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eh <br />ESPEY, HUSTON 6 ASSOCIATES, INC. <br />CJ <br />been cazefully chosen for a number of characteristics including: native to the mine <br />plan area or native to Rio Blanco County; perennial species; long-term revegetation <br />potential; growth on steep slopes; erosion control potential; potential biomass <br />production; cover and food value for mule deer, elk, game and non-game birds, small <br />mammals, cattle, sheep and horses; energy and protein value. The selection process <br />for plant species to be used in final reclamation was facilitated by use of a county- <br />and habitat-specific computer printout developed by the Plant Information Network <br />(PIN) from input of the Colorado State University Depaztment of Range Science, <br />Western Energy and Land Use Team of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the <br />Environmental Protection Agency (copies of the computer printout are attached. -_ <br />as E~ibit I.rl. ) <br />The number of plant species listed for reclamation has been maximized <br />to provide life-fcrm diversity and species diversity, although it must be noted that <br />aiming succession is beyond present state-of-the-art reclamation. Shrub groupings <br />• will be distributed in clumps among the grass and forb understory to optimize edge <br />effect and cover values for wildlife, although it must be noted that this strategy will <br />reduce calculated species diversity index values from what they would be if shrubs <br />were placed randomly among the grass and forb understory. <br />Habitats of unusually high value for wildlife include the aspen and <br />meadows of the mine plan area. The ranchers' ponds are also important but there <br />are enough water sources in the area that no individual pond is considered vital. The <br />aspen azeas (see Plant Community Map, Exhibit K-1) support some mule deer <br />fawning and elk calving and habitat for many species of birds. The meadow areas <br />aze invertebrate production habitats which supply food for birds. The blue grouse <br />preferred-use azeas and the elk wintering area aze also important (see Wildlife <br />Exhibit L-1). The elk wintering azea will probably be deserted during and perhaps <br />after refuse disposal site construction. The elk mitigation measure of habitat <br />enhancement will provide the elk with additional wintering areas as discussed above. <br />The meadow areas will be restored after mining and reclamation has taken place. <br />None of the other high value habitats will be disturbed except by possible <br />0-9 <br />