2018-01-03_PERMIT FILE - C1994082 ‎(10)‎

• Permit No: C1994082
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 1/3/2018
• Section_Exhibit Name: TAB 04 LAND USE
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

suited to sheep grazing. It is estimated that ten percent of the herbaceous production is
unavailable due to access or palatability.
Mesic drainage. The mesic drainage type is found on the dominant ephemeral drainages
which have deep loamy soils and moderately deep groundwater. Associated vegetation types
include aspen and sagebrush. The mesic drainage type is dominated by herbaceous species;
however, snowberry and silver sagebrush (Seriphidium canum) commonly occur in this type.
Potential production in this type is high due to soils and moisture conditions which are
beneficial for plant growth. Forage value is medium to high for sheep and high for
cattle. However, this productive type only occupies about one percent of the permit area.
An estimate of ten percent reduction in forage was assigned due to poor access or
palatability.
Alkali sagebrush/greasewood. This type normally occurs on alluvial and colluvial fans at
the foot of shale slopes along the haul road corridor. Soils tend to be fine textured and
alkaline. Dominant vegetation includes greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus), alkali
sagebrush, and western wheatgrass. Similar to the western wheatgrass/alkali sagebrush
type, this type is best suited to sheep use and spring to early summer grazing. A ten
percent reduction in forage unavailability was assigned to this type.
Alkali meadow. The alkali meadow type occurs on fine textured alluvial soils in drainages
along the haul road corridor. These areas are small and generally isolated by cropland.
Potential production, nearly all herbaceous, is high and rated medium to high in forage
value for sheep and cattle. Available production was reduced by ten percent due to
palatability.
Wildlife Habitat. Tab 11, Wildlife Resources, describes wildlife and habitat found in the
Yoast Mine permit area and surrounding study area. Habitat types closely correspond to
the vegetation types. Principal habitat types include mountain brush, sagebrush, aspen,
and grass-forb meadow. Lesser habitat types include improved pasture, bottomland, CRP,
rock outcrop, and cropland.
Elk (Cereus elaphus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) are common big game species found
on the mine permit area and surrounding region. To a lesser extent, pronghorn
(Antilocapra americana) occur in the more open, lower elevation areas north of the mine
permit area. The Colorado Division of wildlife (CROW) has designated lands encompassing
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