic Map 6.Soils Map 7.Vegetation Communities 8. Selected Bird Species Ranges 9.Elk & Mule Deer Ranges DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 ii Rare Earth Science, LLC DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHS (Following Figures) ATTACHMENT A. DHM Design Ecological Site Analysis DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 iii Rare Earth Science, LLC ATTESTATION RIDGWAY WEST PARCEL EAGLE COUNTY, COLORADO In compliance with Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code [§1.170A-14(g)(5)], and to the best of my knowledge, this Baseline Documentation Report, including text, maps, and photographs, is an accurate representation of the Ridgway West Parcel at the time of the conveyance of the conservation easement. The conservation values include recreation or education opportunities for the public, relatively natural habitat, and scenic and agricultural open space. ___________________________________________ _______________ County of Eagle, State of Colorado, GRANTOR Date By and Through its Board of County Commissioners Kathy Chandler-Henry, Chair ___________________________________ _______________ Eagle Valley Land Trust, GRANTEE Date Jessica Foulis, Executive Director DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 7/1/2020 7/14/2020 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 iv Rare Earth Science, LLC PREPARER CERTIFICATION STATEMENT RIDGWAY WEST PARCEL EAGLE COUNTY, COLORADO I, the undersigned, prepared this Baseline Documentation Report in accordance with Treas. Reg. 1. 170A-14(g)(5)(i)(D). To the best of my knowledge, this Baseline Documentation Report, including text, maps, and photographs, is a true and correct representation of the property at the date of my signature below. I certify that I am a qualified provider of conservation easement due diligence. As principal biologist at Rare Earth Science, I have personally prepared baseline documentation reports for more than 200 conservation easement projects in Colorado, and am familiar with the natural resources of the region. My recent relevant project experience includes rare plant surveys in Delta and Montrose counties, co-authorship of Colorado Sagebrush: A Conservation Assessment and Strategy (prepared for the Colorado Division of Wildlife in 2005), and a Migratory Bird Status Literature Review (prepared for the Uncompahgre Field Office of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in 2009). I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from Stanford University in 1988 and have more than 25 years of experience in consulting practice. June 22, 2020 __________________________________ __________________ Dawn R. Reeder, Principal Biologist Date Rare Earth Science, LLC DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 v Rare Earth Science, LLC CONTACTS & BASIC INFORMATION SUMMARY PROPERTY NAME Ridgway West Parcel GRANTOR Eagle County / Eagle County Open Space PO Box 850 Eagle, Colorado 81631 (970) 328-8698 GRANTEE Eagle Valley Land Trust PO Box 3016 Edwards, Colorado 81632 (970) 748-7654 www.evlt.org BASELINE DOCUMENTATION REPORT PREPARER Dawn Reeder Rare Earth Science, LLC 38696 Fruitland Mesa Road Crawford, Colorado 81415 (970) 527-8445 dawn@rareearthscience.com ACREAGE: Approximately 131 acres EAGLE COUNTY PARCEL No: Part of 210913200007 ZONING: Resource PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 5344 Brush Creek Road, Eagle, Colorado PHYSICAL LOCATION: Parts of Sections 13 and 14, Township 5 South, Range 84 West of the 6th Principal Meridian, County of Eagle, State of Colorado LEGAL DESCRIPTION: See Exhibit A-1 of the Amended Deed of Conservation Easement BUILDING AREAS An approximately 7.46-acre area encompassing the property’s buildings, and an approximate 2- acre extension of the existing Brush Creek Valley Ranch and Open Space Recreation and Education Building Area on the property. DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 1 Rare Earth Science, LLC 1 INTRODUCTION Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) provide for the establishment of conservation easements to maintain land “in a natural, scenic, or open condition, or for wildlife habitat, or for agricultural […] or other use or condition consistent with the protection of open land, environmental quality or life-sustaining ecological diversity” [CRS §38-30.5-102]. In 2017, The Conservation Fund (TCF), the Eagle County Open Space program, Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), the Town of Eagle, and the Eagle Ranch Association partnered to acquire and conserve the 1,540-acre Hardscrabble Ranch, a working ranch near the Town of Eagle that is the scenic and ranching centerpiece of Brush Creek Valley. The property was once included in the plan to develop Adam’s Rib ski area and faced a significant threat of development for 30 years due to its proximity to the Town of Eagle and its relative nearness to premier resort towns. Following a conservation easement conveyance on Hardscrabble Ranch to Eagle Valley Land Trust, the land was conveyed in fee title to Eagle County, and is now part of the Eagle County Open Space land portfolio as “Brush Creek Valley Ranch and Open Space.” Eagle County is now preparing to amend the Hardscrabble Ranch Deed of Conservation Easement to incorporate an approximately 131-acre inholding parcel known as the “Ridgway West Parcel” (hereinafter, the “property”). Simultaneously with Eagle County’s purchase of the property, the property will be encumbered by an amended conservation easement for Hardscrabble Ranch and become part of the Brush Creek Valley Ranch and Open Space. Eagle Valley Land Trust, the grantee, is a non-profit corporation and a qualified organization to hold conservation easements, as defined in §170(h) of the Internal Revenue Code, and a charitable organization as required under CRS §§38-30.5-104(2). Eagle County Open Space (the grantor) will manage the property for the benefit of the public. The parties agree that the purpose of the conservation easement on the property will be to protect and preserve the property’s conservation values—in particular, recreation and education opportunities for the public, wildlife habitat, and scenic and agricultural open space. This report serves as baseline conditions documentation for the property. As such, this report is intended to provide evidence of the property’s conservation values, and to provide the grantee with a description of the existing conditions on the property at the time of the conservation easement conveyance, so that changes to the land can be monitored over time, especially those changes that may affect its conservation values. This report is intended to benefit all involved parties and will be used by the grantee to assure that any future changes on the property are consistent with the terms of the Amended Deed of Conservation Easement (CE Deed). However, this report is not intended to preclude the use of other evidence to establish the condition of the property at the time of the conservation easement conveyance. The accuracy of this report is acknowledged by the grantor and grantee at the time of the conservation easement conveyance. While the contents of this report satisfy the documentation requirements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service Code at §1.170A-14, the conservation easement due diligence requirements of the grantee, and generally follow standards and practices recommended by the Land Trust Alliance, it should be noted that no tax credit benefits will be realized by the grantor of the conservation easement as a result of the conservation easement conveyance. DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 2 Rare Earth Science, LLC This report consists of narrative text, with figures and documentary photographs following the text. Figure 1 shows the regional setting of the property and its location in relationship to other conserved private property and public lands. Figure 2 shows the topography of the property and surrounding area. Figure 3 provides an aerial overview of the property and a key to documentary photograph locations. Figures 3a shows a larger scale aerial photograph and documentary photograph locations within the Building Envelope (BE). Figure 4 shows an overview of the locations of improvements and important features on the property, and Figure 4a shows a detailed view of improvements and features within the BE. Figures 5 and 6 present geology and soils information, respectively, and Figure 7 shows vegetation communities across the property. Figures 8 and 9 map the ranges of selected wildlife species. A list of global positioning system (GPS) coordinates for the locations of documentary photographs (“photopoints”) is included on the documentary photographs cover page. Attachment A is an ecological site analysis of the property performed by DHM Design. 1.1 Methods Methods of baseline documentation included a field visit to the property on August 22, 2019, by Dawn Reeder (Principal Biologist, Rare Earth Science), review of information provided by the grantor, and research of available publications and other relevant documents, as cited. Mapping for this document was created using ESRI® geographic information systems (GIS) software, ArcGIS 10.6™ and a recreational-grade handheld GPS unit. Base maps consist of the local U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle and National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP) aerial photography digital mosaics available for public download through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) or from the ESRI online server. The property boundary shown on the figures in this report was mapped using a GIS shapefile provided by Eagle County. This boundary should not be considered a survey, but rather, a representational sketch. Data resources used to create regional mapping, geology and soils mapping, and wildlife range maps are cited on the figures themselves. The photopoint map was created by mapping GPS waypoints marked at documentary photograph locations. The improvements mapping was created by interpreting recent aerial photographs and by mapping GPS waypoints of certain point features and tracks of roads, trails, and fence lines on the property. Consequently, the improvements map must not be considered a survey of improvements, but rather a simple inventory sketch. Estimates of building footprints, road lengths, landcover areas presented in this report were calculated in GIS or measured in Google Earth. Vegetation communities were mapped by interpreting recent aerial photographs and publicly available landcover datasets, combined with a walkabout survey of the property. It should be noted that vegetation mapping boundaries cannot accurately represent the intergrade between plant communities. Plant nomenclature (both common names and scientific names) follows Weber and Wittmann 2012 and/or the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Plants Database. Nomenclature for mammals and herptiles follows Armstrong et al. 2011 and Hammerson 1999, respectively. Common names of bird species are consistent with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Birds of North America program and the Colorado Breeding Bird Atlas (Kingery 1998). DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 3 Rare Earth Science, LLC It was not within the scope of this report to review boundary adjustments, miscellaneous easements, or rights-of-way, whether recorded or unrecorded, for accuracy or applicability to the conservation easement conveyance. 