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• 2. Grassland (pasture) - Areas of abandoned pasture comprised largely of wheatgrass <br />(Aoropvron sp.), brome (Bromus sp.), fescue (Festuca sp.), plantain Planta o sp.) and alfalfa <br />(Medicago sativa). <br />3. Agricultural - Primarily monocultures of alfalfa. <br />4. Juniper - A small community of Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma). <br />5. Riparian -A small community along an irrigation ditch characterized by common cattail (Typha <br />latifolia) and baltic rush Juncus balticus). Several narrowleaf cottonwood Po ulu <br />anoustifolia), plains cottonwood Po ulus sargentii), Chinese elm Ulmus parviflora), and <br />saltcedar tamarisk Tamarix sp.) trees occurred along this type. <br />A more detailed description of these vegetative communities is found in Attachment 2.05.6(2) <br />(formerly Peabody Addendum 10-1) and on Map 2.04.10-1. <br />The wildlife studies are detailed in Section 2.04.11. Game animals sited on or near the study area <br />were mule deer, desert cottontail, ring-necked pheasant, and, potentially, mourning doves. <br />• The mule deer are utilizing the more densely wooded Pinyon -Juniper slopes to the north and east <br />of the permit areas on a year-round basis. The deer utilize the permit area primarily for browsing. <br />The desert cottontails utilize the shrubs and subshrubs of the study area for both browse and <br />cover. Pheasants and mourning doves are both highly adapted to agricultural activities, using the <br />farmland for feeding and the shrubs along fence rows for cover. <br />Carnivorous species include the coyote (Canis latrans), striped skunk Me hitus mephitus), and <br />red fox ul es fulva). Raptors include Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cop erii), red-tailed hawk Buteo <br />iamaicensis), and American kestrel Falco sparverius). All of these species utilize a wide variety <br />of habitats and adapt readily to human activity. For example, the striped skunk will build dens <br />under buildings and the American kestrel will nest on buildings. The small mammals and songbirds <br />identified during baseline studies are all common to agricultural areas, as well as grass and shrub <br />lands that predominate in the area. <br />Land Use <br />Premining land use has been primarily agricultural, both as pasture and hay production. Wildlife <br />use has been of secondary importance. Postmining land use plans (as described in Section <br />0 <br />(Revised March 2006) 2.05.6(2)-4 <br />