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• Woody plant density measurements in 1999 differed from 1987 as suffruticose species were <br />not measured consistent with Guidelines for Compliance with Land Use and Vegetation <br />Requirements for Coal Mining. Succulents were also not included in the density calculations. <br />Mean density for the type was 0.42 stems/50m2 or 34 stems/acre (Table 2.04.10-32). <br />Sagebrush dominated with an average density of 0.24 stems/50m2 or (19 stems/acre). <br />Mormon tea was the next dominant shrub with .18 stems/50m2 or (15 stems per acre). <br />The dryland pasture vegetation type as identified occurs on soils similar to soil map unit 98C in <br />the study area. Sagebrush, Mormon tea, blue grama, and cheatgrass have invaded the site <br />since it was planted to amono-culture of crested wheatgrass. This invasion over the last 25 <br />years has been low however as evidenced by shrub woody stem density of 34 stems/acre and <br />shrub production of only 22 pounds/acre. This data is consistent with field observations which <br />show that the invaders are small and scattered. Production of 447 pound/acre is also <br />consistent for this type within this precipitation/elevation zone over shallow soil. <br />The dryland pasture reference area was originally a pinon-juniper/ sagebrush range site <br />consisting of scattered pinon and juniper. Under story consisted primarily of sagebrush, four- <br />s wing saltbush, blue grama and galleta. <br />Farmsteads. Orchards. Facilities and Other Tvpes. The remainder of the study area <br />includes farmsteads, orchards, support facilities, roads, ponds, irrigation ditches, and disturbed <br />areas. Because of the intensity of activity in the area, the number of operators within the study <br />area, and the length of time that these activities have been ongoing in the area, a portion of the <br />study area is included within this category (approximately 5.7 percent of the study area and 5.3 <br />percent of the disturbance area). <br />There are three active farmsteads or homesites within the study area and four inactive or <br />abandoned farmsteads or homesites. Only Morgan, Johnson and Martin currently live within <br />the permit boundary. Johnson has actually sold his proprerty to WFC and will leave once mine <br />operations begin. The size of these farmsteads range from over three acres down to less than <br />one acre and include buildings, yards, corrals and other support facilities. Only the Johnson <br />property occurs on the better soil and more gentle topography of the study area. The <br />remainder are located on poorer soils that tend to be rocky and moderately deep to shallow, <br />• (REVISED 9/99) 2.04.10 - 89 <br />