1.2 Property & Setting Description The Ridgway West Parel is an approximately 131-acre property formerly part of a larger ranch in the Brush Creek Valley near the Town of Eagle in Eagle County, Colorado (Figure 1). A complete legal description of the property is provided in the CE Deed. See the Contacts and Basic Information Summary in the front matter of this report and for further information identifying the property. The property lies in the lower foothills of the Southern Rocky Mountains Sawatch Range, in the Brush Creek Valley of the Eagle River watershed. The area is characterized by steep river valleys and terraces flanked by high foothills and mountains. Local landmarks include the Seven Hermits and Hardscrabble Mountain to the southwest, Coffin Mountain and Horse Mountain to the south and southeast, and Bellyache Ridge to the northwest. The property encompasses approximately 1 mile of Brush Creek and 0.1 mile of Salt Creek and their riparian corridors, at an average elevation of approximately 6,900 feet above mean sea level (Figure 2). As part of a working ranch, the property features irrigated hay meadows and pastures and residential and agricultural buildings and corrals. The property adjoins the Brush Creek Valley Ranch and Open Space on three sides (Figures 1 and 2). A maintained gravel drive traverses the property. These and other improvements and features are further described in Section 2.1. Documentary photographs keyed to Figures 3 and 3a show their appearances near the time of the conservation easement conveyance, and their locations are sketched on Figures 4 and 4a. The CE Deed provides for two building envelopes on the property (Figures 4 and 4a). The “Ridgway Ranch Headquarters Building Area” encompasses approximately 7.46 acres in the location of the existing Ridgway West Parcel headquarters area in the south part of the property, along Brush Creek Road. The second building envelope is an extension (approximately 2 acres) of the existing Recreation and Education Building Area on adjoining Brush Creek Valley Ranch & Open Space, which is referred to as the “Ridgway Property Recreation and Education Building Area” (the approximate configuration is shown on Figure 4). 1.3 Conservation Context The property is surrounded on three sides by the Brush Creek Valley Ranch and Open Space (Figures 1 and 2). When conserved, the property will represent a 10 percent extension of the existing open space land and will be managed in conjunction with it. Locally, conservation of the property will help protect the scenic value and natural, open character of the Brush Creek Valley and surrounding foothills, and help maintain wildlife habitat and movement corridors from the potential effects of incompatible uses or inappropriate development in the future. Conservation of the property will also benefit local people by creating the opportunity to improve connectivity of local and regional public trails, including enhancing recreational benefits for the citizens of the Town of Eagle. DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 4 Rare Earth Science, LLC Regionally, the Brush Creek Valley Ranch and Open Space is the physical and visual gateway to thousands of acres of surrounding public lands managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), the BLM, and the U.S. Forest Service. These include Sylvan Lake State Park, the White River National Forest, the Holy Cross Wilderness Area, Red Table Mountain Wilderness Study Area, the Tenth Mountain Division Hut System, and the adjoining BLM Hardscrabble Special Recreation Management Area. With its central location and year-round attractions, Eagle County is a hub for outdoor recreation in Colorado. It is an all-season recreation destination for world-class skiing, white-water rafting, fishing, hunting, mountain biking and hiking. These activities contribute substantially to Colorado’s annual $994 million recreation economy. The Brush Creek Valley Ranch and Open Space, along with the incorporated Ridgway West Parcel, is a significant addition to Eagle County’s outdoor amenities that will benefit local residents, visitors from Colorado’s Front Range, and beyond. The property also lies adjacent to and buffers the Colorado Natural Heritage Program’s 30,988- acre Seven Hermits Potential Conservation Area (Ranked “B2-Very High Biodiversity Significance”) and just east of the 4,200-acre BLM Hardscrabble Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), known for the presence of important flora and fauna including the rare Harrington’s Penstemon. 1.4 Directions to the Property The property can be reached from the Town of Eagle as follows: • From the intersection of Eby Creek Road and Grand Avenue (U.S. Highway 6) in Eagle, travel west on Grand Avenue a short distance to Capitol Street. • Turn left (south) on Capitol Street and travel approximately 0.8 mile to Brush Creek Road. • Turn left (southeast) on Brush Creek Road and travel approximately 0.8 mile. • Turn right (south) to stay on Brush Creek Road and travel approximately 0.2 mile. • Turn left (southeast) to stay on Brush Creek Road and travel approximately 1.5 miles to the driveway to the building envelope, on the left (east) side of Brush Creek Road (5344 Brush Creek Road). 1.5 Summary of the Property’s Conservation Values The purpose of the conservation easement conveyance on the property is to preserve, in perpetuity, the following conservation values: 1. Public recreation or education. Under the conservation easement the property may, subject to an approved management plan, be open to the public for recreation and education opportunities (Treas. Reg. §1.170A-14(d)(2)). The property will provide public recreation which may include, but would not be limited to, public trails, picnic areas, wildlife viewing, fishing, and hunting access, as set forth in the approved management plan. Such access is desired by and important to the residents of the Town of Eagle and citizens of Eagle County because it provides recreational opportunities in a natural and DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 5 Rare Earth Science, LLC scenic setting close to home. It is anticipated that future trails on the property will connect with an extensive trail system on adjoining lands, enhancing trail system accessibility and connectivity for the public. 2. Relatively natural habitat. The property features characteristics of relatively natural habitat (Treas. Reg. §1.170A-14(d)(3)). The property supports native irrigated hay meadows and pastures, and 1.1 miles of coldwater montane streams and riparian corridors that provide forage, cover, breeding habitat, and migration areas for a variety of wildlife species, including migratory songbirds, raptors, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, big game, and fish. The property lies within Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW)-mapped summer and winter range for both elk and mule deer, and within overall ranges of black bear and mountain lion. These big game species contribute significantly to the biodiversity of the region and to the State and local economies through hunting revenues. The property’s relatively natural habitat and creek corridors also qualify as “significant” as defined by U.S. Treasury Regulations, because it could provide habitat for species considered rare, threatened, endangered or of special concern—namely bald eagle (a State of Colorado Species of Concern), and potential habitat for native cutthroat trout (the greenback cutthroat [federally listed as threatened] and/or the Colorado River cutthroat [a State of Colorado Species of Concern]), and northern leopard frog (a State of Colorado Species of Concern). 3. Open space. The property possesses the characteristics of open space delineated at Treas. Reg. §1.170A-14(d)(4) in that its preservation will provide scenic enjoyment to the general public, is pursuant to clearly delineated public policies, and will yield a significant public benefit. The property spans a significant portion of the lower Brush Creek Valley southeast of the Town of Eagle, encompassing picturesque open meadows and meandering streams in the valley floor as well as rugged wooded terraces and foothills flanking the valley. Positioned between the Town of Eagle and residential subdivisions at the lower end of the valley and an up-valley golf course and residential subdivision, the property is integral to the scenic open space beauty and rural ranching character of the area. The property adjoins the existing Brush Creek Valley Ranch and Open Space, which lies between extensive blocks of public lands administered by BLM on either side of the valley, maintaining visual congruity of the valley’s scenic open space, as well as habitat connectivity across the valley floor for big game. The property is visually accessible to the public from nearby and the adjoining public lands, as well as from many public roads in the area. As a working ranch, the property possesses grazing rangeland and produces irrigated hay crops, using substantial water rights. The property’s water rights will be permanently tied to the property as set forth in the conservation easement. Preservation of open space, including scenic and agricultural lands, is supported by state and local governmental policies, and brings significant benefit to the public, because subdivision and development of the property would lead to the degradation of the scenic character of the area and loss of agriculturally productive lands. The Eagle County Comprehensive Plan and Eagle County Board of County Commissioners Resolution 2016-064 support the preservation of scenic open space using conservation easements. DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 6 Rare Earth Science, LLC 2 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROPERTY 2.1 Improvements & Features The following table summarizes the improvements and other human-made features existing on the property at the time of the CE conveyance. The appearances of the features are shown in the documentary photographs (following the figures after the main text), whose locations are keyed to Figures 3 and 3a. Figures 4 and 4a map the locations of improvements and other important features. Table 1. Summary of Improvements and Features on the Ridgway West Parcel Feature Name Photopoint Number(s) Approx. Size / Footprint Current Use Location Description B U I L D I N G S Residence / ranch house 33, 34 2000 square feet (sf) Ranch residence (with a rental tenant) Ridgway Ranch Headquarters Building Area A single-story log house with an asphalt shingle compound gable roof, in good condition Log Shed 34, 38 300 sf Storage Ridgway Ranch Headquarters Building Area A primitive log building with a low- pitch gable metal roof, in fair condition Low shed (2) 39 125, 65 sf Animal shelter Ridgway Ranch Headquarters Building Area Two wood-framed wood-sided sheds with metal roofing in fair condition Barn 23, 32, 34, 38, 2000 sf Animal shelter, tack shelter, equipment storage Ridgway Ranch Headquarters Building Area A tall, gable-roofed post-and beam structure with classic cupolas, multi-storied, in good condition Small shed 34, 38 130 sf Storage Ridgway Ranch Headquarters Building Area A gable-roofed wood-framed building with wood siding and metal roofing in good condition, adjacent to the south side of the barn Loafing sheds (2) 40 960 sf each Animal shelter, equipment storage Ridgway Ranch Headquarters Building Area Post and beam shed-roof structures with wood siding and metal roofing, open on one side, in good condition Shop 32, 36, 38, 40 2000 sf Machinery and vehicle maintenance and storage Ridgway Ranch Headquarters Building Area A gable-roofed metal building in good condition Granary 32, 36 200 sf Storage Ridgway Ranch Headquarters Building Area