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Larerttila Canyon Mine -Vegetation Techtim( ReOOrt • plants or succulents) at least half-way in the quadrant were clipped and bagged. The contents of the bags were weighed to the nearest 0.1 gram. Sample adequacy was calculated in the field using the Snedecor-Cochran sample adequacy formula described above. Sensitive Species of Plants Information was gathered on sensitive species of plants that may potentially occur within the permit area. Initially, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) were contacted for lists of species and concerns about the mine upon these sensitive species. The USFWS identified no threatened or endangered plants for the permit area, but identified concerns for three species of special concern plants. These plants include Smith whitlow-grass (Dra6a smithit), Colorado green gentian (Frasera coloradensis), and sandhill goosefoot (Chenopodium cyc[oides) (Carlson, 1996). Although special concern species presently have no legal protection under the Endangered Species Act, they were considered within the spirit of the Act and effects to them and their habitats were addressed. CNHP has no sensitive plant concerns for the permit area (Grunau, 1996). SECTION 3 -RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Community Descriptions • Vegetation communities have been mapped within the entire permit area, including those areas not proposed for disturbance. A vegetation community map is presented in Map 2.04.10-1. A plant species list of those species encountered on the site during these investigations is provided in Appendix V-1. Two primary vegetation community types, including oak/pinyon pine and grassland, were identified within the proposed disturbance areas. Two other community types including riparian and hay meadow would have limited dismrbance of less than one acre from road and railroad access into the property. Other communities, including mountain shrub, coniferous forest, and pinyon/juniper woodland, were documented outside of these potential disturbance areas but within the permit boundary. Table V-1 presents the community type acreages within the permit boundary with proposed disturbances. Oak/Pinyon Pine Along the eastern slope, Gambel oak and mountain mahogany mix to form a narrow, discontinuous band between the lower edge of the ponderosa pine forest and upper margin of the grasslands and pinyon/juniper woodlands (Mute) and Emerick, 1984). These species extend downward and mix with pinyon pine predominantly. Juniper is less common on the site. Gambel oak requves warmer climate, deeper soils, and more moisture than does mountain mahogany. The . project area characteristics favor Gambel oak and it dominates this community type. Pinyon pine Veg.475/April z~, (em 4 (revised 4/21/97)