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

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Based on data obtained in this study, the carrying capacity of the Reclaimed Pasture Vegetation Type within the proposed permit area is 2.18 AUMs/acre. Cropland The croplands within the proposed permit area exist on nearly all the tillable uplands. Historically, the sagebrush vegetation type dominated the land area now supporting croplands. The use of cropland is divided into two management practices. One is for the harvest of cereal grains, mainly wheat, and the other is hay production. Cereal grain crop rotation practices alternate between winter wheat and summer fallow. Cropland vegetation type occupies 15.1 percent of the proposed permit area. As identified on Table 24, Vegetation -Soil Correlation, and Table 33, Characteristics of Soils Underlying the Cropland and Pasture Vegetation Types, several soils are found below the croplands of the proposed permit area. These soils are usually deep, always well -drained, and most often developed from shale parent material. Soil permeability ranges from very slow (predominant) to moderately -rapid, while the available water capacity exhibits a broad range from very -low to high. Land capability subclasses of these soils are either VIe or VIIe (see land use discussion under Rule 2.04.3 for further information regarding land capability subclasses). Pursuant to Rule 4.15-9, only the parameter of productivity needs to be addressed for areas reclaimed as cropland. Cropland productivity for the Twentymile Park area is discussed in response to Rule 2.043(2). TCC will use the average hay production yield of Routt County to evaluate revegetation success. The average production for alfalfa and other hays is 1.6 tons/acre (Table 1, Routt County Recent Historical Cropland Statistics). Because croplands are not used primarily for grazing, livestock utilization is kept to a minimum by the landowners. Grain stubble and aftermath is infrequently grazed in the spring or fall by cattle and sheep. Mountain Shrub The mountain shrub vegetation type dominates the more harshly exposed steep slopes within the proposed permit area and, as such, is only found as a few isolated stands. The mountain shrub vegetation type currently occupies 5.3 percent of the proposed permit area, or 695 acres. No surface facilities or other disturbance due to mining will occur within this community, therefore, no reference area is necessary. As identified on Table 24, Vegetation -Soil Correlation, and Table 34, Characteristics of Soils Underlying the Mountain Shrub Vegetation Type, several soils are found below the mountain shrub community. These soils are predominately well -drained, range from shallow to deep, and are most often developed from sandstone parent material. The permeability of these soils is variable ranging from very -slow to moderately -rapid, but is typically moderate to moderately -slow. The available water capacity ranges from very -low to high, with no clear trends discernible. The land capability subclass of these soils is most often VIe (see land use discussion under Rule 2.04.3 for further information regarding land capability subclasses). As identified on Table 35, Mountain Shrub Vegetation Type, the shrub stratum is dominated by mountain big sagebrush with 13.7 percent ground cover and 80.88 g/m' production, mountain snowberry Q=horicarpos oreo hilus with 11.3 percent ground cover and 14.82 g/mZ production, Gambel's oak with 3.4 percent ground cover and 32.00 g/m2 production, antelope bitterbrush hia tridentata with 3.1 percent ground cover and 5.03 ghnZ production, and Utah serviceberry (Amelanchier utahensis with 3.0 percent ground cover and 12.13 g/mZ production. The understory consists mainly of letterman needlegrass (Stipa lettermanii), Kentucky bluegrass, Idaho fescue, thickspike wheatgrass (Agropvron dasystach) uml, and oneflower helianthella (Helianthella uniflora accounting for 7.6, 6.6, 3.3, 3.1, and 2.5 percent of the ground cover and 1.55 g/m2, 31.87 g/m2, 6.38 g/mZ, 4.16 g/mZ, and 3.18 g/mZ production, respectively. TR05-51 2.04-58 12/07/05