Prefabricated cylindrical corrugated metal structure permanently in place, in good condition Old dilapidated shed 24 110 sf None East of Brush Creek in the south part of the property A gable-roofed wood-framed building in poor condition DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 7 Rare Earth Science, LLC Feature Name Photopoint Number(s) Approx. Size / Footprint Current Use Location Description I R R I G A T E D L A N D S & W A T E R D E V E L O P M E N T S Irrigated hay meadows and pastures Visible from most photopoints Approximately 49 percent of the property Hay production, pasture Throughout the property Areas cleared of native vegetation, and planted in hay cultivar or pasture grasses, or in native graminoid wetlands Irrigation infrastructure 13, 14, 17, 18, 25, 26 ~1.5 mi of delivery ditches Irrigation water conveyance around the property Approximately mapped on Figures 4 and 4a Open, unlined irrigation ditches; buried irrigation pipe across difficult terrain; and irrigation diversions on the creeks for distribution of adjudicated water rights Pond basin 3 0.13 acre N/A On north boundary Pond basin filled in with willows and cattails Water wells -- -- Domestic water for a residence east of the property In the north part of the property (see Figure 4) Water well with State Permit No. 39590, and an appurtenant buried waterline; powered with electric pump I N F R A S T R U C T U R E Gravel road 1, 21, 23 0.2 mi Access to Open Space along north boundary; access to BE from Brush Creek Road, and access through the property to a private parcel to the east North and south parts of the property (see Figure 4) One lane graveled road. Road through the Ridgway Ranch Headquarters Building Area has a bridge over Brush Creek. Ranch road, primitive or unimproved 9 ~0.7 mi Property access with full-sized vehicle or ATV Two-track road east of Brush Creek Primitive two-track used for access around the ranch, with native surface material Fencing 2, 18, 21, 23, 28 Several linear miles of perimeter and interior fencing Livestock containment Throughout the property, approximately as shown on Figures 4, 4a Multi-strand barbed wire livestock fencing on wood or metal posts, and wooden post-and-rail fencing in the BE (property fencing does not impede the passage of big game); some fencing is non- functional Hay stackyards 9, 19 Less than 1 acre total Hay storage In locations shown on Figure 4 Wood panels temporarily or permanently in place DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 8 Rare Earth Science, LLC Feature Name Photopoint Number(s) Approx. Size / Footprint Current Use Location Description Overhead utilities 9 0.2 mi Local electric service to the building envelope and across the north part of the property Approximately as shown on Figure 4 Local overhead utility alignment spanning the north part of the property and also entering the BE Buried utilities -- -- Local buried residential natural gas, electric, gas, telecom, and water lines Parallel to county roads, and in various locations throughout the property Buried utilities exist in the BE, serving the structures; also buried parallel to county roads (not mapped in this report); other than where marked on the surface by signage, all these are inconspicuous on the landscape I N T E N S I V E U S E A R E A S ( C U R R E N T O R H I S T O R I C ) Various horse paddocks and livestock corrals 37 through 40 8 acres Paddocks, small pastures mostly in or near the BE Various areas around the ranch; mostly in and around the BAs and in parts of the Salt Creek Parcel Various dryland or sub-irrigated areas dedicated to long-term occupation by horses or livestock, with bare ground and ruderal weeds; these conditions are normal while intensive use is confined to these areas in order to protect hayfields and other pastures from overgrazing Equipment storage areas 36, 38 <2 acres total Parking for various vehicles, farm implements, equipment, stock trailers Ridgway Ranch Headquarters Building Area Flat ruderal areas within the corrals/developed area of the BE M I S C E L L A N E O U S Fuel storage tanks (3) 35 200 to 300 gallons each Farm equipment and vehicle fuel Ridgway Ranch Headquarters Building Area Elevated steel tanks, mounted on stands and with stock water tanks for spill containment, in good condition 2.2 Geology, Topography, & Soils The property lies in the rugged, high-elevation terrain of the Southern Rocky Mountains physiographic province, which is locally characterized by cliffs, canyons and gulches cut in gently-dipping to broadly-folded sedimentary rocks of Pennsylvanian to Cretaceous age. The topography and geology of this area were influenced by several major structural elements in western Colorado, including the Gore Range to the east-northeast, the White River Uplift and Flat Top Mountains to the west-northwest, and the Sawatch Range to the southeast. This area is located in the Eagle Basin, which is primarily a Pennsylvanian-aged depositional trough located in a structurally complex region to the east of the larger Piceance Creek Basin (a.k.a. Piceance Basin). DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 9 Rare Earth Science, LLC The Geologic Map of the Leadville 1° x 2° Quadrangle, Northwestern Colorado (USGS Miscellaneous Investigation Series Map I-999, 1988) was reviewed for an understanding of local surface and subsurface geologic conditions, and a generalized geologic map showing the primary rock units (Geologic Map Units) at and near the property is presented on Figure 5. The property is comprised mostly of Pleistocene-age Quaternary gravel and alluvium deposits (Geologic Map Unit Qg) in the Brush Creek drainage, surrounded by bedrock Middle Pennsylvanian-age Eagle Valley Evaporite (Geologic Map Unit Pee). The property is an irregularly shaped polygon straddling the northwest-trending Brush Creek drainage and the Brush Creek-Salt Creek confluence. The property’s topography is characterized by the wide, relatively gently-sloping Brush Creek valley, bounded by low foothills on the east, at an average elevation of approximately 7,000 feet above mean sea level (Figure 2). The property's soils, consisting primarily of loams and fluvaquents ranging from fine to gravelly, are derived from the geologic units described above. A total of 5 soil units are mapped on the property by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS 2013). Figure 6 depicts NRCS mapping and provides a complete list of Soil Map Units. The major soil units on the property are Atencio-Azeltine complex, 3 to 6 percent slopes (Soil Map Unit 13), comprising approximately 48 percent of the property; Fluvaquents, 0 to 10 percent slopes (Soil Map Unit 42; approximately 32 percent of the property) and Mussel loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes (Soil Map Unit 90; approximately 24 percent of the property). The Atencio-Azeltine complex (Soil Map Unit 13) includes clayey, sandy, gravelly, or cobbly loams, and gypsiferous material, and coincides generally with the property’s irrigated meadows and riparian-wetland complexes west of Brush Creek. This soil formed on fans, terraces, or drainageways that originated from alluvium derived from sandstone, shale, basalt, or calcareous sandstone; colluvium derived from sandstone, shale, basalt, calcareous sandstone, or gypsum, or mixed residuum or colluvium. The Fluvaquents, 0 to 10 percent slopes (Soil Map Unit 42) and Mussel loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes (Soil Map Unit 90) are somewhat poorly drained to well-drained gravelly, sandy, or clayey loams formed on valley floors, floodplains, fans, and terraces of mixed or calcareous alluvium. Soil Map Unit 42 roughly coincides with the Brush Creek and Salt Creek floodplains, and Soil Map Unit 90 is associated with the irrigated meadow terrace above Brush Creek in the northwest part of the property. The NRCS ecological site descriptions associated with the property’s prevalent soils (NRCS 2013) are Rolling Loam (associated with Soil Map Units 13 and 90) and River Bottom (associated with Soil Map Unit 42). The NRCS assigns ecological site descriptions based on environmental factors, such as soil characteristics, hydrology, and plant communities that have developed over time. 2.3 Surface Hydrology The primary surface water features on the property are approximately 1.1 mile of Brush Creek and approximately 0.1 mile of Salt Creek, both perennial coldwater streams (Figures 2, 4, and 7). Brush Creek flows southeast to northwest across the property, reaching its confluence with Eagle River approximately 4.5 miles northwest. Salt Creek flows northerly across the south part of the property, reaching its confluence with Brush Creek on the property. Both creeks have DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 10 Rare Earth Science, LLC fairly sinuous flowpaths that are, for the most part, permitted to move laterally across the floodplain and maintain dense, dynamic stands of riparian shrubs. Brush Creek also supports scattered cottonwood woodlands. Several irrigation ditches traverse the property, providing irrigation water to the property’s irrigated meadows, and to other lands downgradient of the property. The approximate ditch alignments (excluding any distribution laterals) are shown on Figures 4 and 7. A Water Rights Review prepared by Spronk Water Engineers, Inc. (Book & Mayberry 2020) sets forth the current status of water resources and water rights associated with the property. Slight mapping discrepancies may occur between the mapping in this report and the Water Rights Review, in which case, the Water Rights Review takes precedence. 2.4 Vegetation The vegetation communities found on the property are listed and briefly described in paragraphs below (in decreasing order of prevalence), and mapped on Figure 7. The vegetation map was created by interpreting a recent aerial photograph, reviewing publicly available landcover datasets, and a walkabout survey of the property. A detailed more detailed discussion and map of the property’s vegetation is included in Attachment A. • Irrigated meadow (approximately 50 percent of the property). The property’s irrigated lands consist of irrigated hay meadows primarily in smooth brome (Bromus inermis), and irrigated pastures in a variety of pasture cultivars and lesser amounts of clovers. Where the irrigation delivery system is maintained, and the land is consistently irrigated, the property’s irrigated lands are in excellent condition. • Riparian-wetland complex (approximately 47 percent of the property). Robust riparian vegetation corridors are associated with Brush Creek and Salt Creek on the property. Both Brush Creek and Salt Creek meander in fairly broad, low-gradient floodplains, and support dense and fairly broad stands of native shrub willows (Salix spp.). Brush Creek also supports scattered stands of narrowleaf cottonwood (Populus angustifolia), with occasional hawthorn (Crataegus sp.) and silver buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea). The broader floodplain area also has sub-irrigated graminoid wetlands and fens (see Attachment A). These communities were generally in good condition, except for areas with small patches of herbaceous weeds or bare ground where pastured animals congregate. • Ruderal lands and paved or gravel roads (approximately 3 percent of the property). Areas marked as ruderal on Figure 7 are long-term areas of disturbance or landscaping around the BE. • Upland shrublands (approximately < 1 percent of the property). Some unfarmed upland shrub areas exist adjacent to the riparian corridor or irrigation ditches. These areas are occupied by sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and non-native herbaceous plants. 