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• <br />Flora <br />The natural vegetation around the survey area is a rich mosaic of plant communities and <br />typical of the shortgrass prairie environment. Dry upland regions display buffalo grass <br />(Buchoe dactyloides) and blue grama (Chonodrosum gracile) interspersed over bare soils <br />with Yucca glauca and prickly-peaz (Opuntia sp:) cactus (Weber 1990). Moister water <br />courses favor taller grasses that include big blue stem (Andropogon gerarrdir~, foxtail <br />bazley (Criterion pusillium), switch grass (Panicum virgatum), and desert salt grass <br />(Distichlis spicita). Numerous wildflowers also inhabit the moister areas throughout this <br />ecozone. Varieties of other plants found in the shortgrass prairie, many of which were <br />possibly utilized by Native Americans indigenous to this azea (Benedict 1991). <br />Fauna <br />A remazkable diversity and abundance of wildlife aze found on the shortgrass prairie <br />despite its sometimes harsh environment (Benedict 1991). Although development has <br />displaced many of these animals, one can sometimes glimpse those who have chosen to <br />adapt to the urban setting. Other animals, like the mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), can <br />sometimes be found migrating through suburban azeas, taking up temporary habitats <br />where forage is abundant. In addition, former species in this region were displaced long <br />ago, such as wolf (Canis lupus), elk (Cervus elaphus), mountain lion (Fells concolor), <br />bobcat (Fells rufus), and bison (Bison bison). The majority of the shortgrass prairie birds <br />are migratory and will not be included in this report. <br />File Search <br />A file search was carried out at the Colorado Historical Society, Office of Archaeology <br />and Historic Preservation Office by staff archaeologists on December 29, 1993. The <br />results of this showed no previously recorded cultural resources in the project area. <br />Regional azchaeological fieldwork describes nearly continuous human occupation for this <br />portion of Colorado for over 12,000 yeazs. Studies show regional indication for <br />PaleoIndian and Archaic Traditions, as well as Formative and Protohistoric/Historic <br />cultures. The Colorado Historic Society Overview of the prehistory and history of the <br />region provided the information used above (Eighmy 1984). The Santa Fe trail is the <br />only previously recorded cultural resource for this portion of Bent County, and no <br />evidence for this resource was found in the project area. <br />5 <br />