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(Agrop3lon smithii), mountain brome (Bromus mar ig natus) and green needlegrass (Stipa viridula). <br />Major forbs include lupine (Lupinus caudatus), wild onion (Allium spm.), yarrow (Achillea <br />lanulosa), and arrowleaf balsam root (Balsamorrhiza sagittata). <br />The mountain shrub community is typically found on areas of higher soil moisture and deeper soils <br />throughout the permit area. Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) and Gambel's oak Quercus <br />gambelii) are the dominant overstory species in the community, with fairly dense stands of <br />chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) occurring on north slopes and along drainages. The most <br />abundant grasses are Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), western wheatgrass and needle and <br />thread (Stipa comata). Forbs include lupine, yarrow, bedstraw (Galium ap.) and American vetch <br />(Vicia americana). <br />The aspen communities occur primarily on northwest facing slopes at elevations above 7,400 feet <br />in the South Taylor Pit area of the Mine. Large continuous stands of aspen occurred along the <br />upper portions of the West Fork of the Good Spring Creek in Sections 6, 31 and 32 and on the <br />slopes leading to the East Fork of Wilson Creek in Sections 19 and 20. Aspen accounted for 13.6 <br />percent of the vegetation in the Danforth Hills study area. In the South Taylor Pit disturbance area, <br />aspen communities account for approximately 15 percent of the disturbed area. These aspen <br />communities are concentrated, ranging in size from approximately one acre to 122 acres. The <br />individual communities are shown on Map 4A and 4C of the PAP. More information regarding <br />the aspen communities can be found in Volumes 12 and 15, Section 2.04.10 and in Exhibit 10, <br />Item 5 of the PAP. <br />4.11 Land Use <br />Land use information is found in Sections 2.04.3, 2.05.5, and 4.16 (Volume 1 for the East Pit, West <br />Pit, Section 16 Pit, Facilities Area and Gossard Loadout; Volume 12 for South Taylor Pit; Volume <br />15 for Collom Pit) and Map 17 of the PAP. Specific findings are described in Section B, Item XII <br />of this document. The land use of reclaimed lands is rangeland (4.16, PAP). Wildlife habitat is <br />incidental to reclaimed rangeland as described below under Wildlife. Prior land uses within the <br />permit area were primarily rangeland and wildlife habitat, with some agriculture (not disturbed by <br />the mining activity). Land uses in adjacent areas are primarily rangeland and wildlife habitat. <br />There is some dryland farming on level uplands and small areas of irrigated pasture and hayland <br />along stream courses in the general area. <br />Rangeland on the permit area is characterized as good condition sagebrush and mountain shrub <br />range that, in the past, was variously grazed by either sheep or cattle during the spring, summer or <br />fall. The rangeland also supports substantial populations of mule deer, elk, sage grouse, golden <br />eagles and numerous other wildlife species at various times throughout the year. Post mine land <br />use will support wildlife and livestock utilization. <br />4.12 Wildlife <br />Measures to protect wildlife and related environmental values are presented in Section 4.18 in <br />Revised Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance August 2018 <br />Permit Renewal No. 7 P a g e 118 <br />