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R~C~'`~,~~® <br />• VEGETATION INFORMATION ApR ~ g 2006 EXI3IBIT J <br />Division of Minerals and Geology <br />Existing Plant Communities <br />The Shawano Soil Conservation District did a survey of the site in 1977 and re-evaluated the site in <br />2002. The only pre-existing community of the site was a sparse pinion juniper with little herbaceous <br />understory. See enclosed pictures. Ground weer was estimated at 15% by the District but most of <br />the additional new permit area on the upper part of the hillside is asouth-facing slope that has less <br />ground cover (approx. 10%). The upper part of the slope is north of the permit boundary and this <br />area is mostly bare. Below the permit area to the south aze irrigated fields of hay operated by the <br />landowner. This area is irrigated by Ellison Gulch water and will not be affected by the operation. <br />The District identified the following plants in the understory: <br />-big sagebrush <br />- serviceberry <br />-mountain mahogany <br />- prickly peaz cactus <br />• - snakeweed <br />- Douglas rabbitbrush <br />- galleta grass <br />- bottlebrush squirreltail grass <br />-beardless wheatgrass <br />- cheatgrass <br />- mat pentsomen <br />- hairy gold aster <br />Map I/J shows all vegetation wmmunities within the mine permit area and adjacent azeas. <br />Vegetation Report <br />More detailed information on the site vegetation is found in the report provided by the Shawano Soil <br />Conservation District is included in Appendix C. It includes species identified as well as <br />reclamation recommendations, which are re-iterated in the Reclamation Plan section. <br />Bellgazdt Pit 1/06 38 <br />