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Site Description -- Site 3 is a mature stand of scrub oak un a l5S%f to 25~/~ slope. This site has a nunhcrly aspect at an elevation of 6,320 to 6,x20 leer. The site has an area of S.19 acres. Soils -- The soils on this site are primarily Beenom-Ahsarokee association (SCS. 1981). This is a dark, grayish-brown loam having moderately slow permeability and low available water capacity. Vegetation -- Dominant vegetation on site was Gambel oak, mounmin mahogany, serviceberry. and daisy. Site 4: Refuse Pile Expansion Site Description -- Site 4 is a mature stand of scrub oak on 30% to d5`~. slope. This sire has a nunhcrly aspect at an elevation of (i,130 to G,250 icet. Thu site has an area of -1.0~ acres. Soils -- The soils on this site are primarily Becnum-Ahsarokee association. The wcsrern side ul the site borders upon Ahsarokee-Work loam (SCS. 1981). Vegetation --Dominant vegetation on site was Gambel oak. mountain mahogany, scrviceherrv, and daisy. Lard Use Livestock grazing is currently allowed in and around Site 1. The other three +itn eshihil evidoncc of wildlife browsing. Leaseable mineral extraction occurs on bordering land areas. A water well occupin the center ul Site I. Potential Habitat for Grand Mesa Penstemon Grand Mesa penstemon occurs on mountain slopes in Gunnison, Delta and Mesa counties, Coluradu. Soils are typically sandy to sandy-loam, though one sighting was found on a rocky substrate (CONHP, 1993). Flowering period occurs from late June to mid-August, depending un elevation, location and precipita- tion/temperature. Most plants are in full flower by mid-July. Elevation range is 7,200 to 9,500 feet. Habitat generally includes scrub oak or aspen stands (CONHP, 1993). One sighting was recently reported un the north side of the North Fork oC the Gunnison River, a scrub oak community un a southerly aspet across the valley Crom the West Elk Mine (Welt 1993). All Four sites surveyed are located above a substrate primarily composed of loam>, intermingled with some clay-foams. Grand Mesa penstemon prefers a sandy substrue(CONHP, 1993), the presence of u[bhle at Site 1 indicates potential Grand Mesa penstemon habitat. Sites 2, 3 and 4 are mature scrub oak stands that occur at an elevation greater than 7UU I'ect helo+v the recognized attitudinal range for Grand Mesa penstemon. Site 1, which is a disturbed clearing surrounded by mature scrub oak a[ an altitude between 7,300 and 7,400 feet, is the Doty site located within the espectcd elevation range for Grand Mesa penstemon. Federal status for this species is Category ? (USFWS) and it is on the U. S. FUrC~t Service IUSFS) sensitive plant list. State status is Sl, with a Coluradu Heritage Program Rank ul G1/S2. Survey Methodology A rare plant sun•ey was conducted on the four sites for Grand Mesa penstemon which has potential habitat in the project area. Potential disturbance boundaries fur the survey were provided by MCC.