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within the south-central portion of the proposed permit area and are typically dominated by smooth brome <br />• (Bronuis inerntis). Those portions of the proposed permit area which have been previously surface -mined are now <br />sustaining successful revegetation efforts toward a diverse managed pasture post -mining land use. Of these <br />reclaimed sites, approximately 620 acres have been released from bond. Proposed facilities are planned to occupy <br />certain portions of reclaimed land still under bond. The bond for these areas will be transferred to the new <br />permit. <br />Topography of the planned permit area typifies high mountain parks of Colorado and is characterized by gently to <br />moderately sloping hills with north and south exposure. The perimeter of the park exhibits steep foothills, and <br />occasionally steep bluffs occur wherever the Twentymile Sandstone outcrops. Elevation of the proposed permit <br />area ranges from 6,600 to 7,600 feet above MSL and averages 6,800 feet above MSL. <br />The proposed permit area is situated in the western Colorado semi -arid middle latitude steppes and is characterized <br />as having a highland continental climate (USDI, BR 1982). This climate condition is typified by heavy snowfall <br />and cold temperatures in the winter months, and moderate summertime temperatures with less than 20 percent of <br />the average annual precipitation occurring during the months of June, July and August. Freezing temperatures can <br />occur during any month of the year resulting in a short growing season. The average growing season extends <br />from ntid-May to mid-September ( 13 1 days), and the period of mean daily temperature greater than 32 degrees F <br />is from late March to mid-November (235 days). Major native plant species begin their grown in mid-April and <br />are in the main phase of growth by mid-May. Peak flowering (anthesis) is usually reached by the first two weeks <br />Of July. Average annual precipitation in the area is approximately 16 inches with 8.1 inches from April to October <br />and 7.9 inches from November to March. More detailed discussion of climate can be found under Rule 2.04.8. <br />METHODOLOGY <br />• Vegetation Manning. <br />A vegetation map of the proposed permit area was prepared at a scale of 1:12,000 and in accordance with Rule <br />2.10. All vegetation types within the proposed permit area and within one kilometer of the boundary are <br />delineated based on the visually dominant perennial species and are presented on Map 18, Premining Vegetation. <br />The location of reference areas are also shown on this map. <br />Mapping of the vegetation types was accomplished by interpretation of aerial imagery, transferring delineations to <br />a topographic map, and field checking interpretations during field studies. Interpretations were made from black - <br />and -white stero-paired aerial imagery at two scales: 1:12,000 and 1:24,000 and then checked against true color <br />imagery at a scale of 1:6,000 and color infrared EROS photography at a scale of 1:15,200. Field reconnaissance <br />prior to mapping on various undisturbed examples of each community provided the photographic diagnostic data <br />necessary for photo -interpretation. Questionable interpretations were field checked by direct observation during <br />the sampling period. <br />Samnline Locations. <br />The vegetation types in areas of proposed facilities were inventoried for species composition, ground cover, <br />current annual productivity, and woody plant density. Sampling sites for plant communities which will be <br />disturbed by surface activities were selected prior to actual field work. Areas of planned surface disturbance, '/. of <br />A sections for the borehole or shaft, a 200 yard strip on both sides of the planned access road, and the entire Fish <br />Creek floodplain, were delineated on a draft vegetation map and overlain by a finely divided grid. Random <br />.numbers identified the x and y coordinates of points on this grid which were then transferred to the field map. <br />Enough points were plotted within each potentially affected community to satisfy expected sampling needs. <br />MR 97-154 2.04-51 Revised 10/02/97 <br />