Laserfiche WebLink
West Elk Mine <br />Riparian vegetation and wetlands would not be measurably disturbed by underground <br />mining in the project area. if surface activities are proposed in riparian areas, the effects <br />on riparian and wetland resources would be evaluated at that time. <br />Wet. Meadows <br />Wet meadow vegetation communities are identified by open subirrigated areas occurring along <br />major drainages above 2,100 m (7,000 ftJ and as openings in brushy or forested-areas'arelevations <br />above 2,400 m (8,000 ft.). Wet meadows are occupied by herbaceous species, especially those <br />adapted to continuously moist or, subinigated conditions, such as sedges (Carex sp.) and false <br />hellebore (Veratrum califomicum). <br />Wet meadow locations in the study area occtir primarily in the upper drainage of the Dry Fork of the <br />Minnesota Creek in the vicinity of the Cow Camp, on flat azeas of the West and East Flatirons, <br />along the upper reach of Deep Creek, and as very small, isolated areas in the aspen forest neaz <br />Beaver Reservoir. Wei meadows in the vicinity of the Cow Camp are intensively used as pasture <br />for cattle. One of these marshy meadows was selected for sampling to represent this community. <br />The wet meadow community sampled occurred on soil mapping unit number X30..No tree or shrub <br />strata were present on this site. Eighteen herbaceous species (7 graminoid, 11 forb species) <br />provided 108 percent average cover. Cover in excess of 100 percent is due to amulti-layered <br />herbaceous stratum in which cover of different species may overlap in the same area of the quadrat. <br />The majority of the species ranged in height from 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 inJ, with -the exception of <br />hellebore, which attained a height of 75 cm (30 in.). Kentucky bluegrass was the most important <br />graminoid species, providing 15 percent cover and occurring in 60 percent of the area sampled. <br />Common species were hellebore, which provided 25 percent cover and occurred in 50 percent of the <br />area sampled, and common yarrow (Achillea lanulosa), which contributed nine percent cover and <br />occurred in SO.percent of the azea sampled. The very high cover recorded appeazed to be the result <br />of favorable soil moisture conditions. <br />Dry Meadow <br />Dry meadow communities within the study. area are identified as open, dry areas on uplands <br />occupied primarily by herbaceous vegetation. -Dry meadow communities may be natural or the <br />result of clearing of another community by human actions. Dry meadows were noted at scattered <br />locations on upland areas, frequently on exposed slopes or ridges. The ]azge meadow that was <br />selected for sampling is located approximately one-half mile south of the old Beaz No. 1 Mine, and <br />is an area cleared for grazing that has not yet been reinvaded by species characteristic of [he <br />surrounding oakbrirsh community. <br />The dry meadow community site sampled occurred on soil mapping unit number 31. This sample <br />location consists only of a herbaceous stratum, although invasion of shrub species is apparent. The <br />most common shrub species were snowberry, Douglas rabbitbrush, and Gambel oak. <br />Thirteen herbaceous species (3 graminoid, 10 forb species) were sampled in areas along the 100- <br />meter transect, providing total average cover of 63 percent. Height in the herbaceous stratum <br />ranged from 5 to 35 cm (2-14 in.). Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome, two commen non-native <br />pasture species, were the dominant species, together providing 34 percent cover, and occurring in <br />2,04-143 Revised Apri12004 PRIO <br />