3 LAND USE & MANAGEMENT PRACTICES Under the conservation easement the property will be operated and managed in conjunction with the adjoining Brush Creek Valley Ranch and Open Space. Management will be in accordance with a management plan mutually acceptable to the parties. DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 11 Rare Earth Science, LLC 3.1 Ranching The property, including the Ridgway Ranch Headquarters Building Area and the buildings therein, have either been leased or used by the owner for cattle ranching, horse boarding, and irrigated hay production. Eagle County may lease the property for agricultural use, with a possible goal of generating some income for management and maintenance, and preserving an important piece of the Brush Creek valley’s agricultural heritage and character. 3.2 Weeds & Weed Management The most prevalent state-listed noxious weeds observed on the property during the baseline field visit were whitetop and knapweed, with lesser amounts of plumeless thistle, Canada thistle, and houndstongue. These were concentrated mainly in unfarmed areas and along ditch banks. Other non-native herbaceous plant species scattered across the property (such as in paddocks and along fencelines and roads) were yellow sweetclover (Melilotus officinali), and a few species of annual mustards. Such non-native plants are typical and widespread in disturbed, overgrazed, or reclaimed soils in western Colorado and are not considered to be directly harmful to wildlife or pets. 3.3 Recreation & Public Access The property has been used for recreational activities such as hunting and fishing. As part of Eagle County’s Open Space program, the property will be managed in conjunction with the adjoining/existing Brush Creek Valley Ranch and Open Space, and portions of the property may be open to the public for fishing, picnicking, biking, hiking, wildlife viewing, education and other outdoor activities, in accordance with an approved management plan. 3.4 Minerals Management The subsurface mineral rights on the property are intact with the surface estate. No evidence of past or present surface or subsurface mining was observed during the baseline field visit. 3.5 Waste Management According to a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment conducted for the project by Summit Geology & Consulting, LLC (2019), there are no environmental concerns (aka “recognized environmental conditions” per the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment methodology) associated with the property. 3.6 Impervious Surfaces The CE Deed specifies that no portion of the property shall be paved or covered with material that does not allow water to percolate into the soil, except for roads, areas in the building envelope and public access areas, all as more fully specified in the CE Deed. Paved surfaces may not exceed 2 percent of the property. This limitation does not include roads or improvements owned and controlled by parties with superior rights to those rights conveyed to the Grantee by the CE Deed, and any new or existing structures permitted by the CE Deed. The amount of impervious surface on the property subject to the impervious surfaces limitation did DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 12 Rare Earth Science, LLC not exceed 2 percent of the total property acreage at the time of the conservation easement conveyance. 4 PUBLIC RECREATION OR EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES The conservation easement on the property will allow for significant recreational access to the public. The conservation easement anticipates access for a variety of recreational and outdoor activities, will improve the safety and availability of outdoor recreation for youth and families, and will enable the connectivity that local communities and outdoor enthusiasts desire. This project will support the Town of Eagle’s efforts to become a recreational destination, and will enable Eagle County and the Town to develop several miles of new and connecting trails. As part of Eagle County’s Open Space program, and subject to the conservation easement and management plan, the property may be open to the public for fishing, picnicking, biking, hiking, wildlife viewing, education and other outdoor activities. Reachable by a 7-minute bike ride or a 30-minute walk from the Town of Eagle, the property— as part of the Brush Creek Valley Ranch and Open Space—is expected to serve recreational users of all ages and abilities from the local community, as well as visitors from Colorado’s Front Range cities and beyond. Portions of the property may be a resource to various non-profits and local schools to help connect youth and families, including traditionally underserved populations, to nature and outdoor activities. On the southern portion of Brush Creek Valley Ranch and Open Space, 1.2 miles of paved trail (Figure 4) already exist. Under the conservation easement, there will be an opportunity to connect this section of trail to trails in the Town of Eagle’s Haymeadow subdivision adjacent to the Open Space on the north. Completion of such trails will eliminate the hazardous sharing of Brush Creek Road by autos, bicycles and pedestrians. The property’s recreational value is enhanced by its open space characteristics (Section 6), and by the iconic scenic mountain and ranch views it offers to recreationists enjoying the Open Space. 5 RELATIVELY NATURAL HABITAT The property features relatively natural habitat conservation values (see Section 1.5 for a conservation values summary). The property’s native woodlands, shrublands, irrigated meadows, and riparian corridors provide important relatively natural habitat and habitat linkages for wildlife in the area. Vegetation communities on the property are described in Sections 2.3 and 2.4 of this report and mapped on Figure 7. The appearance of the relatively natural habitat is depicted in documentary photographs following the main text of this report. Documentary photographs were taken at the photopoints shown on Figures 3 and 3a. The ranges of selected wildlife species are mapped on Figures 8 and 9. 5.1 Habitat for Special Status Species Threatened, endangered, or special concern species known to occur or with the potential to occur on the property based on documented ranges and habitat requirements are described below. It is important to note that it was not within the scope of this report to conduct a comprehensive survey for threatened, endangered, or special concern species during the DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 13 Rare Earth Science, LLC baseline field visit. Threatened, endangered, or special concern animal species described below have the potential to occur based on documented nearby occurrences, documented occurrences on the property, CPW range mapping, and/or presence of suitable habitat on the property. • Bald eagle (Colorado State Species of Concern). The bald eagle was listed as endangered in the conterminous U.S. in 1967. Loss of habitat, shooting for feathers, and widespread use of the pesticide DDT are all thought to have contributed to the decline of this species; only 417 pairs were surveyed in the conterminous U.S. in 1963, down from several hundred thousand before the arrival of Europeans on this continent. Since domestic use of DDT was banned in 1972, bald eagle populations have increased dramatically, nearly doubling every 8 years. Approximately 6,500 pairs of bald eagles were recorded in the conterminous U.S. in 2000 (Buehler 2000). In 2001, 45 resident pairs were recorded in Colorado, up from 11 pairs in 1990. In 2007, the federal government de-listed the bald eagle; however, the bald eagle is still recognized as a State Species of Concern in Colorado (CPW 2020). Bald eagles are regular winter residents in Eagle Valley, where they prey on fish and rodents or find carrion in meadows and shrublands. The property lies within CPW-mapped bald eagle winter range and winter and summer foraging areas (Figure 8). Bald eagles were not observed on the property during the field visit, but are often observed by residents of the Brush Creek Valley. • Native cutthroat trout. Colorado River cutthroat trout is recognized as a Colorado State Species of Concern (CPW 2020). The greenback cutthroat trout (GBCT) was originally listed as endangered, then down-listed to threatened in 1978 at Federal Register 43:16343-16345 (USFWS 1998). Either species could potentially inhabit the headwaters of the Brush Creek drainage. Ongoing genetic work to determine taxonomic distinctions between native greenback and Colorado River cutthroat trout may affect the current understanding of their distributions in Colorado (Dare et al. 2011). Until recently, greenbacks where thought to be endemic to streams east of the continental divide; however, scientists have identified greenbacks in several western slope drainages, possibly due to historic fish stocking practices. Reasons for decline of native cutthroats include hybridization with other trout species, competition with non-native stocked trout, and overharvest, along with water depletion, water quality impacts, and fragmentation and genetic isolation of small populations. Cutthroats inhabit cold water streams and lakes with adequate spring spawning habitat. Different life stages require different microhabitat types, but clear, cold, well-oxygenated water is the overarching habitat requirement. Cutthroats feed on aquatic and terrestrial insects, crustaceans, and small fish. The creek has been identified by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) as a candidate for reintroduction of the Eagle River’s indigenous cutthroat trout, which exist today only in Abrams Creek, a nearby tributary to Brush Creek. • Northern leopard frog (Colorado State Species of Concern). The property features excellent breeding habitat in its riparian corridors, which could potentially support the northern leopard frog. Northern leopard frogs require a variety of aquatic habitats to meet the all life stage requirements. They breed in slow-moving or still water along streams and rivers, in wetlands, in permanent or temporary pools, beaver ponds, and human-constructed habitats such as earthen stock tanks and borrow pits. Juvenile northern leopard frogs typically congregate in feeding sites along the borders of larger, more permanent bodies of water and recently-metamorphosed frogs will move up and DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 14 Rare Earth Science, LLC down drainages and across land in an effort to locate new breeding areas. This widely distributed amphibian has become scarce in some areas of Colorado, leading to its recognition as a Species of Concern by the State of Colorado (CPW 2020). In low elevation areas in western Colorado, the leopard frog can be displaced by non-native bullfrogs or decimated by non-native predatory fishes (Hammerson 1999). In higher elevation areas, the decreases in abundance of these frogs are largely unexplained. No leopard frogs were observed on the property during the baseline field visit (surveys for this species were not conducted as part of the baseline field work). Many occurrences are known from the region (CNHP 2015; Hammerson 1999). In its Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, the State of Colorado identified northern leopard frog as a Tier 1 species (a species with the highest conservation concern) with High Priority for protection in shrub-dominated wetlands, grass-forb dominated wetlands, and transition streams (CDOW 2006). 