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Wildlife <br /> Some of the species that inhabit the project vicinity include deer, antelope, elk mountain <br /> lion, sage grouse, cottontail rabbit, chukars, prairie dogs, coyotes, golden eagles and bald <br /> eagles. Nearby riparian species include sandhill cranes and Canadian geese. The eagles <br /> tend to nest in the tall trees along the Yampa River, but have been noted flying over the <br /> project area. <br /> Most of the upland habitats within the project area are widely distributed through <br /> northwest Colorado. Therefore, the disruption of habitat should have no significant <br /> regional ecological effects. <br /> The permit area has been classified as mule deer critical winter range by the Colorado <br /> Division of Wildlife. Moffat Limestone Company currently has a written agreement with the <br /> Little Snake Resource Area of the BLM to the effect that mining operations during the period <br /> Dec. 1 through March 31 may be curtailed in the event the Bureau determines that the mule <br /> deer habitat is being adversely affected by active operations. <br /> Other species that may inhabit the project area include mourning dove, marmot, badger, <br /> jack rabbit, porcupine, magpie, squirls, and various reptiles and birds. <br /> Soils: <br /> Two major soil types occur within the project area, <br /> A thin brownish layer of limy loam covers portions of the outcropping limestone strata. This <br /> material is partly wind blown and partly the result of surficial disintegration of the <br /> limestone strata. Adjacent to the limestone beds are areas of Quaternary alluvial soils. <br /> The soils are brownish-yellowish sandy loams which have been derived directly from the <br /> Tertiary Browns park formation. These soil zones are several inches deep, and in some <br /> instances blend into in-place Browns Park formations sands and shales. <br /> Vegetation <br /> Most of the project area is classified by vegetation type as"upland sage". Herbaceous <br /> ground cover ranges from 35%to 100%and includes cheatgrass and, to a lesser extent, <br /> une-grass and needle and thread. <br /> Strands of Juniper are common along portions of the project area. The canopy cover is <br /> usually less than 50%. Herbaceous species cover is sparce. Species may include golden <br /> weed, Indian rice grass and Canby bluegrass. <br /> Climate Information <br /> The elevation of the project area ranges from 6300 to 6600 feet above sea level. The <br /> average annual air temperature is 42 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperature extremes <br /> range from more than 30° below zero in the winter to above 100° in the summer. Average <br />