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West Elk Mile <br />over 50 percent of the area sampled. Sawatch knotweed (Polygonum sawarchense) was the most <br />important forb species based primarily on its high average density. Other common weed species <br />were houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinalis) and dandelion .(Taraxacum offcinale). Erosion <br />hazard on this site was estimated to be low.because of the nearly continuous herbaceous cover. <br />Barren Terrain <br />Barren terrain is identified as azeas with no appazent vegetation cover as viewed from aerial <br />photographs. These areas consist of steep, rock outcroppings, cliffs, and recent slumps. The extent <br />of barren terrain is very limited in the study azea. The most significant occurrences of barren terrain <br />aze found along the flanks of the West Flatiron. The majority of this barren terrain is mass wasted <br />slumps, and sandstone cliffs. <br />Vegetation of the Affected Area and Reference Areas <br />Samvling History of the Vegetation Communities at West Elk Mine <br />Vegetation communities at West Elk Mine have been extensively described and sampled. In 1976, <br />an initial survey and representative sampling of vegetation communities at West Elk Mine and <br />adjacent area was undertaken. Prior qualitative descriptions of the vegetation conununities are <br />largely taken from this survey. With mine planning more specific in 1980, two vegetation <br />communities of the area to be affected were quantitatively sampled: The oakbrush and dry meadow <br />communities were quantitatively sampled for cover, herbaceous production, shrub density, and <br />species composition. Additionally, dry meadow and oakbrush reference areas were selected. Based <br />on a review of the 1980 data, CDMG requested additional sampling of the dry meadow community <br />and reference area. A resampling of the dry meadow vegetation community and dry 'meadow <br />reference area occurred in 1982. Results of the 1982 resampling satisfied CDMG for the purposes <br />of establishing a dry meadow reference area. In 1995, additional sampling of the oakbrush <br />vegetation community was undertaken in the Refuse Pile Expansion (RPE) area, to the east of <br />Sylvester Gulch. Quantitative sampling of vegetation cover, herbaceous production, woody plant <br />:density, and species composition was completed in accordance with the CDMG requirements. <br />Expansion of the mine surface facilities is planned in 1997, with the proposed addition of two <br />ventilation shafts and other supporting facilities in Sylvester Gulch. Additional vegetation <br />communities were identified which had not been quantitatively sampled during the 1980 and 1982 <br />vegetation studies. During 1996, the oakbrush, aspen, and riparian vegetation communities were <br />quantitatively sampled in the proposed affected area of Sylvester Gulch. The dry meadow <br />vegetation community was not sampled due to unauthorized grazing from the Gunnison National <br />Forest. CDMG concurred with the decision not to sample the dry meadow community in 1996. .- <br />The dry meadow reference area is no longer proposed for use in determining revegetation success <br />criteria. In 1996, a historic record approach to establishment of revegetation success criteria was <br />initiated (PR07). Initial sampling of the historic record vegetation community was undertaken in <br />1996. The location of the historic record study azea is shown on Map 53. <br />2.04-144 Revised Apri12004 PRIO <br />