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parameter, coarse fragment content,was estimated in the field and is recorded on the pedon <br /> forms. Suitable depths of topsoil salvage for each test pit location, together with estimated <br /> salvage volumes for each soil type, are shown on Map 2.04.9-3 of the application. <br /> Vegetation - Section 2.04.10 of the permit <br /> The natural vegetation in the Nucla area is pinyon-juniper woodland and sagebrush shrub land. <br /> More than 100 years of intensive agriculture in the area has resulted in there being only scattered <br /> remnants of the native vegetation types. Prior to agricultural conversion, sagebrush shrub lands <br /> occupied the park-like areas with deeper soils and more gentle slopes, while the more broken <br /> upland areas with shallow, coarse textured soils were occupied by the pinyon-juniper woodlands. <br /> In the baseline survey, six major plant community types were delineated within the NHN area, as <br /> shown on Map 2.04.10-1 Permit Area Vegetation Map. The six types are: Topsoiled <br /> Reclamation (REC), Big Sagebrush (SB), Irrigated Pasture (IP), Dryland Pasture (DP), <br /> Intensively Managed Irrigated Pasture (IMIP), and Wetlands (WET). The pre-mine area was <br /> intensively developed for agricultural uses, and also includes minor acreages of roads, <br /> residential/agricultural disturbances, and livestock ponds. <br /> Following delineation of the plant community types,transects for sampling were generated. <br /> Plant cover, production, and shrub density were evaluated along each transect. Vegetation <br /> sampling was conducted for the mining area between October 2008 and August 2009, and for the <br /> equipment corridor between August and November 2009. Reference areas intended for use in <br /> evaluating the revegetation success of irrigated Pasture and Dryland Pasture were also sampled. <br /> The Intensively Managed Irrigated Pasture on the Garvey property was sampled twice more, in <br /> June 2010 and June 2011, with the intention of using the historical production as the revegetation <br /> success standard for this type. Map 2.04.10-2 shows the vegetation communities existing on <br /> lands surrounding the permit area. <br /> The potential for impacts to threatened or endangered plant species was investigated by ERMR, <br /> and they conclude that the unique habitat types associated with these species are lacking for this <br /> area. None of the species were encountered, and they determined that it is highly unlikely for <br /> them to be found at the NHN Mine site. As new information becomes available which might <br /> change status and direction of the wildlife resources, ERMR commits to consult with appropriate <br /> agencies to modify the scope and focus of mitigation requirements contained in Section 2.05.6 of <br /> the permit. <br /> Fish and Wildlife-Section 2.04.11 of the permit <br /> A large variety of wildlife utilize the area surrounding the NHN including coyotes, fox, mule <br /> deer, elk(in the winter) and numerous bird species. No federally listed threatened or endangered <br /> plant or animal species or any critical habitats of such species are known to occur in the mining <br /> area. No state listed threatened or endangered plant or animal species or any critical habitats of <br /> such species are known to occur in this area. However, there is the potential that the Burrowing <br /> Owl (threatened species in Colorado)might be found in this area and a special monitoring plan <br /> with operational considerations has been implemented to address this species. <br /> 13 <br />