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00/ :! 1, ~ I) ,'HJ~ 10: 5li F,\X 9 i 0 :: ~!J :! 8 57 CO D I V. ~v I LD LI FE I t,;hapter :3 - Attected l:nVlronment and E.nVlronmental Consequences I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I { ,I motoriz9d access and activity. Aecreation in the remainder of the area has been limited to hiking and hors~ack until r9cently. Motorized access via ATVs is encroaching into the area, "'"- The 8ig Atkinson Breaks potential RNA includes 6,029 acrl)S of pinyon-juniper woodland, oakbrush and mixed mountain shrubland caller types (West, 1996). The Windy Point Breaks potential ANA, just to the southeast consists of 3,790 acres of high quality examples of aspen forests and oakbrush Cover types ty./est, 1996). Together th9&e potential RNAs contain a nearly complete cross-section of the plant communities found on the steep western slope of the Uncompahgre Plateau. Steep terrain has limited access into these areas to a few rough 4WD roads, and foot and horse trails which follow cattle trails. Two potential RNAs are within the Tabeguache Area designated in the 1993 Colorado Wilderness Bill to be managed "to maintain the area's presently existing wilderness charader". The Tabeguache potential ANA includes 667 acres of ponderosa pine forest at various stages, including old-growtl1 (Johnston. 1991). The Tabeguache Creek potential RNA includes the canyons along Tabeguache Creek and North Fork Tabeguache Creek. This 7,184 acre area includes mountain forest, riparian forest, pinyon-juniper woodland and mixed shrub land cover types over a broad range of elevations (Carsey. 1996). Access is difficult into the canyon areas and only non-motorized and non-mechar.ized travel is allowed in both potential RNAs, due to the special area designation. .~ Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Plant Species " No federally_ U~ted threatened 9J en~l]g.~red -pl~E!_ spec~ate.lQ.!,In(Lon the UNF. The Rocky Mountain Region of the Forest Service has identified sensrlrve plant species that occur witl1in the region (USFS, 1997). Of all the sensitive ptants that are !istoo for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, only' the species listed below are known to occur or have potential habitat on the Uncompahgre National Forest (Spackman. at ai, 1997). Reflected moonwort (Botrychium echo) - This species has been found in San Miguel county near Telluride on gravelly soils, rocky hillsides, grassy slopes and meadows at high elevations of 9.500 to 11,000 feet. ~)D Pale moonwort (Botrychium pallidum) . This species also occurs in San Miguel county. It is found on open exposed hillsides where past disturbances like fire, timber halVest of mining has occurred at high elevations between 9,800 to 10,600 teet. ,""'I ____ t--I" Woolly fleabane (fErigeron lanatus) - This species is found on steep alpine scree ar.d talus slopes between 12,500 to 1.1.500 feet in elevation. Potential habitat occurs on the Mountain Division. 00 Altai cottongrass (Eriophorum altaicum var. neogaeum) - Habitat for this species is in areas of wet peat that are typically alkaline in high elevations between 9~OO to 14,000 feet, on the Mountain Division. \ ~. '0 Colorado tansy-aster (Machaeranth9f!J coloradoeTJ$is) . Habitat occurs on graveKy area$ in mountain parks, slopes and rock outcrops at elevations between 8,.500 b 12,500 feet for this species. Suitable habitat may occur on the Mountain DivisiOn. 3-124 Vegetation ~OOj . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . .. - .. .. . .. . . . .. ..