2021-09-03_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (8)

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RULE 2 PERMITS permit area since fences were constructed in 1977. Grazing within the permit boundary may be initiated should Colowyo feel and demonstrate that there will be a benefit to reclaimed lands. Areas where range condition was rated fair was restricted to the areas near water sources, especially stock ponds. These areas concentrated livestock, commonly leading to localized range deterioration. The remainder of lands within the permit area were and continue to be- in "good" range condition. In most cases, the soils within the permit area currently are being utilized for rangeland purposes with the agronomic usefulness of these soils being limited. Additional information on soils is found in Section 2.04.9. Site specific information on productivity of individual plant communities in the Collom Vegetation Study area can be found in Section 2.04.10. Based on information from the Bureau of Land Management, the ability of the vegetation to support domestic animals is broken down as follows: 27.5 acres/AUM (Animal Unit Month) in pinyon juniper vegetation type, seven acres/AUM in sage brush type, 5.5 acres/AUM in mountain shrub type, and 3.5 acres/AUM in the bottomlands that are used for grazing. Hydrological Capability Available ground and surface water supplies in and adjacent to the permit area are limited in quantity and highly variable in quality. No major groundwater discharge points occur in the permit area. Several small seeps do occur as a result of infiltration of snowmelt and rainstorm activity, but these are highly dependent on seasonal precipitation. Groundwater occurrence varies in the mining area and is discussed in 2.04.5 General Description of Hydrology and Geology. Surface water flows are also extremely limited. Two of the surface drainages are intermittent and two are perennial, but yield only slight amounts of water in the post snowmelt runoff period. The semi -arid climate prevailing in the area precludes extensive surface flows and contributes to the highly variable surface water quality found in the permit and adjacent areas. Capability of the Land to Support a Variety of Uses Physical and social constraints at the present time severely limit the variety of uses suitable for lands within the permit area. Alternative Land Uses Because of the hydrologic and soil constraints, there are serious limitations that might be expected if the present land uses of rangeland/fish and wildlife habitat and pastureland are changed to other uses. Aside from edaphic and topographic limitations, residential, industrial, or commercial development appears unlikely due to the remoteness of the permit area from the population centers of Moffat and Rio Blanco counties. Historic population trends in the area reflect a centralization of population in the towns of Craig and Meeker. Recreational opportunities exist in the permit and adjacent areas, primarily involving hunting. In recent years, land owners adjacent to the permit area have been leasing their lands to hunters in increasing numbers. This trend may continue on lands adjacent to the permit area, but the possibility for recreation Collom — Rule 2, Page 7 Revision Date: 4/7/17 Revision No.: RN -07