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western wheatgrass community in the southern portion of the permit azea. <br />The sagebrush community occurs throughout the permit area on all elevations, slopes and soils. The <br />community has developed wherever soil moisture retention and soil depth have become limiting to <br />other vegetation communities. Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and snowbeny (Symphoricazpos <br />oreophilus) dominate the overstory. Dominant grasses are western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii , <br />mountain brome (Bromus mar ig natus) and green needlegrass Sti a viridula .Major forbs include <br />lupine Lu inus caudatus ,wild onion Allium sip.), yarrow (Achillea lanu[osa) and arrowleaf <br />balsam root (Balsamorrhiza sa~ttata). <br />The mountain shrub community is typically found on azeas of higher soil moisture and deeper soils <br />throughout the permit azea. Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) and Gambel's oak ( uercus <br />gambelii) are the dominant overstory species in the community, with fairly dense stands of <br />chokecherry (Prunus vir iniana occurring on north slopes and along drainages. The most abundant <br />grasses are Kentucky bluegrass (Poa Rratensis), western wheatgrass and needle and thread (Stina <br />comata). Forbs include lupine, yarrow, bedstraw Galium sip.) and American vetch (Vida <br />americana . <br />3.2.11 Land Use <br />Land use information is found in Sections 2.04.3, 2.05.5, and 4.16 (Volume 1 for the East Pit, West <br />Pit, Section 16 Pit, Facilities Area and Gossard Loadout and Volume 12 for South Taylor) and <br />Map 17 of the PAP. Specific findings are described in Section B, Item XII of this document. The <br />land use of reclaimed lands is rangeland (4.16, PAP). Wildlife habitat is incidental to reclaimed <br />rangeland, as described below under Wildlife. Prior land uses within the Permit area were primazily <br />rangeland, wildlife habitat, with some agriculture (not disturbed by the mining activity). Land uses in <br />adjacent area are primarily rangeland and wildlife habitat. There is some dryland farming on level <br />uplands, and small areas of irrigated pasture and hayland along stream courses in the general area. <br />Rangeland on the permit area is characterized as good condition sagebrush and mountain shrub range <br />that, in the past, was vaziously grazed by either sheep or cattle during the spring, summer or fall. The <br />rangeland also supports substantial populations of mule deer, elk, sage grouse, golden eagles and <br />numerous other wildlife species at vazious times throughout the yeaz. Post mine land use will support <br />wildlife and livestock utilization. <br />3.2.12 Wildlife <br />Measures to protect wildlife and related environmental values aze presented in pazagraph 4.18 ofthe <br />PAP. No threatened or endangered species have been identified in the permit azea. No critical habitat <br />for any such species is known to exist. Herds of deer and elk aze regularly seen grazing on the <br />reclaimed area, especially during the winter. Rodent and small game populations have reestablished <br />on reclaimed areas, and small birds and raptors aze numerous on reclaimed and adjacent undisturbed <br />areas. <br />Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance 4 May 2007 <br />Permit Revision 02 Page 21 <br />