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maintained in perennial cover. Over the years, areas have been taken out of crop <br />production and reseeded to perennial vegetation. These lands are identified as improved <br />pasture -upland in the baseline vegetation study for the permit area (see Tab 10). Since <br />1986, large areas of cropland within Routt County have been seeded to perennial vegetation <br />under the CRP program. The CRP program targeted cropland areas that are highly erodible <br />or are contributing to a serious water quality problem (USDA-ASCS 1991). In exchange for <br />a rental payment and cost sharing for seeding provided by the USDA-ASCS, the operator is <br />required to leave the lands in permanent vegetative cover for a period of ten years. <br />During this period, haying and grazing of CRP lands is not permitted. CRP lands are <br />located in and adjacent to the permit area, principally in the northern portion along the <br />haul road corridor. Annual production of perennial vegetation on CRP lands averaged 3542 <br />pounds per acre in 1992 (see Tab 10, Vegetation). <br />There are no prime farmland soils located within the permit area (Tab 9, Soils). Further <br />development of cropland in either upland or lowland areas is restricted due to steep <br />slopes, areal extent of manageable parcels, poor soils, lack of ground water resources, <br />and lack of moisture during the growing season. <br />Pastureland. Pastureland include lands that have been converted from native vegetation <br />and seeded to permanent vegetation in order to improve forage quantity, quality, or <br />utility. These lands may or may not be hayed. Pastureland areas have been identified in <br />the permit area as improved pasture -upland or subirrigated during baseline vegetation <br />studies (see Tab 10, Vegetation). The locations of pastureland areas are shown on Exhibit <br />4-1. The pastureland areas occurring on upland sites appear to have been cropped at some <br />time in the past as evidenced by their configuration and the occurrence of soils and <br />topography typical of currently cropped areas. <br />Species found in pastureland areas are typical of improved pasture and include smooth <br />brome (Bromopsis inermis), timothy (Phleum pratense), intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum <br />intermedium), and creeping bentgrass (Agrostis gigantea). Native species are reinvading <br />all pastureland areas, indicating these areas have been in place for some time. <br />Production for pastureland areas ranges from 1232 pounds per acre in the upland areas to <br />3653 pounds per acre in the lowland areas (Tab 10, Vegetation). A reduction in forage <br />availability is estimated at ten percent due to poor palatability or access. Forage <br />values are generally high for both cattle and sheep. Based on an unavailability factor of <br />10 percent and a proper use factor of 50 percent, stocking for upland areas is .55 <br />4 <br />