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The permit area receives less than 9 inches of precipitation annually and is characterized by moderately cold winters and warm su®ers. January and July temperatures average 27 degrees and 79 degrees respectivelq. The mesas and slopes at the base of the canyons in the area support sparse salt desert vege- tation, including grasses such as Galleta, Indian Ricegrass and Squirrel Tail, and shrubs such as Wlaterfat, Shad scale, Eig Sagebrush and Fourwing Saltbush. The riparian zone adjacent to the Colorado River supports a variety of grasses, shrubs sad trees, including Willows, Cottonwoods, Salt Cedar and Bluegrass. Canyon walls Sn the permit area provide potential raptor nesting sites sad the riser is used by waterfowl during migration, wintering sad nesting seasons. The northwestern portion of the permit area, several miles from the surface facilities, provides winter range for mule deer and the western third of the Cameo mine permit is part of a Federal government-designated wild horse man- agement area. in the area surrounding the operation, the predominant land use is mining rangeland, sad wildlife habitat although there are same orchards in the vicinity. The area than the op erationa occupies 1s characterized by moderate- ly steep slopes and sparse vegetation chat is typical of Western Colorado. Rangeland is restr'.cted to the valley bottoms and bluffs having shallow slopes and sufficient vegetation. The land will be returned to rangeland wildlife habitat and undeveloped land, afCer cessation of mining and successful recla- mation. The portal areas will be reclaimed to an undeveloped land use status since the area has been intensively disturbed in the past by mining and road building activities. Underground mining has occurred unabated is this area since 1899 resulting in extensive disturbance to valley bottoms. Areas overlying the Federal coal leases to be mined contain numerous cultural resource sites that are discussed more closely in Alternative 41. Special considerations will be undertaken to mitigate future harm to these resources. The 1978 BLM West Central Colorado Coal °IS projected a peak production of 1.6 `II'Y and peak employment of 400 by 1990. However, current production (1.1TSTY) and employement are projected to remain stable throughout the life of the mine. The majority of Powderhorn employees commute to work via carpools. The following [able represents existing and projected populaton for communi- ties in which Povderhorn employees reside: 1980 1985 S Population Population* Employees Mesa County 81,482 102,500 90~ Grand Junction and Suburbs 38,776 54,800 80 Palisades Clifton Areas 11,727 25,600 10 Other (Delta Agency) YA :IA 10 *Source: ;less County Capital Iaprovements Program, 1981 -3-