2020-07-09_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A ‎(5)‎

• Permit No: C1981019A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 7/9/2020
• Section_Exhibit Name: Rule 2 Permits -ST
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

RULE 2 PERMITS
i
Based on the supplemental ground cover values above, it would appear that the sagebrush community
from the Lower Wilson Study Area (63.1%) is denser than the permit-wide sampling of this community
from 1980, 1985, and 1988 once herbaceous vs. total plant cover are factored into the analysis. Most
likely, this modest disparity is due to the amount of mesic sagebrush on the Lower Wilson area in
comparison to the more dominant xeric sagebrush from the remainder of the current permit area.
Aspen Woodland - As indicated on Map 4, the aspen woodland community within the Study Area
occupies 32.63 acres (5.4%) and occurs in only two principal locations. The community exhibits an
overstory of aspen (Populus tremuloides) with an understory dominated by herbaceous species and a
shrub stratum similar to the mountain shrub community. Of particular note is that much of the aspen
overstory in this community is dead or dying owing most likely to the drought that has occurred in
Colorado over the past several years.
A total of 46 species were observed within the aspen woodland community with a distribution of 10
grasses, 28 forbs, and 8 shrubs or trees. Average ground cover of vegetation(2005)within the study area
was 60.7% with 0% rock, 27.7% litter, and 11.6% bare ground exposure. Dominant species included:
Mountain snowberry, blue wildrye (Elymus glaucus), stinging nettle (Urtica gracilis), Mountain brome
(Bromus marginatus), nettleleaf giant hyssop (Agastache urticifolia), and bluegrass. The number of
perennial herbaceous species exhibiting between 3% and 50% relative cover (composition) was
determined to be 3 grasses and 2 forbs.
As indicated on Table 2.04.10-10, in 1988 the herbaceous plant cover of the aspen woodland community
was documented to be 73.0% and production was 772 pounds per acre. Woody plant density for aspen
woodland in 1988 was determined to be 6,370 plants per acre. Of this total, aspen contributed 435 trees
per acre.
Based on the supplemental ground cover values above, it would appear that the aspen woodland
community from the Lower Wilson Study Area (60.7%) is comparable to the permit-wide sampling of
this community from 1988.
Juniper Scrub -As indicated on Map 4,the juniper scrub community within the Study Area occupies only
12.65 acres (2.1%) and occurs in only two principal locations, both of which are in the northeast part of
the study area. The community exhibits an overstory of Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) with an
understory dominated by scattered shrubs (typically mountain big sagebrush) and a thin herbaceous
stratum. The juniper scrub type typically occurs on the thinnest, most skeletal soils found in the study
area. Occasionally,the community occurs without an overstory of juniper owing to past wildfire.
A total of 54 species were observed within the juniper scrub community with a distribution of 11 grasses,
32 forbs, and 11 shrubs or trees. Average ground cover of vegetation (2005) within the study area was
29.2% with 34.2% rock, 12.2% litter, and 24.4% bare ground exposure. Dominant species included:
Montana wheatgrass (Agropyron albicans), Mountain big sagebrush, thrifty goldenweed, prairie
junegrass, beardless bluebunch wheatgrass, and fewflower buckwheat (Eriogonum paucillorum). The
number of perennial herbaceous species exhibiting between 3% and 50% relative cover (composition)
was determined to be 3 grasses and 2 forbs.
Bottomland- As indicated on Map 4, the bottomland community within the Study Area occupies 43.96
acres (7.33%) and occurs in two principal locations. The first of these is along the historic Wilson Creek
floodplain at the northernmost portion of the mining area portion of the study area. The second is along
the disassociated 22 acre haul road crossing area.
South Taylor/Lower Wilson—Rule 2,Page 55 Revision Date: 12/20/19
Revision No.: TR-135