2001-12-11_PERMIT FILE - C1984065A

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published soil survey of the area, the SCS states the limitations • of these lands for various uses. In the area of the proposed surface facilities, the lands are more compatible with a variety of potential uses. Some of the lands currently are used as rangeland and some as irrigated cropland. An ocular estimate of range condition in late 1983 showed a small portion in the surface facilities area to be in poor to fair condition. Cropland has been cut for hay during the latter part of each growing season. Cropland at lower elevations consists of irrigated hayland which is harvested and stored. This land is planted to an alfalfa-brome grass mix and is periodically surface irrigated. The average production from this area is about two tons of hay per acre annually. Cropland production could be increased with better and more reliable irrigation to a level of nearly 4 tons per acre of hay. Approximately 15 acres (7~) of this land use will be • disturbed by the surface facilities associated with mining activity. The existing land use shown on Figure 3.1-2 utilizes data collected during the vegetation survey (Figure 3.6-1). Grazing land consists primarily of the areas mapped as sagebrush vegetation type. This sagebrush has an estimated productivity of 0.75 tons/acre/year which will support 1.7 Animal Unit Months per acre per year. Juniper areas also provide some grazing potential, and these areas have an estimated productivity of 0.2 tons/acre/year which would support 0.4 Animal Unit Months per acre per year. Range production is currently at a level consistent with what is anticipated for a good year but species composition could be improved with better management. Another potential use of these lands is for residential or commer- cial site development. Because the lands are gently sloping with deeper soils, private ownership, good access, and adjacent develop- NCEC - Coal Ridge #1 3-3 ABC/1145/900301