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~ " suitable soil layer for a seed bed and re-vegetation. Any artificial seeding should be done with <br />` native vegetation adapted to the site. <br />No Action Alternative: No disturbance fiom mining activities would occur. The <br />current vegetation will remain as is until another stone event occurs. <br />Cumulative Impacts of the Proposed Action: The cumulative impacts in the short <br />teen would be minimal. However, in the long term the impacts may be positive if the <br />area is stabilized and vegetation becomes established. The vegetation in the surrounding <br />area has been altered in one form or another. Development, transportation, and mining <br />historically occurred in the area and continue to increase. <br />Finding on the Public Land Heslth Standard for Plant and Animal CommuntHes <br />(partial, see also wildlife, Aquatic and Wildlife, Temslriat): A formal land health assessment has not <br />been conducted in the azea. However, based on general observations, it appears that the area is <br />currently meeting upland vegetation standards. The proposed action will have an insignificant <br />impact to the vegetation standard. <br />WII.DLIFE, AQUATIC (includes a finding on Standard 3) <br />Affected Environment: None- The privately owned dam just upstream of the proposed <br />~- action stops all water during the yeaz except a short winter period. The timing (winter period) is <br />' . such that cold blooded animals are dormant and therefore do not use this winter seep flow. The <br />channel and the area to be excavated are too dry, too often, to support aquatic life. <br />Environmental Consequences/Mitlgatlon: There is likely hood that shallow water <br />wetlands could be created in the pit. Doing so would require water rights, additional <br />management, and release of water during the growing season. This is not part of the proposal, <br />so no mitigation is offered. None is needed as no wetlands are filled. <br />No Action Alternative: NA <br />Cumulative Impacts of the Proposed Action: The dam discussed on Trout Creek <br />stops flow that would sustain aquatic organisms. This also dried any riparian that may have been <br />sustained below that point as well. Manipulation of the previous flood deposit does not have any <br />cumulative impact to any aquatic resources beyond that caused by the dam in years past. <br />FYnding on the Public Land Health Standard for Plant and Animal Communities <br />(partial, see also Vegetation and Wildlife, Terrestrial): NA <br />WILDLIFE, TERRESTRIAL (includes a finding on Standard 3) <br />Affected Environment: The project area is located in a gravelly wash that supports mostly <br />rabbitbrvsh shrubs and a few grasses. The azea is within pinyon pine and juniper habitat on an <br />east-facing slope. The area is not remote and there is much human activity from an existing <br />14 <br />