5.2 Big Game Habitat The property lies within the overall ranges of American elk, mule deer, mountain lion, and black bear, all big game species that are of economic importance to Eagle County and the State of Colorado, and that contribute significantly to the biodiversity of the region. • Elk. The property lies within overall range of American elk (Armstrong et al. 2011). CPW maps the entirety of the property as elk summer range and winter range (Figure 8). Severe winter range and winter concentration areas are mapped nearby on adjoining open space lands. Elk find good forage and security in the property’s native riparian shrublands, especially during winter. Due to hunting revenues, elk are of significant economic importance to Eagle County and the State of Colorado, and contribute significantly to the biodiversity of the region. Approximately 39,306 elk were harvested statewide by hunters in 2016 (CPW 2017a), generating large revenues both directly and indirectly for the state (more than 223,745 hunting licenses were issued and a total of 1,178,905 recreation days were provided). The elk population in Colorado was reduced to less than 1,000 animals in the early 1900s due to market hunting. Restoration efforts by CPW over the past several decades have resulted in a current elk population of approximately 280,000 animals statewide. The quantity of elk winter range in the region is generally declining in part due to residential development at lower elevations in areas (especially the Eagle-Vail valleys) that contain the most productive big game winter range. The conservation easement on the property will benefit big game by maintaining and buffering open space in and near their critical winter range. Maintaining the property as open space has become more important to sustaining local elk herds because a recently erected big game fence along the I-70 corridor has effectively blocked north- south elk migrations in the region. The property, along with adjoining open space lands, is the last remaining parcel of significant size in the Brush Creek Valley capable of preserving and conserving movement corridors and severe winter range for big game (Velarde 2017). Conservation of the adjoining Brush Creek Valley Ranch and Open Space was supported by CPW because it is large enough to preserve vital movement corridors between tens of thousands of acres of habitat for big game and other wildlife. At times, herds of 300 or more elk gather on Brush Creek Valley Ranch and Open Space and the Ridgway West property. As they adapt to habitat loss in the area, elk increasingly use the property to move to and from adjacent BLM and USFS lands. The property is an ecological hub of this larger conserved landscape. DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 15 Rare Earth Science, LLC • Mule deer. The property lies within the overall range of mule deer (Armstrong et al. 2011). The property is important to local mule deer herds on a year-round basis, and mule deer are expected on the property in fairly large numbers, especially during transition seasons. The entire property lies within CPW-mapped mule deer summer and winter ranges (Figure 9). Mule deer find good browse and cover in the property’s variety of vegetation types. Mule deer contribute significantly to the biodiversity of the region, and due to hunting revenues, mule deer are of significant economic importance to Eagle County and the State of Colorado. In 2016, 81,253 licensed hunters harvested 36,824 deer in a total of 382,388 recreation days across Colorado (CPW 2017b). The importance of mule deer habitat conservation is underscored by the fact that statewide, mule deer numbers have declined by approximately 36 percent in the past decade, and herd numbers remain about 125,000 below CPW’s population objectives. CPW identifies several factors contributing to the decline, namely Colorado’s dramatic increase in human population, which has contributed to the direct loss and degradation of mule deer habitat due to housing developments, urban and suburban sprawl, and infrastructure (CPW 2017e). Habitat quantity and quality on winter range is a limiting factor for mule deer populations, when they are more vulnerable to starvation and predation, especially during severe winters. The quantity and quality of mule deer winter range in the lower elevation valleys of the I-70 corridor are generally declining due to increasing densities of residential development. As development in lower elevation valleys continues in the future, conserved properties such as the Brush Creek Valley Ranch and Open Space will become more important winter range as deer herds are pressured to winter at higher elevations. The property, along with the Brush Creek Valley Ranch and Open Space, is the last remaining parcel of significant size in the Brush Creek Valley capable of preserving and conserving movement corridors and severe winter range for big game (Velarde 2017). As they adapt to habitat loss in the area, mule deer increasingly use the property to move to and from adjacent BLM and USFS lands. The property is an ecological hub of this larger conserved landscape. • Black bear. The entire property lies within the overall range of black bear (Armstrong et al. 2011). The black bear is a wide-roaming species with a relatively large territory size requirement. Black bears are most likely to occur on the property during summer and fall as they look for shrub nuts and fruits to forage, especially in the creek corridors. The conservation easement will help guarantee that the property will continue to provide security and a movement corridor for black bears in the region. • Mountain lion. The property lies within the overall range of mountain lion (Armstrong et al. 2011), a wide-roaming species with a relatively large territory size requirement. Mountain lions can be expected to occur on the property occasionally, following the movements of mule deer, their primary prey. The conservation easement will help guarantee that the property will continue to provide security and a movement corridor for lions in the region. 5.3 Habitat for Other Wildlife The property provides habitat or habitat linkages for small animals with large home ranges moving across the surrounding landscape, including many neotropical migratory songbirds whose populations are declining in all or parts of their ranges (Sauer et al. 2014). These include Virginia’s warbler, Lewis’ woodpecker, veery, olive-sided flycatcher, and green-tailed towhee. DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 16 Rare Earth Science, LLC Raptors such as golden eagle, red-tailed hawk, great-horned owl, and American kestrel are expected to be fairly common or occasional (year-round or seasonally) in the area and across the property as they hunt for abundant small prey. The property lies within CPW-mapped overall and winter range for Merriam’s wild turkey (Figure 8) Good roosting habitat for wild turkey is available in the tall cottonwood stands scattered throughout the Brush Creek corridor on the property. Brush Creek through the property supports trout fishery of state-stocked rainbow and brown trout. According to CPW’s Northwest Regional Manager, the reach of Brush Creek on the property would be an excellent site for re-introduction of native cutthroat trout, which were historically present in the watershed (Velarde 2017). Several pairs of mallards were observed during the field visit on the property’s ponds. The beaver ponds that are intermittently present in the Salt Creek and Brush Creek corridors could provide habitat for other waterbirds such as American bittern, American dipper, or sora. Great blue herons commonly forage along the property’s creek corridors (Figure 8). Small mammals such as coyote, red fox, bobcat, badger, striped skunk, raccoon, cottontail, black-tailed jackrabbit, porcupine, pocket gopher, squirrels, chipmunks, mice, voles, bats, and shrews are known or expected to inhabit or visit the property and utilize its habitat types. Beaver are active in the Brush Creek and Salt Creek corridors, which contain ample stands of willows, their primary food supply. Reptiles and amphibians anticipated to occur on the property are Woodhouse’s toad, western terrestrial garter snake, bull snake, sagebrush lizard, and plateau striped whiptail. 6 OPEN SPACE The property provides scenic views and open space for the benefit and enjoyment of the public (see Section 1.5 for a summary of the property’s conservation values). The open space conservation value of the property is described below and depicted in the documentary photographs following the main text of this report. Documentary photographs were taken at the photopoints shown on Figure 3. 6.1 Scenic Characteristics The property possesses excellent scenic qualities that epitomize the natural and agricultural character of the Brush Creek Valley and Eagle County (see the attached photopages). The property’s aesthetically-pleasing and harmonious array of shapes and textures created by its pastoral meadows and meandering streams, flanked by hills and terraces vegetated with a mosaic of woodlands and shrublands, contribute to the openness and variety of the overall landscape in the region. A large portion of the property is visible from adjoining BLM lands, from the Town of Eagle, the community of Eagle Ranch, and from many roads and public recreational trails in and around the Brush Creek Valley. As such, the property provides scenic enjoyment to the citizens of the Town of Eagle, Eagle County, and the general public. DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 17 Rare Earth Science, LLC 6.2 Agricultural Resources The property supports livestock grazing across its rangelands, irrigated hay production, and has significant irrigation water rights. Preservation of the property’s agricultural open space is consistent with governmental policies (Section 6.4) and is compatible with conservation of habitat for special concern species, as well as important year-round and migratory range for big game species (Section 5). 6.3 Significant Public Benefit Preservation of the property under a conservation easement will yield significant public benefit because its open space provides a) scenic enjoyment for the general public, b) wildlife habitat and habitat connectivity at a landscape level, and c) preservation of agricultural lands. Preservation of the property will continue to provide an opportunity for the general public to appreciate its scenic values, and is important for preserving regional resources with the potential to provide local food (livestock and wild game) and attract tourism and hunting revenues to the area. A significant benefit to the public is provided by the conservation easement on the property because of the strong likelihood that development of the property would lead to or contribute to degradation of relatively natural habitat, the diminishment of the scenic and rural character of the area, and loss of productive agricultural lands. There is a foreseeable trend of population growth and development near the property. The Colorado State Demographer (2016) predicts that the population of Eagle County will nearly double by 2050. Eagle County encompasses the popular ski resorts of Vail and Beaver Creek, as well as a string of growing communities in the I-70 corridor including Gypsum, Eagle, Edwards, and Avon. Development of private properties in and around these towns has accelerated in recent years. The property’s proximity to the I-70 corridor, and its scenic views, its adjacency to BLM lands, and proximity to world-class ski areas, make it an attractive development prospect. Without protection, the likelihood of subdivision and development of the property, which could compromise the scenic natural character of the vicinity, is extremely high. Open space (including relatively natural habitat supporting big game and sensitive species), and scenic views are important resources that benefit the public by bringing enjoyment and significant hunting and tourism revenues to the State of Colorado and Eagle County. 