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recedes. The vegetation that will be supported in such an area will be very limited in variety, and <br />generally dependent upon the water retained in the soils during the summer months. <br />No Action Alternative: If the proposed operations do not occur, the azea will <br />remain as is unless a major storm event occurs, resulting in a severe wash out of the proposed <br />mining area, as well as other lands below it. It should be noted, that the same major storm event <br />will have similaz impact to even under the proposed alternative. <br />Cumulative Impacts of the Proposed Action: There is insufficient information on <br />the long term to make a cumulative analysis. Various lands along the Arkansas River valley are <br />of similar alluvial fans. Some are on private lands and some are on public lands. All are <br />potential areas of sand and gravel mineral material mining, when such products have use and are <br />supported by economic development in the azea. The short term cumulative impacts are <br />probably not measurable as they relate to soils disturbance, and additional potential of <br />sedimentation and soil erosion. <br />Finding on the Public Land Health Standard for Upland Soils: The proposed <br />alternative neither improves nor moves the current soil condition towards a public land health <br />standard. It basically represents a land form /soil change, creating a new soil environment. <br />VEGETATION (includes a fording oo Standard 3) <br />~ - Affected Environment: The climate of the analysis area averages 9 to 11 inches of precipitation <br />annually, while July and August produce the highest amount of rainfall December and January <br />are generally the driest period of the year. The mean annual temperature for the area is 44 <br />degrees F. with a frost free period of 85 to 45 days. The optimal growing season for native <br />plants is May 1 through August 15 (MRCS, 1995). Elevation of the analysis area is 7,800 feet. <br />'fhe proposed project area occurs within aPinyon-Juniper range site. However, there is an <br />alluvial fan within the lower part of the project azea that consists of highly stratified deposits of <br />granitic gravel and sand. The alluvial area is prone to periodic deposition resulting in a lack of <br />organic soils. As a result, there is little or no vegetative cover. Where vegetation does exist, <br />there is Rabbit Brush and traces of Blue Grams grasses and various annual weeds. <br />The upland or Northeast aspect of the project azea consists of a sparse Pinyon-Juniper range site. <br />The vegetation cover is sparse and is made up of isolated Pinyon Pine trees and Blue Grams, <br />Mountain Muhly, and Indian Rice grass, Shrubs that may occur are limited and are Rabbitbrush <br />and Snakeweed. <br />Environmental Consequences/Mitigation: <br />Proposed Action: The proposed action authorizes a grave] pit to be developed on <br />20 acres of public land. This action will physically remove any vegetation that exists within the <br />limits of the project. As stated above, the amount of existing vegetation is limited in the project <br />area due to the hydrologic activity. As a result, any new disturbances, even man caused, would <br />be minimal. Once the quarry phase is completed, reclamation work may be required to create a <br />13 <br />