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e ESPEY, HUSTON & ASSOCIATES, INC. because of the lazge azeas involved. Spraying will continue during and after the life of the mine to control these noxious species until temporary and final reclamation successfully prevents noxious weed infestations. 3.3 PRODUCTIVITY OF LAND Portions of the azea to be disturbed by surface facilities associated with the Meeker Area Mines belong to three vegetation communities (see Vegetation Map, Exhibit K-1). The meadow community, consisting primazily of gramanoids, had an average productivity of 2,709 pounds per acre per yeaz in 1979. This community produced 1.5 Animal Unit Months (AUM's) per acre in 1979. The big sagebrush community, consisting primazily of forbs, gramanoids and shrubs (big sagebrush is dominant), had an average productivity of 1,328 pounds per acre per yeaz in 1979. This community produced 0.6 AUM's per acre in 1979. The mountain shrub community, consisting primarily of shrubs, had an average productivity of 926 pounds • per acre per yeaz in 1979. This community produced 0.4 AUM's per acre is 1979. The potential productivity of the land for cropland and rangeland is addressed in the Soils Resources section (Chapter I). 3.4 CAPABILITY OF LAND TO SUPPORT A VARIETY OF USES The land to be disturbed by surface facilities for the Meeker Area Mines and the land already disturbed by construction of the Rienau No. 2 (G-Seam) Mine and the Northern No. 1 (FF-Seam) Mine could not support a variety of other than existing uses. Slopes aze too steep to be economically buildable except for mining (see Exhibits F-1 and F-2). The soils of the relatively flat portions of the azea to be disturbed aze silt-laden and, along with a generally high water table, make foundation characteristics unfavorable. Curtis Creek, an uncertain source of year- round water, is anover-appropriated stream which would make housing development construction highly unlikely. • D-4