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• <br />pooriy developed floodplaln vegetation end two (2) acres of bereen unconsdklated streambed. These <br />riparian vegetation types are confined to the lower channel terraces within Red Wash's deeply Incised <br />floodplatn. <br />12 <br />Floodplaln vegetation Is dominated by a profuse growth of understory (orbs and grasses <br />Including cheatgrass, slender wheatgrass, basin wAdrye, cocklebur, kochia, and Iamb's quarter beneath <br />a big sagebnrsh/rubber rebbnbnrsh canopy. Tamarisk occurs sparingly as smell scattered stands on <br />channel and oxbow margins. Fremont cottonwood are limned to a few mature or stunted, widely <br />separeted IndNkluals. A small complement pass than 5 percent) of predominernly persistent perennial <br />vegetation, Including slender wheatgress, basin wildrye, curly dock, (Nand sangress and sedge occurs <br />on channel perimeters. <br />Since lower Red Wash normally flows oNy In response to snowmen or ralrtfali, it Is evidern that <br />these remnant riparian and floodplaln types are malrnained primeriy by irnermntern flooding of lower <br />channel terraces with little reliance on alluvial or surface waters. The potential for vegetation <br />development Is limited because of the Irnennittern nature of the drainage and the ongoing processes of <br />erosion and deposition prompted by regular episodes of heavy flows and floodirp. <br />Ranae•Domestic Uvestock Use <br />The principle use of the lease application area fs for warner and spring sheep use. The area Ties <br />within the Red Wash and Spooky Mournain allotments. <br />w~idlif$ <br />• A comprehensive list of animals known to inhabit the LMU area has been compiled by Western <br />Fuels as part of their mine plan appligtlon (Vdume 3). This information is also tabulated In the BLM's <br />White RNer Resource Area (WRRA) Unit Resource Analysis - Rangely Planning Unit. Both documents <br />are avaAable et the WRRA office, Meeker, Colorado. <br />As many es 120 birds, 60 mammals, 10 replies, and two (2) amphibians make use of habitats <br />avalable on the UrtU end lease applicator eras. ONy those animals and habitats that may be affected <br />by lease developmenrt, or which are dstate/federal concern will be discussed. <br />RelatNely low or moderate density populations of mule deer aril pronghorn are the oNy big <br />game species which make appreciable use of the lease appliption area. Deer use Is relegated to the <br />tall through early sprirp months. Deer range encompassed by the lease application area fs dasslAed by <br />Cdoredo DNlskxr d WYdllfe as severe warner range, dented as that portion of the warner range where 90 <br />percent of the IndMduals are located during periods d maximum snowpack in the worst 2 winters of <br />ten. Pronghorn use d this arse fs relaWely light and occurs primarYy spring through tafl. <br />A relaWely amen population of sage grouse uses the lease appikatkxt area throughout the year. <br />A struttirq ground krcated about one~hird mEe east of the lease application boundary Indicates that <br />nesting and early brood-rearing aaNities are likely to take place in sagebrush habitats on the eastern <br />half of the lease parcel. <br />Typical nortpame birds Inhabiting this portion of Red Wash Include western meadowlark, sage <br />sparrow, green-taied towhee, loggerhead shrike, lack-billed magpie, and Bewlck's wren. The few <br />' _ mature cottonwood trees which exist In the Red Wash floodplain regulariy host a breeding pair of <br />• American kestrel and/or red-taled hawk. <br />BLM also has record of an additional red-tailed hawk cliff nest site off the southwest comer of <br />