APPCOR11574

• Permit No: C1981071
• IBM Index Class Name: Application Correspondence
• Doc Name: DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING ENVIRONMENT
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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sagebrush). The low production is probably due to low precipitation during
the critical period for plant growth (May); precipitation and temperature
relationships have a strong influence on the total forage production. BY May
1977 only 40% of normal precipitation from the previous September had
occurred. This is less than half of the normal September - May precipitation
(85%) (Climatol~ gical Data, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
This drought condition would also tend to intensify foraging pressure from
rabbits and rodents. Energy Fuels stated chat these animals were responsible
for utilization of some forage prior to sampling. OSM agrees that this was'an
atypical year; in a year with normal precipitation, the Fish Creek vegetation
might have produced as much as 1400 - 1750 pounds of air dry forage per acre.
The Pit 3 seeding production, sampled in August, was 1263 lbs/acre.
Precipitation occurring in July (3.89 inches) and (August 3.09 inches)
possibly stimulated some late seasonal growth. It is difficult without
further data to estimate the total effect of the drought on [he vegetation.
The production estimated by SCS was approximately 1540 pounds per acre of air
dry forage for an unfavorable year. Considering the climatic conditions,
Energy Fuels' production (1263 lbs/acre) is reasonably close to SCS's estimate
(1540 lbs/acre). This data indicates that the earlier revegetation has
potential to equal, or nearly equal, SCS estimates - given a growing season
with normal precipitation.
Because bond was released on these two areas, Energy Fuels Corporation has
demonstrated (prior to SMCRA) that successful grassland reclamation is
possible, under the laws at that time, for the proposed permit area. On basis
of the above discussion, OSM concludes that the proposed mining and
reclamation plan (with stipulations) can be expected to accomplish successful
reclamation in compliance with Subchapter K of the permanent regulatory
program. However, it should be noted that the applicant has not documented
the feasibility of reclmation using trees and shrubs, nor has [he applicant
shown intent to comply with the minimum performance standards in 30 CFR
816.117(c) (See Sections B 6 C, 816.117 Revegetation: Tree and Shrub Stocking
for Forest Land, in this T.A.).
816.111 Revegetation: General Requirements
If the stipulations as proposed in 30 CFR 816.112 - 816.117 are followed, the
applicant will be in compliance with 30 CFR 816.111.
816.112 Use of Introduced Species
The applicant's plan for use of introduced species as outlined in B
(Description of the Applicant's Proposal) complies with 30 CFR 816.112.