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SUMMARY (Continued) . 10,000 feet. The greatest amount of precipitation occurs primarily from October through April, with the least in June. Temperatures range from over 100 of in the summer to lower than -20 of in the winter. Snowfall is generally light at the lower elevations, but substantial amounts ac- cumulate at the higher elevations. The unit area is located in a remote, rugged desert area marked by varied scenery and a primeval solitude. After passing scenic Factory Butte, the road to Hanksville Salt Wash enters badlands consisting of funeral-gray shales with almost no vegetation. The arid desert wash contains sparse riparian vegetation in a sandstone and shale setting. Runoff from soils derived from the Blue Gate Member of the Mancos Shale contributes salt in the Emery area and the lower reaches of the Fremont River. Deep percolation and canal seepage through these soils also add to salt loading in the drainage. Saline springs in the Emery South Salt Wash and Hanksvi11e Salt Wash are probably the result of water percolating from the underlying Navajo Sandstone aquifer through the salt- bearing Carmel Formation and emerging to the surface through fractures. . The primary mineral resources in the area are coal, uranium, oil and gas, and tar sands. Extensive coal deposits are located near the town of Emery; some minor deposits are found near Hanksvi11e. Uranium deposits are found around the flanks of the San Rafael Swell and along the eastern side of the Henry Mountains. Oil and gas exploration wells are scattered throughout the area, but little production has been reported. Undevel- oped tar sand deposits are located immediately east of the Dirty Devil River. No mining or exploration is being conducted at Emery South Salt Wash or Hanksvi11e Salt Wash. The vegetation on Factory Butte Bench, overlooking Hanksvi11e Salt Wash, is desert shrub-steppe associations. Saltbush and moundsca1e are the principal vagetation. Contrasting sharply with the bench vegetation, the Msncos shale-clay flats in and around the wash support sparse vegeta- tion, mainly Russian thistle and saltbush. The low density of vegetation gives the appearance the area is void of all plant life. The riparian community in the wash is dominated by sa1tcedar. Coyote willow, sam- phire, common reed, alkali sacaton, and sa1tgrass are also found in the wash. Resident wildlife of the Hanksvi11e Salt Wash area are mule deer, prairie falcons, horned larks, coyotes, desert cottontails, black-tailed jackrabbits, and lizards. The American bison, a resident of the Henry Mountains, has been observed near Factory Butte. Eagles, waterfowl, and other migratory birds are temporary residents during seasonal migration. . Emery South Salt Wash is a braided and intermi ttent desert wash. Salt cedar dominates a sparse vegetative community that also includes samphire and sa1tgrass. Overall the community is a lower quality than the one at Hanksvi11e Salt Wash because of poorer water quality. Wild- life species common to the area include coyotes, the American kestrel, horned larks, and many species of lizard. S-5 002313