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-26- <br />• <br />XI. Vegetation (cont'd) <br />• <br />The applicant proposes to use the control areas as the revegetation success standard <br />for herbaceous cover and production. Species diversity and woody plant density <br />standards will be developed following completion of the vegetation sampling. The <br />diversity standard will be based on species composition and life form importance for <br />herbaceous vegetation and species composition as determined from relative density <br />for shrubs. <br />Upon cessation of mining, all areas will be regraded, topsoiled, then revegetated. <br />Seeding for revegetation will be done in the fall season. The species and amount of <br />seed to be planted will be defined following the collection of baseline vegetation <br />data. The seed will be drilled on level areas and on slopes which will permit <br />machine work along the contour. A11 other slopes will either be hydroseeded or <br />broadcast seeded. All seeded areas will be mulched with grass fiber material or <br />straw mulch. <br />Revegetation will be difficult at this location because of Low precipitation and <br />saline and sodic soils. However, under intensive management, the applicant should <br />be able to meet the revegetation success criteria. <br />With satisfactory resolution of the stipulations, the proposed operation will be in <br />_._-.._ - ~gpmpliance with the requirements of this section. <br />XII. Fish and Wildlife (2.04.II, 2.05.6(2), 4.18) <br />The fish and wildlife resources information is contained in Section 2.04.11 of Volume <br />I of the application. The applicant consulted Division of Wildlife and Bureau of <br />Land Management wildlife authorities regarding the potential impact of mining <br />operations on wildlife species. <br />The Whittaker Flats area in the northwestern portion of the permit area provides <br />winter range fora portion of the Roan Creek mule deer herd. The western third <br />of the permit area makes up a small part of the Little Bookcliffs Wild Horse Area. <br />Neither of those populations are expected to be impacted significantly by mining, <br />since surface activities are well removed from their important ranges. <br />The canyon walls in the general vicinity of the operation provide potential nesting <br />habitat for raptors. The surface facilities are Located along the river at the base <br />of the canyon and are removed by at least 300 yards from potential nesting areas. <br />The presence of Interstate 70 through Debeque Canyon may already have impacted <br />raptors to some degree. No additional impact associated with mining activities are <br />anticipated with respect to raptor nesting, since there are no plans to disturb <br />any additional area. <br />Riparian habitat along the Colorado River through the permit area provides nesting <br />weer mallard ducks and Canada geese, and the river is used by numerous waterfowl <br />species during spring and fall migrations and during the winter. <br />The river itself is classed as a warm water fishery and may support populations of <br />four threatened and endangered fish: the Colorado Squawfish, the Razorback Sucker, <br />'the Humpback Chub, and Boneytail Chub. <br />The fish and wildlife plan is presented on page 58 of Volume Vin the application. <br />The plan specifies that the quality of water leaving the mine site will be monitored <br />in order to detect any potential impacts on aquatic species. The plan indicates <br />that, "in planning specific reclamation activities, special note will be taken <br />toward enhancing wildlife habitat". The wildlife habitat with the greatest potential <br />