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Characteristic vegetation in the Rangely area is determined by moisture, exposure, temperature, and elevation. In the immediate environs, which are best defineq as desert rangeland, the vegeta- tion includes saltbush, shadscale, bud sage, and hardy grasses. In the foothill regions, cover is predominantly comprised of big sagebrush with an understory of 'grasses. Aspen, spruce, and fir are characteristic further up-slope, and arctic varieties of willow, sedge, and clover are found above timberline. In general, the drainage pattern of Rangely is from southeast to northwest. The White River flows westward on a meandering course just north of Rangely. The dra~nage basin of College Canyon Draw, also known as Dragon Wash, is s6uth of the town. The stream enters the town along its southern corporate limits, flowing west and northwest to join the White River. The drainage basin of Coal Mine Draw is also south of town ,and is situated directly to the west of the College Canyon Draw drainage basin. The stream enters the town in the western half of its southern corporate limits, then flows west and northwest tq its confluence with the White River. Rangely rests on a bedrock form~tion of Mancos Shale of the Upper Cretaceous age. This layer is ~ore than 5,000 feet thick, and is essentially a dark grey, calcareous, marine deposit that weathers light grey to yellow brown. Se~enite gypsum is common throughout the formation. The soils of this area have formed under a low- effective annual precipitation. ' Soil-parent materials are mainly calcareous, clayey shales and s4ndstones/ however, sandy and gravelly outwash, windblown sands and silts, and alluvial sedi- ments are also extensive. Surf~oe soils are light colored and range in texture from sandy loam to silty clay. Subsoils are principally clay loam or clay in texture, and have a permeability rate that varies from moderate to slow. Sandy subsoils with a high permeability rate are a minor component within the area. Tourism is of little significance to the town, even though Dinosaur National Park is only 30 miles to the north. Available lodging in Rangely is limited to that requ~red for oilfield workers. However, the town is growing. Based on ~970 and 1980 Bureau of Census population figures of 1,591 andi2,113, respectively, Rangely experienced a 33-percent popula~ion growth in ten years. Today, Rangely has a population of app~oximately 2,500, according to a survey conducted by the Town of'Rangely Department of Community Development. Oil has been the lifeblood of tqe town, but cattle and sheep ranch- ing is also considered important to the economy of this rural community. The town is lookinglforward to further coal and oil development. Other natural res~urces in the Rangely area include rare earths, copper, silver, go~d, thorium, aluminum, low-grade 4