2007-07-30_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981041

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baseline vegetation information prior to initial issuance of the The vegetation~surounding the disturbed areais a sparsely covere and along the Colorado River a riparian vegetation type exists. Comi grasses such as~galleta (Hilaria iamesii), Indian ricegrass O zo sis (Sitanian hystrix) and shrubs such as winterfat (Ceratoides Janata), confertifolia) and fourwing saltbush Atri lex canescens). The characterized by species including willows (Salix ~.), cottonwoc (Tamarix parviflora) and bluegrass (Poa gip.). Greasewood Sarcobt the margins of the riparian zone, and along ephemeral and intern colluvial toe slopes. During 1982, th permittee selected three community study areas to i prior to disturbance by mining. These study areas encompassed a greas shadscale shrubland community, and a mixed greasewood shadscale During the summer of 1982, the study azeas were sampled for production, woody plant density, species diversity, and threatened a review of the community character, it was determined that these study areas for revegetation success criteria for cover and production for are salt desert vegetation type, >n salt desert species include ymenoides) and squirreltail hadscale saltbush (Atrimlex parian vegetation type is (Populus ~.), salt cedar s venniculatus) occurs along tent drainages and adjacent nt communities present shrubland community, a ;etative cover, herbaceous endangered species. After as would serve as reference previously disturbed. Various issues of concern were identified by the Division during the mid-term review of 1995 and subsequent PR-02 review, including questions regarding the applicability of the original vegetation study areas to serve as reference areas for all current and proposed future disturbance sites. Modifications tb revegetation success demonstrations, seedmixes, ,and various aspects of the revegetation plan were requested, along with an updated endangered lilant survey covering areas of proposed future disturbance. All issues of concern raised by the Division during the PR-02 review were adequately;addressed. I The operator had committed within the PR-02 amendments to conduct auiditional vegetation studies in areas to be affected by disturbances associated with the proposed CRDA-3, but such studies were not conducted, due tb the operator's subsequent decision to withdraw CRDA-3 from the permit. Less than 4 acres of additional disturbance did occur within soil borrow area CBA; 2 in 2002, in association with CRDA-1 reclamation. An endangered species survey was conducted within this area prior to disturbance, but vegetation cover, production, and woody plant density sampling was not conducted within the CBA-2 borow azea. Based on visual evaluation, and given the small area of disturbance, it is the Division's determination that the greasewood vegetation typi; within the subject area, is adequately characterized by the New Greasewood reference area (see bi;low), for which adequate data were obtained. No further affected area vegetation data collection is squired. In the summer of 1999, a new greasewood reference area was established to replace the original greasewood reference area. The original greasewood reference area'was in a relatively disturbed location immediately adjacent to the railroad grade, overland conveyor, and highline canal. The greasewood community in this location exhibited a very high cover of greasewood, with understory dominated by weedy fortis. The new greasewood reference area was established on a relatively undisturbed colluvial toe slope to the west of the Coal Creek ephemeral drainage, approximately 1500 feet northwest ofCRDA-l . The new reference area is more reflective of the greasewood community found in most poitions of the permit area, and better represents reclamation objectives, with higher herbaceous cover and production, and a higher diversity as compared to the original greasewood reference area. Information on the new greasewood reference area (data, narrative, and map) is Permit Revision No. 3 ~ Permit No. C-1981-041 July 30, 2007 Page 44