6.4 Consistency with Government Policy The conservation easement on the property is supported by policy at the state and regional/local levels: • State policy. Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) provide for the establishment of conservation easements to retain or maintain land “in a natural, scenic, or open condition, or for wildlife habitat, or for agricultural, horticultural, wetlands, recreational, forest or other use or condition consistent with the protection of open land, environmental quality or life sustaining ecological diversity […] or other use or condition consistent with the protection of open land …” [CRS §38-30.5-102]. The Colorado Wildlife and Parks and Outdoor Recreation statutes [CRS §33-1-101 and §§ 33-10-101], provide, respectively, that “It is the policy of the State of Colorado that the wildlife and their environment are to be protected, preserved, enhanced, and managed DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 18 Rare Earth Science, LLC for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of the people of this state and its visitors” and that “It is the policy of the state of Colorado that the natural, scenic, scientific, and outdoor recreation areas of this state are to be protected, preserved, enhanced, and managed for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of the people of this state and visitors of this state.” The Colorado Department of Agriculture Statutes [CRS §§35-1-101, et seq.] provide in part that “it is the declared policy of the State of Colorado to conserve, protect, and encourage the development and improvement of its agricultural land for the production of food and other agricultural products” [CRS §35-3.5-101]. The agriculture statutes provide that, "the soil resources and fertility of the land, and the … prosperity of the farming population … and the waters of the rivers … are matters affected with a public interest” [CRS §35-3-102(a)]. Furthermore, the "welfare of this state has been impaired … by destruction of its soil fertility, by uneconomic use and waste of its land, by exploitation and wasteful … use of its soil resources" [§35-3-102(b)]. The Colorado Department of Transportation statutes [CRS §43-1-402, et seq.], provide that the "preservation and enhancement of the natural and scenic beauty of this state" are of substantial state interest. • Regional & local policy. o Eagle County Resolution No. 02-123 provides for the creation of an open space mill levy for the purpose of acquiring, maintaining, or permanently preserving open space to preserve wildlife habitat, protect working farms and ranches, conserve scenic landscapes and vistas, protect wetlands and floodplains, or provide public access points to rivers and streams. o Eagle County Resolution No. 16-064 establishes that certain characteristics and/or traits make a property worthy of protection through the Open Space Program, such as and not by way of limitation, fish and wildlife habitat or migration routes; working farms and ranches; scenic landscapes and vistas; wetlands, floodplains or other riparian habitat; public access to rivers and streams or lands open to the public; dispersed recreation; geographic or topographic formations; rare or significant flora or fauna; cultural historic values; or other natural, open space or conservation values. The establishment of a conservation easement on the property is consistent with the following goals of the 2005 Eagle County Comprehensive Plan, which became effective on January 18, 2006: o Goal: The impacts of development in Eagle County are carefully monitored, and future development occurs in a manner that preserves a high quality of life, a diverse and sustainable economy, the area’s scenic beauty, a healthy natural environment and a vibrant, well designed community (3.2). o Goal: Eagle County’s infrastructure and community services support all present and future community needs and encourage efficient travel, healthy lifestyles, a stable economy and the preservation of environmental quality (3.5). o Goal: Preserve and/or enhance the quality of wildlife habitat, and the vitality of wildlife populations in Eagle County (3.7). DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 19 Rare Earth Science, LLC o Goal: Development in Eagle County avoids or fully mitigates impacts to sensitive lands. Open space is preserved to the greatest degree possible, and scenic quality and cultural resources are protected (3.8). The establishment of a conservation easement on the property is consistent with policies and strategies set forth in the 2005 Eagle County Comprehensive Plan, including the following: o Agricultural land uses should be retained to preserve Eagle County’s historical heritage and scenic quality for the benefit of future generations (3.3.5.j). o Water-related recreation should be encouraged where appropriate at a level that will not damage related resources, ecosystems, and environments (3.6.5.i). o The integrity, quality and interconnected nature of critical wildlife habitat in Eagle County should be preserved (3.7.2.a). o The well-being of wildlife species of economic importance should be actively monitored and protected (3.7.2.b). o The well-being of wildlife species of less economic importance and those on the rare and endangered species list should be actively monitored and protected (3.7.2.c). o Development in areas critical to the continued well-being of Eagle County’s wildlife populations should not be allowed (3.7.3.d). o Development and development patterns should preserve landscapes that include visual, historic, and archeological value (3.8.3.c). o A variety of approaches should be utilized to preserve land as open space (3.8.4.e). o Open space should be able to serve different needs in different applications (3.8.4). The establishment of a conservation easement on the property is consistent with Eagle Area Community Plan (2010)—a sub-plan of the 2005 Eagle County Comprehensive Plan. The Community Plan states the following: o “Eagle will continue to be a high quality livable community through the implementation of strategies that will enhance the Town’s unique identity, its economic vitality, its sense of community and the quality and character of the surrounding rural lands” (Chapter 2: Vision – Vision Statement) o “The unincorporated rural lands that surround the Town of Eagle contribute significantly to the Town’s identity and the lifestyles enjoyed by local residents and the experience of visitors to the area. As such, the quality and character of the Eagle River Corridor, the Brush Creek Valley, the agricultural lands east and west of Town, and the Eby Creek and Castle Peak areas north of Town should be preserved.” (Chapter 2: Vision – 4th Factor of Livability) o “Maintaining the livability of the Eagle Planning Area involves the protection of wildlife habitat and corridors. Activities such as hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 20 Rare Earth Science, LLC enhance recreational opportunities, and bring visitors to the area who contribute to the local economy. The Town and County should continue to work with the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the Bureau of Land Management and the United States Forest Service to protect and preserve wildlife habitat and movement corridors by implementing necessary strategies and mitigations over time to ensure sustainable and healthy wildlife populations throughout the Planning Area.” (Chapter 2: Vision – 5th Factor of Livability) o “The Town of Eagle and Eagle County should follow the recommendations of their respective open space plans. The Town and County should continue to be proactive in their approach to maintaining open lands, including a variety of techniques to preserve viable agricultural lands, river and stream corridors, critical wildlife habitat, steep slopes, ridgelines, areas of geologic hazard and quality viewsheds as permanent open space.” (Chapter 2: Vision – 6th Factor of Livability) o “Preserve and/or appropriately manage the quality of natural resources, including wildlife habitat, vegetation, viewsheds and sensitive lands. The protection of critical wildlife habitat should supersede development goals on these lands.” (Chapter 4: Future Land Use Map – Intent Paragraph Intent Paragraph F) 7 REFERENCES Armstrong, D.M., J.P. Fitzgerald, and C.A. Meany. 2011. Mammals of Colorado. 2nd Ed. Boulder, Colorado: Univ. Press of Co. 620 pp. Book, D. E. and J. Mayberry, P.E. 2020. Water Rights Review – Ridgway Ranch (SWE Project No. 284.01.EC). Prepared by Spronk Water Engineers, Inc. for Eagle County. January 16. 87 pp. Buehler, D. A. 2000. Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). In The Birds of North America, No. 506 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and the American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. CDOW (Colorado Division of Wildlife). 2006. Colorado’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy and Wildlife Action Plans. November 2. http://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/StateWildlifeActionPlan.aspx Cox, M., D. W. Lutz, T. Wasley, M. Fleming, B. B. Compton, T. Keegan, D. Stroud, S. Kilpatrick, K. Gray, J. Carlson, L. Carpenter, K. Urquhart, B. Johnson, and C. McLaughlin. 2009. Habitat Guidelines for Mule Deer: Intermountain West Ecoregion. Mule Deer Working Group, Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. http://www.wafwa.org/Documents%20and%20Settings/37/Site%20Documents/Working %20Groups/Mule%20Deer/Publications/IMW_Mule_Deer_Habitat_Guidelines.pdf CPW (Colorado Parks and Wildlife). 2020. List of Threatened and Endangered Species, available at http://cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/SOC-ThreatenedEndangeredList.aspx CPW. 2017a. 2016 Elk Harvest, Hunters and Recreation Days for All Manners of Take. http://www2.cde.state.co.us/artemis/nrserials/nr688internet/nr6882016internet.pdf DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 21 Rare Earth Science, LLC CPW. 2017b. 2016 Deer Harvest, Hunters, and Recreation Days for All Manners of Take. https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/Hunting/BigGame/Statistics/Deer/2016StatewideDeer Harvest.pdf CPW. 2017e. Colorado’s Mule Deer Story: The 21st Century. http://cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/CO-MuleDeerStory.aspx CPW. 2015. State Wildlife Action Plan: A Strategy for Conserving Wildlife in Colorado. http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/WildlifeSpecies/SWAP/CO_SWAP_MainDocOnly.pdf Colorado State Demographer. 2016. https://gis.dola.colorado.gov/apps/demographic_dashboard/ CWMA (Colorado Weed Management Association). 2004. Troublesome Weeds of the Rocky Mountain West. 8th Edition. Dare et al. 2011. Cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) species conservation assessment for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forest Hammerson, G.A. 1999. Amphibians & Reptiles in Colorado. 2nd Ed. Boulder: Univ. Press of Colorado. 484 pp. Kingery, H.E. (Editor). 1998. Colorado Breeding Bird Atlas. Denver: Co. Bird Atlas Partnership & Co. Division of Wildlife. 636 pp. NRCS (US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service). 