Laserfiche WebLink
• end of the study area where a tree component of Siberian elm (Ulmus oumila) has become <br />established in conjunction with the pinyon and juniper. <br />Adjacent Habitats. The habitat in areas immediately adjacent to the study area include habitats <br />that are essentially the same as those previously discussed, reclaimed ground atthe existing Nucla <br />Mine and Pinyon/Juniperwoodlands (Map 2.04.11-1). Irrigation waters supply hayfields, pastures, <br />and croplands. Farmsteads and orchards are present throughout the Nucla vicinity. Low-lying <br />areas and drainages support Swale vegetation. Native stands of pinyon-juniper woodland and <br />sagebrush predominate on the bluffs above Tuttle Draw and continue to the north toward the <br />Uncompahgre Plateau. The town of Nucla borders the study area to the east. Adjacent habitats <br />within 0.5 miles of the study area are given on Map 2.04.11-1. <br />Methods and Materials <br />Site Reconnaissance and General Sampling Outline. A site reconnaissance was conducted <br />on 20-22 May, 1987 to assess the various habitats and their distribution and to develop a baseline <br />sampling plan. From this visit, the following general sampling outline was implemented: <br />. Sampling Periods: Aspring/summersamplewouldtake place in late May. This period would <br />include late migrant bird species yet would cover most breeding species in <br />the study area. Summer observational records would be made during the <br />course of summer vegetational surveys. A fall sample would take place in <br />early October. A winter raptor roosting and feeding area survey would be <br />conducted in early January 1988. <br />Habitats: The habitats to receive most ofthe sampling effortwould be the farmsteads <br />and orchards, swales, and rangelands. Lesser sampling efforts would be <br />conducted in the remaining habitats. <br />The proposed sampling outline was transmitted to Mr. Peter O'Connor of the Office of Mined Land <br />Reclamation (OMLR) via letter correspondence dated July 6,1987 for concurrence. Concurrence <br />was received from the OMLR on July 31, 1987. This correspondence is documented in Peabody <br />Attachment 11-1. Additional work was done in assessing the habitats and vegetative communities <br />during the summer of 1999 in order to revise Map 2.04.11. <br />LiteratureSurveyandtnformationAcguisition. Aliteraturesurveywasconductedtodetermine <br />. the historical, actual or potential occurrence of wildlife species in the Nucla area. The reports <br />(REVISED 6/27/01) 2.04.11-8 <br />