Laserfiche WebLink
Climate <br />The climate of the region has the characteristics of a continental highland region: low <br />precipitation, large fluctuations in diurnal temperatures, low humidity, moderate wind, and high <br />levels of exposure to sunlight. Annual precipitation is generally between 16 and 19 inches based <br />on records from the Seneca II -W Mine. <br />Vegetation <br />Vegetation in the permit area is predominantly sagebrush grassland, mountain brush, and <br />reclaimed mine lands. The disturbance area of the PSCM contains reclaimed lands, and <br />previously undisturbed sagebrush/grassland vegetation. <br />Land Use <br />Rangeland (sheep and cattle grazing) is the dominant land use in the permit area and adjacent <br />area. Other land uses are: cropland (hay fields), wildlife habitat, industrial/commercial (mining, <br />oil wells, electric transmission lines), developed water resources (reservoirs), recreation (hunting <br />and wildlife viewing) and residential. The approved postmining land uses for the PSCM are <br />rangeland, wildlife habitat, and recreational use. <br />Wildlife <br />The PSCM permit area and adjacent area provide habitat for the following types of wildlife: big <br />game, small mammals, upland game birds, raptors, breeding birds (song birds), amphibians, <br />reptiles, and fish. Fish habitat is in the Yampa River. The following vegetation communities <br />provide habitat for birds and mammals: grasslands, sagebrush shrub lands, mountain brush, and <br />isolated pockets of aspen and coniferous forest. Potential raptor nesting habitat is provided by <br />cliffs and rock outcrops and scattered box elder and cottonwood trees. Habitat for all types of <br />wildlife is provided in mesic bottomlands and riparian areas that occur along larger drainages, <br />and by wetland vegetation that occurs around ponds and impoundments. <br />The PSCM permit area adjoins a reclaimed mine, the Yoast Mine (C1994082) and will <br />incorporate a portion of the reclaimed Seneca II Mine (C1982057). Annual wildlife monitoring <br />was conducted for the two reclaimed mines from 1994 to 2007. Wildlife baseline studies were <br />conducted for PSCM in 2008. Details of the wildlife studies are in Exhibit 2.04.11 E1 of the <br />permit application. Wildlife observed during the monitoring and baseline studies included big <br />game, upland game birds, raptors, breeding birds (song birds), and small mammals. The 2008 <br />baseline survey found 62 bird species, 11 mammal species, and one amphibian species (boreal <br />chorus frog). Bird species diversity was highest in the mountain brush habitat (22 species) and <br />grassland habitat (21 species). The most abundant bird species was the cliff swallow which <br />tended to occur in large flocks and nesting colonies. <br />Tables 2.04.11-T6, permit section 2.04.11, and section 2.05.6 have been updated to reflect <br />changes to species of concern. <br />