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are latown to exist. • No lalown fossils of significance have been found on or neaz the project azea. The Mesa Verde Group yields sparse faunas ofboth marine and non-marine elements, No study exists with specific reference to the botanical fossils related to the Menefee coals nor on the non-marine invertehrates on the associated units (Fischer, 1981). WATER The topographic surface of the project azea consists of a plateau beriveen East Alkali Gulch, Hay Gulch and "No Name Gulch" to the southeast. These are ephemeral drainages of variable gradient. Surface water within these drainages occurs as a result of seasonal spring runoff and following summer/fall storm events. The project area is not in a major ground water recharge area. Mining activity in the project area would occur approximately 40 feet above the piezometric surface, which is static water level. VEGETATION No onsite investigations were conducted of the proposed project area. The following information is excerpted from the COC 60941 Coal Lease Application EA (1997), and generally describes the project area. "The general project azea consists of pasture and mountain s}v-ub type vegetation along i witltpinon juniper. ThemostprotninentshrubsincludeGambeloak ercus ambeliz , Mountain mahogany (Cercocamus montanus}, and Utah serviceberry (Amelanchier utahensis). Other important shrubs include Antelope bitterbrush Purshia hzdentata), Squaw-apple (Pera~vllum ramosissimum), and Green ephedra E Nedra viridis). Scattered pinyon pine Pinusedulis andUtahjuniper .Zuni encsutahensis occuTOnthe more xeric sites, while scattered ponderosa pine Pinus ponderosa) and Douglas ftr (Pseudotsuga menziesii occur on the more mesic sites. Important species in the undetstory include bluegrass Poa sue.), western wheatgrass (Agro~yron smithii), bottlebrush squirreltail Sitaniors h-stris , yucca Yucca baccata , and milkvetch (Asiragalus spy.). Portions of the project azea have undergone various vegetation treatments including chaining, burning, and herbicide application. WILDLIFE The project area is diverse in wildli~ habitats. AIL;cugh Late project area is primanly Composed of the mountain shrub type vegetative community, portions aze also covered by pinon juniper and pasture types as well. The project azea is located in important winter range for deer and elk. THREATENED/ENDANGERED SPECIES