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. The cropland found within the proposed permit area is located near the Gossard Loadout and <br />covers approximately 71 acres in small parcels; however, none of these areas will be <br />disturbed by the planned mining operations. <br />Cropland within, and adjacent to, the permit area has been historically planted to winter <br />wheat and alfalfa grass mixtures; the grain is harvested the following summer with the hay <br />also being harvested at that time. The wheat fields then lie fallow the next year to allow the <br />soil moisture to recharge. The cropping pattern in the region is to alternate years of harvest <br />with years of leaving the ground in fallow. A limited amount of livestock grazing is done on <br />these fields after they are harvested in the late summer and fall. Wheat production averages <br />30 bushels per acre during crop years, and irrigated hayland averages 3 tons per acre per year. <br />Pasturelands found within the proposed permit area cover approximately 10 acres and also <br />will not be disturbed. Pasturelands are grazed by livestock, especially sheep and cattle, <br />during the spring, summer, and fall, <br />Reclaimed minelands are now becoming an increasingly important land use component <br />within the permit area. Substantial acreage of this type is now available for use by local <br />wildlife populations and will become increasingly important as mining continues. These <br />reclaimed areas are becoming the habitat of choice for local deer and elk populations during <br />the fall and spring months and winter months when snow cover is not a limiting factor. <br />Land Condition Capability and Productivit <br />• The present condition of the permit area can be described as good to fair for rangeland <br />conditions. A trend toward improvement has taken place over much of the area due to <br />reduced livestock grazing during the last several years since the land was obtained by <br />Colowyo. Grazing has not been allowed within the initial Colowyo permit area since fences <br />were constructed in 1977 and will not be allowed in the additional permit area once fences <br />are constructed in 1991. <br /> <br />2.04.3-2 <br />