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_,,. tation. Several of the ephemeral drainage; on the hlest facing slope have vegetation dominated by subirrigatcd shrubs. Community developrm~nt is probably not limited by soil depth since most soils are of moderate depth and development, with the exception of the previously mined areas in the southern portion of the permit area. A sagebrush/snot/berry community dominates the Pest Facing slope in the permit area where previous mining-related disturbance lras not occurred. Near the ridgeline on the West facing slope, the sagebrush/snowberry conrrnuniti/ type is replaced by a mountain shrub community, dominated by Gambel's oak. This area would be slightly more xeric and have slightly shallower soils than the areas lower on the hillside where the sagebrush/ snowberry community occurs. On the steep sloce to the East of the ridge line, a mountain shrub community prevails, but .is more diverse in composition than that found on the [Jest side of the ridgeline, due to a ,acre favorable moisture and isolation regime. Gambel's oak, serviceberry, chokecherry, and sno~rbernl occur in a mixture with varying proportions in this community. Several aspen clumps are found on the West facing slope approximately mid-way along the slope gradient. Proceeding to the southern half or the permit area (East Ridge and [lest Ridge), the previously mined areas are encounter.-ed. These areas are characterized by sparse shrub and grass vegetation growing in the spoil ridge areas. The area designated as Center Ridge has a large area of aspen woodland in the South into n:rading to a mixture of the oak-dominated mountain shrub on the West side of the ridge and the sagebrush/snowberry community with aspen interspersions on the East side of the. ridge. Oak Creek and (rout Creek are characterized by a riparian community dominated by willows and redtop. To the West of Trout Creek, large areas of smooth brem•.-~ dominated corununity are encountered, along with relatively small corvnunities of dominated by terrace sagebrush and chicken sagebrush. wrr.nr.rFF The wildlife in the permit area form .~ diverse matrix of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and insects (see volume 5, Section ?. 7). The variety of habitats influence the distribution, composition and population strucCUre of the fauna within any given area. The deciduous Forests, and the mountain shrub area are actively utilized by deer and elk. From spring unt~1 rarly winter, e1}: con::entrate in the aspen grove on Center Ridge then progressively r,~~vo to fire shrub req_ions and further downhill to lower elevations off of the permit aces Fnr ~.~intcr ranyr~. The mule deer population utilize all habitats, but the poculation is limited because of deep snows in the area. Non- game species comprise the majority of the mammals .in the pcarmit area. The birds in the area c.•ere carefully described in a site-bu-site, habitat-by-habitat investigation. Portions of the permit area, the A'offat area in particular, are used by Columbian sharp-tailcr7 rrrnuse, blue grouse and sage grouse to varying degrees during the year. 'lhe Columbian share-tailed grouse crcce cstensively studied by the applicant. The documentation begins on page 2.7-14 of the application. The four stations in the ary vatic biology study showed coma rF:a blc similarity. Pc ri phyton, benthic invertebrates anal Fishing msourcerr were obs•_rved. The biota in Oak Creek appeared to be previously impacted by strum relocations for the railroad and the highway, as well as previous mining in the area and c~raste disposal from the toc/n of Oak Creek.