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Dowe Flats Quarry Site Description and Future Mining Impact Analysis <br /> 2.8.3 Lowland Grassland <br /> Lowland grassland communities are in low-lying areas with deeper and heavier soils west of the <br /> HiCal Ridge and extending out into the buffer areas. Dominant grass species include western <br /> wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) and streambank wheatgrass (Elymus lanceolatus) along with a <br /> variety of native forbs (Table 1). <br /> Many of these lowland areas are occupied by large populations of black-tailed prairie dogs. <br /> These populations along with historically high grazing pressure have resulted in some areas <br /> within this community having diminished grass cover and a substantial weed cover. One of the <br /> reference locations within the buffer area that is monitored each year for comparison to the <br /> reclaimed areas is in such a prairie dog town. <br /> 2.8.4 Improved Pasture <br /> The irrigated pasture lands on the west side of Dowe Flats are dominated by a mixture of native <br /> and cultivated perennial grass species (Table 1). The European cultivars are considered by some <br /> to improve the grazing and/or hay production of these pastures. Some of these"improved <br /> pastures"have been heavily grazed in some years and some have also been colonized by prairie <br /> dogs. The cumulative effect of foraging by these animals has resulted in an invasion of weedy <br /> plants in some areas. <br /> 2.8.S Riparian <br /> Riparian communities are isolated to narrow strips along the irrigation ditches within the permit <br /> area. The riparian zone along the St. Wain is wider and much more diverse than that along the <br /> irrigation ditches. The irrigation ditches primarily have only riparian tree and shrub species. <br /> Dominant trees in riparian communities include plains cottonwood(Populus deltoides), <br /> narrowleaf cottonwood (Populus angustifolia),peachleaf willow(Salix amygdaloides),boxelder <br /> (Acer negundo), and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia). Dominant shrubs include sandbar <br /> willow(Salix exigua), chokecherry(Prunus virginiana),American plum(Prunus americana), <br /> and hawthorn(Crataegus sp.). <br /> 2.8.6 Other Communities Outside Dowe Flats <br /> Several other communities provide important habitat in the areas immediately adjacent to Dowe <br /> Flats. Upland grassland communities dominate areas with shallower soils such as along the <br /> undisturbed portions of the HiCal Ridge north of Dowe Flats and rockier areas within the buffer <br /> area east and west of Dowe Flats. The upland grassland community is dominated by a mixture of <br /> warm and cool season grasses with a high diversity of native forbs; however, as the lowland <br /> grasslands, many areas have been heavily grazed by cattle and prairie dogs and have developed <br /> patches of weed. On the east side of the buffer areas, some of the upland grassland communities <br /> also have patches of dense shrubs such as mountain mahogany(Cercocarpus montanus) and <br /> skunkbrush sumac (Rhus trilobata)with the occasional American plum, chokecherry, or wax <br /> currant(Ribes cereum). Additionally,the riparian zone along the St. Wain is wider and much <br /> more diverse than that along the irrigation ditches providing wide variety of grasses, sedges, <br /> rushes, and forbs in the understory and habitat for a more diverse wildlife community. <br /> Habitat Management, Inc. 6 May 2, 2022 <br />