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within the permit area (discussed earlier in this section). These hay fields have similar site <br />conditions and soils as the cropland areas, the majority being mostly Progresso complex soils <br />(Map Unit 30C). <br />5.7 Farmsteads, Orchards, Facilities, and Other Types The remainder of the study area <br />includes farmsteads, orchards, support facilities, roads, ponds, irrigation ditches, and disturbed <br />areas. Because of the intensity of activity in the area, the number of operators within the study <br />area, and the length of time that these activities have been ongoing in the area, a significant <br />amount of the study area is included within this category (approximately 16 percent of the <br />study area and 8 percent of the permit area). <br />There are eleven active farmsteads or homesites within the study area and three inactive or <br />abandoned farmsteads. Five farmsteads or homesites occur within the permit area. The size <br />of these range from over three acres down to less than one acre and include buildings, yards, <br />corrals and other support facilities (see Attachment 2.04.10 -8, Figure 4 -4, background, and <br />Figure 4 -8, right background, formerly Peabody Appendix 10 -4). In the western half, and a <br />portion of the southeast corner of the study area, the farmsteads and homesites have been <br />established on the better soils and more gentle topography of the study area. The remainder <br />are located on poorer soils that tend to be rocky and shallow, though the topography tends to <br />be relatively gentle. Vegetation in these areas consists of a variety of annual and perennial <br />exotic species, as well as remnant examples of the native plant populations. Dominating the <br />vegetation are large native and exotic shade trees, as well as ornamental and exotic shrubs. <br />Attachment 2.04.10 -5, formerly Peabody Appendix 10 -1 "Species List" lists the more <br />prominent species found in these areas. A detailed survey for herbaceous species was not <br />conducted in the farmstead areas because of the numerous garden, ornamental, and other <br />exotic species normally found in these areas. <br />Six abandoned orchards occur within the study (see Attachment 2.04.10 -8, midground of <br />Figure 4 -9, formerly Peabody Appendix 10 -4). The dominant species in these orchards is <br />apple (Malus sylvestris), with peach (Prunus persica) and apricot (Prunus armeniaca) also <br />occasionally present. The orchards were established coincidentally with establishment of the <br />Nucla community and mining activities in the Telluride Mining District where much of the <br />harvested fruit was sold to the mining community. By the 1940's the market was essentially <br />August 2013 (PR 08) 2.04.10 -52 <br />