C1981008_TR98_TR-98 Submittal Package Consolidated_31207

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Page 2.04.3-3 March 2020 (TR-98) Carbide (now UMETCO) at Uravan is in the final stages of eradication and reclamation. As of 2009, there are some indications that the uranium industry could be active once again in the area. 2.0 Adjacent Land Use Land use adjacent to the New Horizon Permit area is either irrigated agricultural land (irrigated pastureland or irrigated cropland), abandoned cropland or native rangeland used for livestock grazing and wildlife habitat. Specifically, lands to the west and north of the permit area are predominantly irrigated or abandoned irrigated cropland, while lands east of the permit area are predominantly native rangeland, irrigated pasture or residential sites. Lands to the south of the permit area are dominated by both irrigated and abandoned irrigated agricultural land, as well as native rangeland until south of Calamity Draw, where irrigated agricultural land dominates once again. Active cropland and irrigated pasture areas are irrigated because of the very dry climatic conditions experienced in this region. Irrigation water is delivered to the area by the Colorado Cooperative Ditch. Systems of lateral ditches deliver water to the irrigated fields whereupon it is spread on the individual fields. One of these laterals, the West Lateral, bounds or traverses portions of the permit area. Improvements are generally limited to land leveling, where soils are deep enough, or to more efficient delivery/water spreading systems. Agricultural land has been abandoned in several areas because of either poor water availability, poor site characteristics related to topography and flood irrigability or poor economic return. Poorer sites or areas with shallow soils are in irrigated hay/pasture production while the deeper soils areas are in crop production or crop/hay rotations. Crops normally grown are annual grains, alfalfa or corn for silage. Irrigated hay or pasture is predominated by alfalfa with grasses such as smooth brome (Bromus inermis), orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata) or introduced wheat grasses (Agropyron sp.) included in varying degrees of composition to improve forage quality. Native rangeland areas are used for livestock grazing and by wildlife. Classes of livestock in order of importance are cattle, sheep and horses. In terms of land use, the more important wildlife species are mule deer and elk. However, a wide variety of small mammals, predators, passerine and upland game birds, and raptors frequent the area. While mule deer may be found in the immediate area year round, elk are more likely to be found in the area during the winter season after migrating from summer season range located in the adjacent high country. In the fall, the quality of big game hunting and the natural beauty of the area draw a large number of in-state and out-of-state hunters to the area, providing a sizeable boost to the local economy. Both in-permit and out of permit lands of all classes support seasonal wildlife population. Predominant native vegetation types and wildlife habitat include the upland sagebrush, pinyon-juniper, and