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R88W) west of Dry Creek. These areas were taken out of crop production a number of years <br />prior to construction of the Loadout facility. They have been seeded with various <br />introduced species such as smooth brome, intermediate wheatgrass and crested wheatgrass and <br />now function as rangeland. The majority of the disturbance associated with construction of <br />the Loadout occurred in this type of abandoned cropland. North of the Walker Ditch, <br />improved pasture is the primary use. These fields are probably subirrigated but have been <br />irrigated in the past and continue to have that capability. however, management does not <br />appear to be intensive and only ditches in the pasture north of U.S. 40 appear to have had <br />any recent maintenance. <br />Rangeland/wildlife Habitat. Rangeland is present in Dry Creek, areas east of Dry Creek in <br />section 14, and along the rail spur north to the cropland areas in Section 10 (see Exhibit <br />4-1 and Tab 10). These areas are dominated by sagebrush, greasewood and rubber rabbitkrush <br />communities. The topography ranges from alkaline flats to rolling hills. Livestock grazing <br />has been the primary use of these rangeland areas, however the carrying capacity is <br />generally low. Historic grazing pressure has been heavy in the Dry Creek drainage and the <br />adjacent alkaline flats. A variety of wildlife species use the rangeland habitat and seeded <br />cropland areas (see Tab 11). Big game, small game and upland gamebird hunting occurs in the <br />• area. <br />Industrial. With completion of the Loadout facility and rail spur, the primary use in the <br />permit area has been industrial. While operation of the loadout restricted livestock <br />grazing, incidental use by wildlife continued. During temporary cessation of operations at <br />the loadout, livestock grazing was again practiced. Resumption of normal operations will <br />restrict all grazing within the area of the Loadout facility. Inspection of the proposed <br />facility permit area revealed no evidence of previous mining activities. <br />Industrial or commercial land uses in close proximity to the proposed permit area include <br />the Yampa valley Regional Airport situated from 0.25 to 0.75 miles north and east of the <br />permit area, and the Seneca Coal Company's Tie -Across Haul Road situated just south and east <br />of the permit area (see Exhibit 12-1, Facilities Area), and the Routt County Road and Bridge <br />Department maintenance shop located immediately west of the Loadout facility area along <br />existing haul road HGLF-HR-1. <br />Residential. The town of Hayden is situated approximately two miles northwest of that <br />portion of the proposed permit area that contains the loadout facilities (coal handling <br />• facility) and 0.25 miles west of the rail spur (Exhibit 4-1). Scattered single family <br />dwellings <br />TR-07 5 Revised 03106 <br />