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The growing season in the area varies depending on elevation and exposure with a maximum <br />of 96 frost-free days. <br />Soils found within the permit boundary vary greatly depending on slope, aspect and <br />topographic position. Basically, two soil orders (Entisolls and Aridisols) occupy the site, as <br />well as one rock outcrop complex. Deeper soils are found along the valley bottoms and the <br />plateau top with shallow soils associated with rock outcrops along the side slopes. Both soil <br />orders have an ustic moisture regime. Soils in the disnirbed area are non-existent, since all <br />surface disturbance took place prior to the enactment of any statutory reclamation <br />requirements. <br />Vegetation is non-existent in the bench area due to past disturbances. Over the undisturbed <br />perntit and effected areas, vegetation is distributed in response to micro-climatic inFluences. <br />The dominant vegetation in the area is a mountain shrub community. Gambles Oak is the <br />most prominent shrub along the sideslopes, forming dense stands. On the plateau top, the <br />oak tends to grow in clumps with open stands of grasses interspersed. A juniper pinon <br />community is found on the more xeric southern slopes with scattered individuals of Douglas <br />Fir-Ponderosa Pine encountered on more mesic northern slopes. The valley bottom of Hay <br />Gulch is occupied by introduced pasture. <br />A variety of wildlife species utilize the permit and surrounding areas. The Colorado <br />Division of Wildlife has identified the general area of the mine site as critical deer winter <br />range. Since no new surface disturbance is planned, the effect to wildlife will not increase <br />during the course of mining. Wildlife use will increase upon completion of successful <br />reclamation. <br />5 <br />