2017. Colorado state-listed noxious weeds. http://plants.usda.gov/java/noxious?rptType=State&statefips=08. Sauer, J. R., D. K. Niven, J. E. Hines, D. J. Ziolkowski, Jr, K. L. Pardieck, J. E. Fallon, and W. A. Link. 2017. The North American Breeding Bird Survey, Results and Analysis 1966 - 2015. Version 2.07.2017 USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD. http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/ Summit Geology & Consulting, LLC. 2019. Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, ASTM E1527-13. Prepared for Eagle County Open Space. September. 24 pp. Velarde, Ron D. (CPW Northwest Regional Manager). 2017. Letter to GOCO Board of Directors and Eagle County Board of County Commissioners in support of the purchase of the Hardscrabble Ranch Conservation Easement. February 23. Weber, William A. and Ronald C. Wittmann. 2012. Colorado Flora: Western Slope: A Field Guide to Vascular Plants. Fourth Ed. Boulder: University of Colorado Press. Whitson, T.D. (Ed.) 2000. Weeds of the West. Ninth Ed. Newark: The Western Society of Weed Science, University of Wyoming, & Western U.S. Land Grant Universities Cooperative Extension Services. DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 Rare Earth Science, LLC FIGURES DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Eagle^_ £¤6 §¨¦70 Ridgway West Parcel (Property)Brush Creek Valley Ranch & Open SpaceConservation easementTown of Eagle Open SpaceState Land Board landBLM landWhite River National ForestInterstate highway World Topographic BasemapSourced from Esri Online ServerEffective Scale All Locations ApproximateK 0 0.5 1 Miles 1:60,000 ! ! ! ^_Eagle Denver Grand Junction Colorado Springs STATE OF COLORADO Land ownership and conservation status from COMaP 2019. Baseline DocumentationReportEagle County, Coloradowww.rareearthscience.comMap by H. Watts | April 2016 1FIGURERegional & LocalLocator Maps A & RRANCH Baseline Documentation ReportEagle County, Coloradowww.rareearthscience.comMap by D. Reeder | August 2019 1FIGUREConservation Context& Regional Locator Maps RIDGWAYWEST PARCEL DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Ridgway West Parcel (Property)Brush Creek Valley Ranch & Open SpaceTown of Eagle Open SpaceBLM land USGS Topographic QuadrangleSourced from Esri Online ServerEffective Scale All Locations ApproximateK 0 0.5 1 Miles 1:24,000 Land ownership and conservation status from COMaP 2019 andEagle County GIS Department. Baseline DocumentationReportEagle County, Coloradowww.rareearthscience.comMap by H. Watts | April 2016 1FIGURERegional & LocalLocator Maps A & RRANCH Baseline Documentation ReportEagle County, Coloradowww.rareearthscience.comMap by D. Reeder | August 2019 2FIGURETopographicMapRIDGWAYWEST PARCEL DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 See Figure 3a for Ridgway BuildingArea photopoint locations(Photopoints 33 through 40) BVROS Recreationand Education BuildingArea extended onto the Property (approximate) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 1415 16 17 18 19 20 21222324 25 26 27 2829 30 31 32 PropertyBuilding Area (see Figure 3a)Photopoint locationDirection of photo(s) World Aerial Imagery (Clarity)Sourced from Esri Online ServerEffective Scale All Locations ApproximateK 0 0.1 0.2 Miles 1:6,600 Baseline DocumentationReportEagle County, Coloradowww.rareearthscience.comMap by H. Watts | April 2016 1FIGURERegional & LocalLocator Maps A & RRANCH Baseline Documentation ReportEagle County, Coloradowww.rareearthscience.comMap by D. Reeder | January 2020 3FIGUREPhotopointLocations Key RIDGWAYWEST PARCEL DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 World Aerial Imagery (Clarity)Sourced from Esri Online ServerEffective Scale All Locations ApproximateK 0 100 200 Feet 1:1,200 Baseline DocumentationReportEagle County, Coloradowww.rareearthscience.comMap by H. Watts | April 2016 1FIGURERegional & LocalLocator Maps A & RRANCH Baseline Documentation ReportEagle County, Coloradowww.rareearthscience.comMap by D. Reeder | January 2020 3aFIGUREPhotopoint LocationsBuilding Area Detail RIDGWAYWEST PARCEL PropertyBuilding AreaPhotopoint locationDirection of photo(s) DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 DDDDDDDD DD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD! ! ! !!!!!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DD DDDDDDDD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !!!!!! ! ! !!!!!!!!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !!!!!!!!! ! ! ! ! ! DD DD DDDDDDDDDDDD DD DD DD DDDDDDDDDDDDDD DD DDDDDD DD DD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DD DD DDDDDDDDDDDDDD! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! DD DD DD DDDD DDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DD DD DD DD DD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD! ! !. !. ") ") GF !C C R E E K Love&WhiteDitc hHo llin gsworthPotter Ditc h M c K e n zie D itc h B R U S H S A LT CREEKBrush Creek Road HardscrabbleRoad Old Salt Creek Road See Figure 4a for RidgwayBuilding Area details BVROS Recreationand Education BuildingArea extended onto the Property (approximate) PropertyBuilding Area (see Figure 4a) GF BridgeFarm fuel tanks ")Hay stackyard !.Irrigation headgate !C Water wellPublic roadCreekDitch DD Fence !Natural gas pipeline !Overhead powerlineRanch roadBuilding (see Figure 4a for detail)Pond basin World Aerial Imagery (Clarity)Sourced from Esri Online ServerEffective Scale Not a Survey; All Locations ApproximateK 0 0.1 0.2 Miles 1:6,500 Baseline DocumentationReportEagle County, Coloradowww.rareearthscience.comMap by H. Watts | April 2016 1FIGURERegional & LocalLocator Maps A & RRANCH Baseline Documentation ReportEagle County, Coloradowww.rareearthscience.comMap by D. Reeder | January 2020 4FIGUREImprovements& Features RIDGWAYWEST PARCEL DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DDDDDDDDDDDD DD DD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DD DD DDDDDDDDDDDD DD DD DD DD DD DD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DD DDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DD DD DD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!! !!!! !? EquipmentStorage Loafing shed Barn Small shed Low shed Ranchhouse Shop Granary Logshed Low shed Loafing shed Brush Creek Road !?Farm fuel tanks DD Fence !Overhead utilityRanch roadBuilding World Aerial Imagery (Clarity)Sourced from Esri Online ServerEffective Scale All Locations ApproximateK 0 100 200 Feet 1:1,200 Baseline DocumentationReportEagle County, Coloradowww.rareearthscience.comMap by H. Watts | April 2016 1FIGURERegional & LocalLocator Maps A & RRANCH Baseline Documentation ReportEagle County, Coloradowww.rareearthscience.comMap by D. Reeder | January 2020 4aFIGUREImprovements & FeaturesBuilding Area Detail RIDGWAYWEST PARCEL PropertyBuilding Area DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Pee Jme PPm Pe Qg Qgo Pee Tbb Tbb Tbb Pee KJde Kc Kp Pe TrPcs JmeTrc Trc Trc Kd Kc Kc PPm KJde Kc Kp Property Generalized (500K Scale) Geology Jme | Morrison Fm and EntradaSandstone KJde | Dakota, Purgatoire, Morrison,Ralston Creek, and Entrada Fms insoutheast. Dakota, Morrison, and E*Kc | Colorado Group Kd | Dakota Sandstone or Group Kp | Pierre Shale, undivided PPm | Maroon Fm PPwm | Weber Sandstone and MaroonFmPe | Eagle Valley Fm Pee | Eagle Valley Fm - evaporitic facies Qg | Gravels and alluviums Qgo | Older gravels and alluviums Tbb | Basalt flows and associated tuff,breccia, and conglomerate of late-volcanic bimodal suite TrPcs | Chinle And State Bridge Fms Trc | Chinle Fm World Aerial ImagerySourced from Esri Online ServerEffective Scale All Locations ApproximateK 0 1 2 Mile 1:50,000 Data Source: Green, G.N., 1992, TheDigital Geologic Map of Colorado inARC/INFO Format: U.S. GeologicalSurvey Open-File Report 92-0507, 9 p.http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1992/ofr-92-0507 Baseline DocumentationReportEagle County, Coloradowww.rareearthscience.comMap by H. Watts | April 2016 1FIGURERegional & LocalLocator Maps A & RRANCH Baseline Documentation ReportEagle County, Coloradowww.rareearthscience.comMap by D. Reeder | August 2019 5FIGUREGeologicMapRIDGWAYWEST PARCEL DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 55114 42 13 90 13 42 Property 13 | Atencio-Azeltine complex, 3 to 6percent slopes 42 | Fluvaquents, 0 to 10 percent slopes 55 | Gypsum land-Gypsiorthids complex,12 to 65 percent slopes 90 | Mussel loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes 114 | Yamo loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes World Aerial ImagerySourced from Esri Online ServerEffective Scale All Locations ApproximateK 0 0.1 0.2 Mile 1:9,000 Soils mapping from U.S. Department ofAgriculture, Natural ResourcesConservation Service, Soil SurveyGeographic (SSURGO) database forAspen-Gypsum Area, Colorado, Partsof Eagle, Garfield, and Pitkin Counties(December22, 2013; dataset co655),at http://SoilDataMart.nrcs.usda.gov/ Baseline DocumentationReportEagle County, Coloradowww.rareearthscience.comMap by H. Watts | April 2016 1FIGURERegional & LocalLocator Maps A & RRANCH Baseline Documentation ReportEagle County, Coloradowww.rareearthscience.comMap by D. Reeder | January 2020 6FIGURESoilsMapRIDGWAYWEST PARCEL DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 C R E E K Love&WhiteDitc hHo llin gsworthPotter Ditc h B R U S H S A LT CREEKProperty Creek Ditch Riparian-wetland complex Irrigated meadow Ruderal Driveway/road World Aerial ImagerySourced from Esri Online ServerEffective Scale All Locations ApproximateK 0 0.1 0.2 Mile 1:6,300 Baseline DocumentationReportEagle County, Coloradowww.rareearthscience.comMap by H. Watts | April 2016 1FIGURERegional & LocalLocator Maps A & RRANCH Baseline Documentation ReportEagle County, Coloradowww.rareearthscience.comMap by D. Reeder | January 2020 7FIGUREVegetationCommunitiesRIDGWAYWEST PARCEL DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Bald Eagle(State Speciesof Concern)Range Property Roost Sites Summer Forage Winter Forage Winter Range USGS Hillshade Topographic MapSourced from Esri Online ServerEffective Scale All Locations ApproximateK1:100,000 Great Blue Heron &Wild Turkey Ranges Property Heron Foraging Area Turkey Production Area Turkey Winter Range Turkey Overall Range 0 1.5 3 Miles Data Source: CPW Public SAM GIS Datafrom Esri Online Server Baseline DocumentationReportEagle County, Coloradowww.rareearthscience.comMap by H. Watts | April 2016 1FIGURERegional & LocalLocator Maps A & RRANCH Baseline Documentation ReportEagle County, Coloradowww.rareearthscience.comMap by D. Reeder | January 2020 8FIGURESelected BirdSpecies Ranges RIDGWAYWEST PARCEL DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Elk Range Property Migration Patterns Highway Crossings Summer Range (entire map area) Production Migration Corridors Severe Winter Range Winter Concentration Winter Range USGS Hillshade Topographic MapSourced from Esri Online ServerEffective Scale All Locations ApproximateK1:100,000 Mule Deer Range Property Migration Patterns Highway Crossing Concentration Area Summer Range (entire map area) Limited Use Area Resident Population Area Migration Corridors Severe Winter Range Winter Concentration Area Winter Range 0 1.5 3 Miles Data Source: CPW Public SAM GIS Datafrom Esri Online Server Baseline DocumentationReportEagle County, Coloradowww.rareearthscience.comMap by H. Watts | April 2016 1FIGURERegional & LocalLocator Maps A & RRANCH Baseline Documentation ReportEagle County, Coloradowww.rareearthscience.comMap by D. Reeder | January 2020 9FIGUREElk & MuleDeer Ranges RIDGWAYWEST PARCEL DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 Rare Earth Science, LLC DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHS (Keyed to Figures 3 and 3a) Photopoint (PPT) Coordinates, UTM NAD83 Zone 13 (m) PPT Easting (X) Northing (Y) PPT