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downstream (less than one mile) from the Hawk's Nest Mine. Comparison of <br />• vegetation maps of each site confirm visual observations of the similarity <br />of vegetation in the two areas. <br />On-site surveys of current vegetation at the Hawk's Nest Mine showed <br />no endangered or threatened plant species present. See Table 2.04.10.6 for <br />the current species listed as endangered or threatened in Colorado (Federal <br />Register 1980). <br />Reference Areas <br />Selection of reference areas was complicated by the disturbed nature <br />of much of the permit area near the portals and load-out facility, and the <br />limited extent of oak-shrub vegetation in the vicinity of mine-related <br />disturbance. Examination of Exhibit 2.04.10-A will show that most of the <br />• mine-related disturbance is located within approximately 200 m (650 ft) of <br />the river. There are few undisturbed areas in the oak-shrub vegetation <br />where a 0.8 ha (2 A) reference area could be located. Most potential areas <br />are previously disturbed or atypical due to the presence of a watercourse <br />and where slopes were not too steep to prevent sampling. The oak-shrub <br />reference area shown in Exhibit 2.04.10-A represents the best combination of <br />slope, aspect, typical vegetation and accessibility that could be found <br />within the permit area. <br />The choice of a riparian reference area was dictated by the boundary <br />of the permit area. There is no other undisturbed riparian vegetation <br />within the permit area which is of sufficient width to be sampled. <br />• <br />2.04-48 <br />