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-1U- Three major soil types occur on the permit area. A Torriorthents - Haplaryids complex, very stony, and a Torriorthents - Rock outcrop, sandstone complex occur on the steep south facing slopes rising to the north of the North Fork. The slopes are characaterized by a high percentage of exposed bedrock and are quite variable in texture and depth. The Torriorthents - Haplargids complex occurs on the lower slopes in the vicinity of the surface disturbance at Hawk's Nest and because they are formed in colluvial and alluvial deposits, these soils are generally deeper than those on the steeper slopes above. The Fughes - Curecanti stony loam, a deep well drained soil, has developed on the gentler slopes at higher elevations in the northern portion of the permit area. No alluvial valley floors (AVF's) exist within the permit area. Below the town of Somerset the North Fork Valley broadens out and alluvial deposits which meet the geomorphic and irrigation criteria of an AVF are present. Vegetation types in the general area, as identified by the applicant, include oak slrruo, ponderosa pine - douglas fir, pinyon - juniper, and riparian. The oak shrub type dominates the lower north facing slopes to the south of the Worth Fork and is interspersed with the ponderosa pine - douglas fir type at higher elevations. The oak shrub type occurs along the river bottom on the north side of the river and extends up draws and along ephemeral drainages. The oak shrub type is replaced by pinyon - juniper on the steep south facing slopes of the canyon, then occurs again on the gentler slopes above. In addition to gambel oak, (Quercus ambelii), associated shrub species include snowber•ry (S m horicar os spp• mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus), and skunkbush sumac Rhus trilobata). Common understory species include slender wheatgrass (N ro ron t~rac~h caulum), junegrass (Koeleria cristataj, arrowleaf balsamroot Balsamorrhiza sagittata), and goldenrod Solid ago ~nissouriensis). Understory vegetation in the pinyon - juniper community is sparse, due to the shallow, rocky soils and steep south exposures. A narrow riparian zone occurs along the banks of the North Fork and is typified by shrubs such as willow, (Salix spp.), hawthorn, (Crataegus s~~) redosier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera and alder (Alnus spP.). Herbaceous species inclu~setai quisetum spp•) and various fortis and grasses. Numerous wildlife species inhabit the general area. The most prominent big game species, mule deer and elk, utilize the mountain shrub habitat in and adjacent to the permit area throughout the year. The Northern Bald Eagle is a winter resident along the North Fork, and is the only rare or endangered wildlife species in the area. The North Fork from Paonia Reservoir downstream 5 miles to Somerset is stocked by the Division of Wildlife with catchable Rainbow trout and supports an estimated 2,000 angler days per year. Below Somerset to the confluence with the Gunnison, the fishery is less important, with rough fish making up a larger proportion of the fish population.