Easting (X) Northing (Y) 1 347770.8 4387142.1 21 348687.7 4386427.3 2 347780.7 4387244.9 22 348642.5 4386393.9 3 347952.4 4387209.8 23 348604.7 4386375.7 4 347967.0 4387187.9 24 348732.8 4386364.4 5 348017.0 4387235.5 25 348756.0 4386370.4 6 348022.6 4387190.4 26 348779.0 4386104.4 7 348248.9 4387232.6 27 348727.2 4386127.3 8 348268.0 4387172.4 28 348690.8 4386010.5 9 348159.1 4387032.0 29 348612.8 4386015.3 10 348031.3 4386889.6 30 348547.1 4386040.6 11 348273.0 4386931.1 31 348639.7 4386117.6 12 348398.6 4387011.6 32 348522.5 4386215.2 13 348594.5 4386781.7 33 348406.2 4386272.0 14 348626.3 4386739.4 34 348406.2 4386311.5 15 348406.8 4386795.2 35 348483.2 4386278.3 16 348307.1 4386625.1 36 348487.8 4386268.6 17 348475.8 4386641.3 37 348522.7 4386290.1 18 348492.2 4386676.0 38 348466.4 4386309.0 19 348529.2 4386626.1 39 348481.9 4386335.1 20 348610.0 4386541.1 40 348521.5 4386362.9 DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Photopoint 1. Looking north from Brush Creek Road at a gravel road leading into the existing adjacent Open Space land (8/22/19). Photopoint 2. Looking east along the property’s north boundary from its northwest corner (8/22/19). Photopoint 1. Looking northeast through southeast (left to right) across the north part of the property from Brush Creek Road (8/22/19). Ridgway West Parcel Conservation Easement Baseline Documentation Report DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Photopoint 3. Looking northwest at the old pond basin near the north property boundary and east of Brush Creek (8/22/19). Photopoint 4. Looking south-by-southwest across the Brush Creek corridor in the north part of the property (8/22/19). Photopoint 5. Looking south from near the north property boundary along the faint road that follows the Love & White Ditch (8/22/19). Photopoint 6. Looking south-by-southeast in the north part of the property at an upland shrubland east of the Brush Creek corridor (8/22/19). Ridgway West Parcel Conservation Easement Baseline Documentation Report DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Photopoint 7. Looking southeast through west (left to right) from near the property’s northeast corner across the northeast hay meadow (8/22/19). Photopoint 8. Looking southwest at a knapweed infestation in a drainage pattern cutting across the northeast hay meadow (8/22/19). Photopoint 9. Looking northeast toward a fenced hay stackyard east of the Brush Creek corridor in the north part of the property (8/22/19). Ridgway West Parcel Conservation Easement Baseline Documentation Report DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Photopoint 9. Looking east-by-southeast along the ranch road east of Brush Creek in the north-central part of the property (8/22/19). Photopoint 9. Looking southwest along the overhead utility alignment that crosses Brush Creek in the north part of the property (8/22/19). Photopoint 10. Looking northwest through southeast (left to right) from Brush Creek Road across the Brush Creek corridor in the north-central part of the property (8/22/19). Ridgway West Parcel Conservation Easement Baseline Documentation Report DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Photopoint 11. Looking southeast through northwest (left to right) across the Brush Creek riparian corridor in the north-central part of the property from an internal fenceline (8/22/19). Photopoint 11. Looking northwest along the ranch road in the north- central part of the property (8/22/19). Photopoint 11. Looking east from the ranch road at weeds in the north- central part of the property (8/22/19). Ridgway West Parcel Conservation Easement Baseline Documentation Report DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Photopoint 12. Looking southeast through northwest (left to right) across the northeast irrigated hay meadow from beneath the Hollingsworth Potter Ditch near the east property boundary (8/22/19) Photopoint 13. Looking southeast through northwest (left to right) across the south part of the northeast irrigated hay meadow from the Hollingsworth Potter Ditch near the east property boundary (8/22/19). Ridgway West Parcel Conservation Easement Baseline Documentation Report DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Photopoint 15. Looking northwest through southeast (left to right) across the irrigated meadow in the central part of the property between the Brush Creek corridor and Love & White Ditch (8/22/19). Photopoint 13. Looking southeast at one of several irrigation turnouts along a buried segment of the Hollingsworth Potter Ditch (8/22/19). Photopoint 14. Looking south along a piped segment of the Hollingsworth Potter Ditch along the east property boundary (8/22/19). Ridgway West Parcel Conservation Easement Baseline Documentation Report DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Photopoint 16. Looking northwest through southeast (left to right) across the west irrigated hay meadow from Brush Creek Road and the west property boundary (8/22/19) Photopoint 17. Looking southeast at the Love & White Ditch headgate on Brush Creek in the central part of the property (8/22/19). Photopoint 17. Looking southeast at the rock diversion for the Love & White Ditch headgate on Brush Creek (8/22/19). Ridgway West Parcel Conservation Easement Baseline Documentation Report DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Photopoint 18. Looking southwest (upstream) along the Love & White Ditch from near its diversion on Brush Creek (8/22/19). Photopoint 19. Looking northwest at a hay stackyard in the central part of the property (8/22/19). Photopoint 20. Looking south-by-southeast at a ranch road leading to the irrigated meadows in the northeast part of the property (8/22/19). Photopoint 21. Looking southeast from the east property boundary at the driveway leading from Brush Creek Road across the property (8/22/19). Ridgway West Parcel Conservation Easement Baseline Documentation Report DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Photopoint 22. Looking south-by-southeast at Brush Creek from the driveway bridge (8/22/19). Photopoint 22. Looking north-by-northwest at Brush Creek from the driveway bridge (8/22/19). Photopoint 23. Looking south at a pasture between the building area and Brush Creek and south of the driveway (8/22/19). Photopoint 23. Looking north-by-northwest at a pasture between the building area and Brush Creek and north of the driveway (8/22/19). Ridgway West Parcel Conservation Easement Baseline Documentation Report DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Photopoint 23. Looking southwest along the driveway toward the building area (8/22/19). Photopoint 24. Looking north-by-northwest at a small dilapidated shed outside the building area and near the east property boundary (8/22/19). Photopoint 25. Looking east through northwest (left to right) across the irrigated meadow in the southeast part of the property from the Hollingsworth Potter Ditch bank (8/22/19). The dilapidated shed is on the far right. Ridgway West Parcel Conservation Easement Baseline Documentation Report DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Photopoint 27. Looking south through north (left to right) at the Salt Creek corridor and the southeast irrigated hay meadow (8/22/19). Photopoint 26. Looking southeast at the Hollingsworth Potter Ditch headgate on Salt Creek in the near the east property boundary (8/22/19). Photopoint 26. Looking north-by-northwest at along the Hollingsworth Potter Ditch from near its headgate on Salt Creek (8/22/19). Ridgway West Parcel Conservation Easement Baseline Documentation Report DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Photopoint 28. Looking west along the south property boundary; Old Salt Creek Road is on the left (8/22/19). Photopoint 28. Looking northwest toward the Salt Creek corridor from Old Salt Creek Road and the property’s south boundary (8/22/19). Photopoint 28. Looking northeast toward the Salt Creek corridor from Old Salt Creek Road and the property’s south boundary (8/22/19). Photopoint 28. Looking east along the property’s south boundary; Old Salt Creek Road is on the right (8/22/19). Ridgway West Parcel Conservation Easement Baseline Documentation Report DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Photopoint 29. Looking north-by-northeast at Brush Creek from the Old Salt Creek Road bridge near the south property boundary (8/22/19). Photopoint 29. Looking west at the Old Salt Creek Road bridge over Brush Creek near the south property boundary (8/22/19). Photopoint 30. Looking northwest through southeast (left to right) from near the southwest property corner across the southwest irrigated hay meadow (8/22/19). Brush Creek Road is on the left. Ridgway West Parcel Conservation Easement Baseline Documentation Report DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Photopoint 31. Looking west through northeast (left to right) across the southwest irrigated hay meadow from near the west bank of Brush Creek (8/22/19) Photopoint 32. Looking north-by-northwest toward the building area (8/22/19). Photopoint 32. Looking west-by-southwest in the irrigated pasture south of the building area (8/22/19). Ridgway West Parcel Conservation Easement Baseline Documentation Report DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Photopoint 33. Looking north-by-northwest through south-by-southeast (left to right) at the entrance to the building area from Brush Creek Road; the residence is on the left (8/22/19) Photopoint 34. Looking north-by-northeast at the log shed in the building area (8/22/19). Photopoint 34. Looking south-by-southwest at the rear of the residence in the building area (8/22/19). Ridgway West Parcel Conservation Easement Baseline Documentation Report DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Photopoint 34. Looking east-by-northeast toward agricultural outbuildings in the building area from near the residence (8/22/19). Photopoint 35. Looking west at farm fuel tanks in the building area (8/22/19). Photopoint 37. Looking north at paddocks and livestock lanes in the building area; the loafing sheds are in the distance (8/22/19). Photopoint 36. Looking east-by-southeast at the shop and granary in the building area (8/22/19). Ridgway West Parcel Conservation Easement Baseline Documentation Report DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Photopoint 38. Looking north at the barn and small shed in the building area (8/22/19). Photopoint 38. Looking northeast at the driveway that crosses through the building area (8/22/19). Photopoint 38. Looking west in the building area from south of the barn; the log shed is in the middle distance on the right (8/22/19). Photopoint 38. Looking southeast toward the shop and farm fuel tanks in the building area (8/22/19). Ridgway West Parcel Conservation Easement Baseline Documentation Report DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Photopoint 39. Looking northeast at one of two low sheds in the building area (8/22/19). Photopoint 40. Looking south-by-southwest at paddock fences (poor condition) and stock tank in the the building area (8/22/19). Photopoint 40. Looking northeast at the second of two loafing sheds in the building area (8/22/19). Photopoint 40. Looking northwest at one of two loafing sheds in the building area (8/22/19). Ridgway West Parcel Conservation Easement Baseline Documentation Report DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 Baseline Documentation Report Ridgway West Parcel June 22, 2020 Rare Earth Science, LLC ATTACHMENT A DHM Design Ecological Site Analysis DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62 DocuSign Envelope ID: 49F2018E-9091-4076-8CEA-80CD61F0FC62