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~w~ - <br />Tamara Naumann - 2 - May 13, 1988 <br />A significant portion of the plateau which would be directly affected by <br />mining was historically irrigated hayland which has reverted back to native <br />vegetation. Big sagebrush is the visually dominant species, with a well <br />developed understnry of grasses including Blue grams (Boutelnua aracilis), <br />Indian ricegrass (Oryznpsis hymennides), needle and threa ipe coma a) and <br />galleta. Localized areas are o~minatPd by cheatgrass (Brnmus tactnrum and <br />broom snakeweed (Xanthocephalum sarnthree) is is also a u~ndant in some areas. <br />The soils are sta a wit no evidence o erosion and very little bare snit <br />exposed. Drainage side slopes are thickly wooded with pinyon-.iuniper and <br />drainage hnttoms are dominated by dP-ISP stands of big sagebrush up to five <br />feet tall, <br />The survey within the project area was conducted by driving slowly th mush the <br />area nn existing ranch roads, stopping occasionally to allow for closer <br />observation. No Lupinus crassus plants were observed in the pro,iect area. <br />Further, no sites were~ocat~ or indicated by soil and topographic mapping <br />which appeared to meet the "search image" of sparsely vegetated clayey <br />hillslnpes or dry washes at elevations of 5;500 to 6,000 feet. liven the <br />plant's affinity for Mancos shale derived substrates and the ahsence of any <br />Mancos exposures ih the lease area, it probably does not occur within the <br />tract. <br />cc: Dave Andrews <br />Cathy Beoe.i <br />7353E <br />