2018-01-03_PERMIT FILE - C1981010 (9)

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13 3.2.4.5 Home Site Disturbance This vegetation type exists in those areas surrounding the recently removed home site located near the northern boundary of the PR -7 Mine Expansion Area. The home and trailer were recently dismantled and the only remaining evidence of the home site is a barn and associated corrals. The location of this site is labeled as the polygon HS on Map 48A. The total area of the Home Site vegetation type is approximately 2.09 acres and represents 0.26 percent of the PR -7 mine expansion area. No mining disturbance is projected for this vegetation type. 3.2.4.6 Livestock Ponds This vegetation type consists of three small livestock ponds or watering tanks. These sites are devoid of vegetation, because they possess standing water for a sufficient time during the year to drown out even the most water tolerant species. The total area of the Livestock Ponds vegetation type as shown on Map 48A, is 0.17 acres and represents approximately 0.26 percent of the PR -7 mine permit area. No mining disturbance is projected for this vegetation type. 3.2.4.7 Rare and Endangered Plants Examination of the current Federally listed plant species for Moffat County found at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website located at htto://ecos.fws vov/tess oublic/reoorts/soecies-by-current ranae- countvresults in one species, Ute Ladies' Tresses (Splranthes dduvialis) being listed. The Colorado Natural Heritage Program website ('htfoltwww.cnho.colostate.edu/)lists 47 species of potential rare or endangered plant species known to exist in Moffat County. These include: Adiantum capillus -veneris; Allium nevadense, Anticlea vaginatus; Astragalus argophyllus var. martini, Astragalus detritalis (BLM), Astragalus duchesnensis (BLM); Astragalus jejunus, Astragalus ne/sonianus, Astragalus wethefilid (Wetherill Milvetch); Boechera fernaldiana; Boechera glareosa, Bolophyta ligu/ata (BLM); Cirsium ownbeyl, Cymopterus duchesnensis (BLM); Cystopterls utahensis; Drabs oligosperma, Enceliopsis nudicaulls, Epipactis gigantea (USFS); Erigeron nematophyllus, Erigeron wilkenii,Eriogonum acaule (BLM); Edogonum ephedroides (BLM); Eriogonum saurinum, Eriogonum tumulosum (BLM); Eriogonum viridulum (BLM); Fritillada pudica, Juncus bryoldes, Lepidium crenatum (Alkaline Pepperwort); Leptodactylon watsonii, Lewisia redivnra, Limnorchis zothecina; Nuttallia mu/ticaulis, Oenothera acutissima (BLM); Oreocarya breviflora, Oreocarya caespitosa {BLM); Oreocarya rolllnsii (BLM); Oxytropis besseyi var. obnapiformis; Pallaea brewer!, Pallaea glabella ssp. simplex, Penstemon acaulis var. yampaensis, Penstemon gibbensii (BLM); Penstemon scariosus var. cyanomontanus, Sphaeromeria argentea, Sphaeromeria capitata (BLM), Spiranthes diluvialis (Ute ladiesYresses); Townsendia sthgosa (BLM); and Trifolium andinum. According to these documents, only one species (Ute ladies'tresses) has a Federal status of being a threatened taxon (T), meaning that it has been formally listed under the Endangered Species Act. A number of species are considered sensitive by BLM and one by USFS (designated in the above paragraph). All of the above species have a Sensitive designation on the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) list. The habitat descriptions and/or distribution map locations in the CNHP website address the potential occurrence of each of the above 47 species as potential Rare or Endangered Plants on the PR -7 Mine Expansion Area. Based upon this information, there are only two of these species that could potentially occur in this area. These include: Wetherill Milkvetch According to the distribution maps, this species occurs in Moffat County several miles to the north of the Yampa River, also approximately 50 miles to the south in Garfield County. This species is reported to occur in habitats consisting of "steep slopes, canyon benches, and talus under cliffs in sandy clay soils, derived from shale and sandstone." This species grows with sagebrush and juniper at elevations of