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and SCIfDUS spp.), rushes (Juncus spp.) cattail (Tyaha latifolia), and willows (Salix exiaua). A given <br />area is typically dominated by only one of the above species such that cattails may be prevalent <br />in one spot, willows in another, and hydrophytic graminoids codominate in yet another. Wildlife use <br />was judged to be very limited in the graminoid dominated situations because of limited structural <br />complexity. Therefore, quantitative wildlife sampling efforts were concentrated in a large tract of <br />Swale where a substantial willow and cattail component occurred in association with graminoid <br />dominated vegetation. The Swale habitat covers approximately 13.6 percent of the study area and <br />16.8 percent of the original permit area (Table 2.04.11-1A). The amendment area has few drainage <br />areas and any Swale characterized land is due to irrigation water collecting in certain spots. <br />Agricultural Areas. The agricultural habitat consists of the irrigated hayland, irrigated pasture, and <br />irrigated cropland vegetation types as presented and discussed in Section 2.04.10. This habitat <br />comprises the majority of both the study and original permit areas, covering 64.9 and 67.5 percent <br />of those areas, respectively (Table 2.04.11-1A). This habitat consists of low-statured annual and <br />perennial herbaceous species that have significantagricultural value. In the cropland areas, annual <br />small grains and corn used for silage are the principal crops. This intensively managed and <br />structurallysimple habitatwas qualitativelyevaluated as receiving littlewildlife use. Therefore, only <br />limited quantitative wildlife sampling was conducted in it. <br />• Ponds and Streams. All of the ponds in the study area, except the Nucla sewage lagoons, occur <br />as a direct result or process of the extensive irrigation practices. Several small ponds, used <br />primarily for livestock watering, are maintained by the irrigation network in the study area {Map <br />2.04.11-1 ). Water persistence is permanent in the ponds because the main irrigation supply ditch <br />is turned on intermittently during the non-growing season to keep them full. All streams are small <br />and restricted to irrigation ditches or small natural drainages. Tuttle Draw to the north of the study <br />area and Calamity Draw at the southern edge, support small base flows during the October to April <br />period when the main irrigation supply ditch is dry. The remaining ditches are dry in this period. <br />The flows of the smaller ditches are intermittent during the growing season depending on changes <br />in irrigation demands. <br />Rangeland. The rangeland habitat is composed of fragmented remnant stands of native <br />sagebrush (Artemisia sp.) shrubland with scattered junipers (Junioerus osteosoerma) and pinyons <br />(Pinus edulis) in some blocks, These stands are interspersed throughout the other habitats (Map <br />2.04.11-1 ). The situations where the rangeland habitat occurs is usually on slightly elevated knolls <br />and/or ridges that are inaccessible to irrigation water. The rangeland habitat is typically used as <br />dryland pastures and is, therefore, heavily grazed. The largest tract of rangeland is situated in <br />the eastern end of the study area where a tree component of Siberian elm (Ulmus umila) has <br />become established in conjunction with the pinyon and juniper. <br />• (REVISE~6/27/01) 2.174.11-7 <br />