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Mr. Donald A. Crane Mr. Dean Massey July 16, 1980 Page 2 "The vegetation map (#16) identifies a single brushy- aspen community over the entire mine plan area. However, OSM staff members visited the Energy Fuels mine site and observed that the prime elk calving area was characterized by a sagebrush-aspen interface with distinct openness among the aspens. Staff members noted the relationship between the open character of the elk among aspen stand and the different soil types associated with different areas of aspen. The area in question (elk calving grounds} appears to be almost exclusively associated with a soil complex identified as winevade-Splitro (X8D). This Splitro- sandy loam is a shallow soil with an impermeable layer (finely fractured sandstone) 18 inches below the surface. The vegetative (aspen) community associated with this soil has a number of distinct characteristics different from the other vegetative (aspen) communities in the area. The rock layer may affect the types of vegetation able to exist on that soil. The aspen, a lateral root developing species, have developed in this restricted root zone, but do not ap- pear stunted, possibly a result of the restrictive layer. On the other hand, shrub species such as chokecherry and serviceberry are deep rooted plants. This characteristic could account for the lack of shrub species on this shallow soil type, and the resulting open areas among the aspen.. Aspen communities in the deeper soils have denser stands of mixed aspen and shrub species. These denser stands of brushy aspen may not be desirable for elk caly- ing. In the more open aspen stands grasses and forbs de- velop in place of the shrubs. These grasses and forbs are preferred by elk, as forage, expecially during the spring calving season when these herbaceous species offer peak nutritive value. Large numbers of elk have been seen throughout the upper winter range (in Montana) during calving where plant species were determined to be in early stages of development (Brazda, 1953). Open areas in the Energy Fuels aspen stand could allow for early green-up of forage species necessary for elk cows during parturition and lactation. After calving, elk have been observed (in Montana) concentrating in summer areas with vegetation in a later stage of development (Brazda, 1953 and Reichelt, 1972). The studies by Brazda and Reichelt suggest that lactating cows are very selective to areas with high productivity of forage species such as grasses and forbs in the early phenological stages of growth. Aspen stands with dense shrub coverage may have a high productivity; however, the nutrient requirements of elk may not be fulfilled by the shrub species.