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they encounter the softer more erodible rocks of the basin which <br />continue to add to the TSS levels. <br />Additional information on the surface water for the permitted area <br />can be found in Section 2.04.7 of the permit application and in <br />Section B, "Probable Hydrologic Consequences" section of this <br />findings document. <br />Climatology <br />The climate is directly influenced by the topography, with heavier <br />rainfall and cooler temperatures in the mountains and less rainfall <br />and warmer temperatures in the basin. <br />Annual precipitation in the area is approximately 12.9 inches, with <br />most of the precipitation occurring during the spring and summer <br />months. Average annual temperature for the area is 54 degrees with <br />extremes of -20 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Prevailing wind <br />direction is from the west except during summer months when the <br />wind originates from the southeast. Refer to Section 2.04.8 of the <br />permit for further information. <br />Vegetation and Soils <br />Information on vegetation is found in Section 2.04.10 of the permit <br />application. Maps 14, 15 and 16 show the vegetative and soil <br />communities present in the mine permitted area. In brief, the <br />vegetative community consists of three types: riparian woodland, <br />grassland and ponderosa pine-juniper woodland. Oakbrush, <br />skunkbrush, mountain mahogany and snowberry are the important <br />shrubs. Grasses that naturally occur are: blue grama, western <br />wheatgrass, needle-and-thread, squirrel tail, mutton grass and red <br />three-awn. <br />The soil types found at the Southfield Mine can be found on Map 14 <br />and section 2.04.9 of the permit application. Sandy loams, rock <br />outcrops and stony loams are the predominant soil types at the mine <br />site and loadout. The permittee has performed all the required <br />soil pit excavations, analysis and research. <br />Wildlife <br />Wildlife information can be found in Section 2.04.11 of the permit <br />application. <br />A wildlife survey was conducted by the Division of Wildlife in 1979 <br />and 1980 under the Dorchester initial permitting effort. No <br />threatened or endangered species were identified, although possible <br />migration through the area by the Perigrine Falcon may exist. <br />Mammals that can be found in the area are the mule deer, elk, <br />bobcat, mountain lion, coyote, grey and red fox, badger, striped <br />16 <br />