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Rule 1: Permits <br />The grassland community is dominated by blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis). This community lies in the <br />open meadows in the northern half of the property and along the valley floors of the various canyons within <br />the permit area. <br />The pinyon/juniper woodland community is dominated by pinyon pine, Utah juniper (Juniperus <br />osteospermo),andone-seedjuniper(Juniperusmonosperma). Thiscommunityliesalongthemountain <br />flanks, escarpments, and low mesas that occur within the northern and eastern parts ofthe property. This <br />community does not occur in the permit azea. <br />Hay meadows are dominated by alfalfa (Medicogo saliva) and timothy (Phleum pratense). This <br />community lies on the floodplains associated with the Purga[oire River along the northern edge of the pemut <br />area. This community is cultivated, irrigated, and hayed from May to September each year. <br />Riparian communities are located along the edges ofperennial, intemvttent, and ephemeral drainages within <br />the permit boundary. These communities were specifically observed along Lorencito Creek and the <br />Purgatove River. These communities were characterized by coyote willow (Sa/ix exigua) monocultures, <br />sedge and rush sediment and mud flats, and riparian woodlands. The willow communities were wnfined <br />to the Purgatoire River edges where hydrology is constant and flows fluctuate during the year. Sedge and <br />rush communities were limited to knobs and higher floodplains with appropriate hydrology. <br />• The mountain shrub community is dominated by mountain mahogany (Cercocarpos montana), skunkbrush <br />(Rhus trilobata), Gambel oak, chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), and Wood's rose (Rosa woodsii). This <br />community lies along the transition zones between the other vegetation types. <br />Maps depicting the extended reference area locations are provided in the V egetation Technical Report. <br />Quantitative Sampling Results <br />Four vegetation community types, including oak/pinyon, grassland, riparian, and hay meadow, were <br />identified within the proposed disturbance areas. Disturbance to riparian habitat is limited to creek <br />crossings in Lorencito Creek and no sampling was conducted. The hay meadow would be disturbed by <br />acoalloadoutfacilityandaccessroadupgrades. Thisdisturbancewouldbeaboutsevenacres.Production <br />for this community is based on Las Animas County standards. Disturbance was originally proposed in the <br />coniferous forest community, however, these facilities are not currentlyproposed. Sampling was conducted <br />and the data aze presented for future use as necessary. Grassland and oak/pinyon sampling data are <br />provided in the following sections. The mountain shrub and pinyon/juniper communities will be <br />quantitatively sampled prior to mine related disturbance. <br />• I,ursnctloPmi-Phfr~~]5)lu1y3001 wptl 2.04-45 (revised 07/25/01) <br />~~' °~ <br />