2016-12-23_PERMIT FILE - C1982056A (8)

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(2) If the applicant intends to use reference area(s) to evaluate the success of revegetation as described in 4.15.7(4), the proposed locations of these reference area(s) must be included on the vegetation map. (3) The vegetation map shall include sufficient adjacent areas to allow evaluation of vegetation as important habitat for fish and wildlife for those species of fish and wildlife identified under 2.04.11. An aerial photograph, with the plant communities delineated, may be used in lieu of a vegetation map for this purpose (4) Plant communities shall be described in terms of species composition cover, productivity, and woody plant density. The application shall include a discussion of environmental factors controlling or limiting the distribution of species, such as elevation, slope, aspect soils water, availability, and past management Current condition shall be discussed for each community type or portion thereof if significant differences exist within a type. (5) The potential for impacts to rare and endangered plant species shall be evaluated in accordance with requirements of 2.05.6(2)(a)(iii). RESPONSE An inventory of plant communities was conducted in 1984 on specific vegetation types and corresponding reference areas of TCC's planned Foidel Creek Mine permit area. The proposed permit area is located in Twentymile Park, 15 miles southwest of Steamboat Springs, Routt County, Colorado. Because this mine is an underground operation, investigations concentrated on those plant communities where surface operations or facilities are planned to be located. On a regional basis, the proposed permit area is situated below the Western Spruce -Fir Forest (Picea-Abies) within both the Mountain Mahogany -Oak Scrub (Cercocarpus- uercus complex and the Sagebrush steppe (Artemisia- Agrro 3ffon) vegetation zones (Kuchler 1964). The lower portions of Twentymile Park were historically dominated by a low sagebrush (Artemisia-arbuscula) community which, in many areas, has since given way to cultivated vegetation types and other agricultural practices. Somewhat higher elevations (e.g., foothills of the park) are dominated by big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentate or mountain shrub communities. The highest elevations and/or steep north facing slopes surrounding the park are dominated by aspen (Populus tremuloides), mountain shrub, and occasionally, spruce -fir communities. Within the proposed permit area, existing vegetation is comprised of seven plant communities consisting of aspen, mountain shrub, sagebrush, sagebrush/meadow, pasture, cropland, and meadow. Of these, only four may be disturbed by the surface facilities; sagebrush, sagebrush/meadow, pasture and cropland. A significant portion of the proposed permit area supports cropland and pasture vegetation types. Croplands are usually planted to winter wheat or barley, or if in their rotation, are left fallow. Pastures occur in limited extent MR16-296 2.04-50.4 05/10/16