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the side slopes of the canyons and the deeper soils located in the valley floors. The deeper soils tend toward <br /> the sandy loams while the shallower soils tend to be stony loams. <br /> Further information on soils can be found in Tab 9 of the permit application document. <br /> Climatology <br /> The permit area receives less than nine inches of precipitation annually and is characterized by moderately cold <br /> winters and warm summers. Average temperatures range between 27oF in the winter and 79oF in the summer, <br /> with relatively even distribution of precipitation during the year. <br /> The average speed and direction of the prevailing winds in the permit area is 8.0 mph from the southwest. <br /> Vegetation <br /> The mesas and the valley slopes at the canyon base support sparse salt desert vegetation, including grasses such <br /> as galleta(Hilatia 'amesii , indian ricegrass(Orvzopsis hymenoides)and squirrel tail (Sitanion h strix and <br /> shrubs such as winterfat (Ceratoides lanata , shadscale Atri lex confertifolia), big sagebrush (Artemisia <br /> tridentata and fourwing saltbrush (Atriolex canescens . The riparian zone adjacent to the Colorado River <br /> supports a variety of grasses,shrubs and trees, including willows Salix VR.),cottonwoods Po ulus sspp.),salt <br /> cedar Tamarix parviflora , and bluegrass fta Wp.). <br /> Further information on vegetation can be found in Tab 10 of the permit application. <br /> Wildlife <br /> Canyon walls in the permit area provide potential raptor nesting sites,and peregrine falcon nexting has been <br /> documented in the permit area in recent years. The river is used by waterfowl during migration, wintering <br /> and nesting seasons. Western portions of the permit area provide winter range for mule deer, and overlap a <br /> portion of a federally designated wild horse management area. <br /> During winter months,Bald Eagles have been observed along the Colorado River through DeBeque Canyon. <br /> Three species of threatened or endangered fish may potentially inhabit the Colorado River in this area. These <br /> three fish species include Colorado Squawftsh, Razorback Sucker, and Humpback Chub. Riparian <br /> willow/tamarisk vegetion in the permit vicinity provides potential habitat for the endangered southwest willow <br /> flycatcher. <br /> Additional information on the wildlife in the area can be found in Tab I l of the permit application. <br /> Land Use <br /> Due to the long mining history of the area, and existence of the Cameo Power Plant adjacent to the North <br /> Portal mine facilities, current land use along the river and I-70 corridor in the mine vicinity is industrial. <br /> Wildlife habitat is the primary use on adjacent dry uplands and tributary canyons. The post-mining land use <br /> for the permitted area is wildlife habitat. <br /> 14 <br />