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1 <br />' Exhibit B - Site Description - Wildlife Information <br />' The operation is expected to have minimal impact on wildlife since <br />' much of the area has been previously disturbed. Mining has the effect of <br />immediately displacing animals inhabiting and animals foraging or hunting <br />' in the area to be disturbed. The types of wildlife habitat present would <br />be primarily openland and rangeland habitat. <br />' The elements of potential wildlife habitat are rated on a basis <br />' according to the amount of vegetation that is available to wildlife as food <br />and cover. The kind and abundance of wildlife that populate an area depend <br />' largely on the amount and distribution of food, cover and water. If any <br />one of these elements is missing, inadequate, or inaccessible, wildlife <br />' becomes scarce or does not inhabit the area. Given these considerations, <br />' the existing disturbed areas would generally be considered poor for both <br />openland- and rangeland-types of habitat. On the higher portions of the <br />' slope, rock niches and conifers are more abundant. This type of habitat is <br />localized but provides some cover and nesting areas and would thus be <br />' considered fair habitat. The undisturbed areas adjacent to the existing <br />site produce plants that provide food, limited cover and some nesting areas <br />1 that are primarily attractive to rodents and ground-dwelling birds, and the <br />' predators that feed on these animals. Shrubs such as mountain mahogany <br />present in the area ,are attractive to browsing animals such as mule deer. <br />' In general, the subject area is dry, having relatively sparse <br />vegetation cover and minimal escape cover. This limits the species and <br />1 diversity of animals likely to utilize the area. Other attractive wildlife <br />' habitat is present to the north, outside the permit area, such as along the <br />Van Bibber Creek drainageway located to the north. <br />1 <br /> <br />