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Climate <br /> The region is characterized by a semi-arid climate. The prevailing wind is from the southwest <br /> and average annual precipitation is approximately 17 inches. The length of the growing season <br /> in the area varies from 90 to 110 days. Climate at the loadout is similar to that of the mine site, <br /> but slightly dryer due to lower elevation. <br /> Vegetation and Soils <br /> Vegetative communities in the area of the mine can be separated into two physiognomic types: <br /> the low grassland and riparian communities along the Middle Fork of the Purgatoire River valley <br /> bottom, and forest communities dominating the slopes and upland areas along the river valley. <br /> Communities on the north-facing slope and the river valley were inventoried and found to <br /> contain four distinct vegetative communities at the New Elk Mine area: a Ponderosa pine- <br /> Douglas fir-oak community, a Ponderosa pine-oak community, a grassland community, and a <br /> riparian willow carr community. The Ponderosa pine-Douglas fir-oak community is found on <br /> the north-facing slope above the mine facilities at elevations above 7,600 feet. The overstory <br /> consists of mature Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir with interspersed pinon pine and Rocky <br /> Mountain juniper. The dominant shrub species is Gambel's oak. Vegetative cover is relatively <br /> sparse (12 percent) and productivity is low (62 lb/ac). The Ponderosa pine-oak community <br /> occurs on the north facing slopes above 7,500 feet on the eastern two-thirds of the permit area. <br /> Pure Ponderosa pine stands are interspersed with Gambel's oak,pinon pine, and Rocky Mountain <br /> juniper. Vegetative cover is low (4 percent), as is productivity (44 lb/ac). <br /> The grassland community was inventoried at the adjacent Golden Eagle Mine on a plateau above <br /> the river at 7,200 feet elevation, since no undisturbed grassland communities could be found at <br /> the New Elk Mine. Dominant grass species were blue grama and western wheatgrass, with many <br /> other minor graminoids including a number of forbs. Sage and snakeweed were the dominant <br /> shrubs. Vegetative cover can be characterized as moderate (18 percent), as is productivity (560 <br /> lb/ac). The willow carr riparian community is located in the Purgatoire River drainage at an <br /> elevation of 7,400 feet at the New Elk Mine. The dominant species was willow with a diverse <br /> graminoid and forb understory. Vegetative cover is high (43 percent), as is productivity (2,140 <br /> lb/ac). <br /> Soils in the area range from very shallow on the steep side slopes to deep, well-drained loams <br /> with a dark-colored surface layer found in the valley bottom along the river. <br /> All soils and native vegetation have been previously removed from the loadout site. Weeds and <br /> volunteer species persist, especially on the fringes of the disturbance. The site has no natural <br /> wildlife habitat and the site is fenced to prevent access of domestic animals and big game. <br /> In the PAP, Map 9 depicts soils, and Map 10 depicts vegetation. <br /> Description of the Operation and Reclamation Plans <br /> The existing operation at the time of original permitting consisted of several benches used for <br /> New Elk Mine <br /> November 2019 Findings for RN-07 <br /> 6 <br />