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PAONIA AREA, COLORADO • The potential plant community on the Beenom soil consists mainly of bluebunch wheatgrass and other wheatgrasses, muttongrass, and Junegrass. As range condition deteriorates, the wheatgrasses, muttongrass, and Junegrass decrease, forbs and woody shrubs in- crease, and undesirable weeds and annual plants invade and become more abundant. Seeding can be done on the Beenom soil if range is in poor condition, but steep slopes and surface stoniness are limitations. Western wheatgrass and bluebunch wheatgrass are suitable for seeding. Grasses that meet the seasonal requirements of livestock should be select- ed. Preparing a seedbed and drilling the seed, where possible, help to obtain the best results. Seeded areas should be fenced. The Beenom soil is used for winter range by mule deer. At the high elevations it is used for winter range by elk. Some important plant species which can be man- aged for optimum production are big sagebrush, bitter- brush, serviceberry, low rabbitbrush, and wild rose. If the Beenom soil is used for urban development, the main limitations are slope, depth to bedrock, and shrink- swell potential. If it is used for septic tank absorption fields, permeability is also a limitation. The limitations can be overcome by the use of proper design and con- struction methods. The Absarokee soil is well drained and overlies bed- ~ck at a depth of 20 to 40 inches. It formed in locally ransported sediment derived from sandstone and inter- bedded shale. Typically the surface layer of the Absarokee soil is dark grayish brown loam about 7 inches thick. The sub- soil is brown clay about 18 inches thick. The substratum is light brown channery clay loam. Sandstone is at a depth of about 30 inches. In the Absarokee soil, permeability is moderately slow and available water capacity is low. Effective rooting depth is about 30 inches. Surtace runoff is rapid. The hazard of erosion from wind is slight and from water is moderate to high. On the Absarokee soil the native vegetation consists mainly of Gambel oak, serviceberry, big sagebrush, and snowberry. Wheatgrasses, pine dropseed, needle- grasses, brome, and needleandthread are common grasses. Most areas of this association are used for grazing by livestock and wildlife and for recreational purposes. Because of steepness of slope, the Absarokee soil is unsuited to crops and reseeding of depleted or burned areas in native vegetation is not feasible by conventional methods, A fair degree of success can be expected by broadcasting seed for nonirrigated plantings of grasses in spring or fall. Smooth brome, pubescent wheatgrass, and crested wheatgrass are adapted species. Good pas- ~e management should be practiced to maintain the s. 17 The potential plant community on the Absarokee soil consists mainly of Gambel oak, mountain brome, nod- ding brome, slender wheatgrass, and elk sedge. As range condition deteriorates, mountain brome, nodding brome, slender wheatgrass, and elk sedge decrease, forbs and woody shrubs increase, and undesirable weeds and annual plants invade and become more abundant. Seeding is advisable on the Absarokee soil if range is in poor condition. Slender wheatgrass and western wheatgrass are suitable for seeding. Grasses that meet the seasonal requirements of livestock should be select- ed. Where possible, preparing a seedbed and drilling the seed help to obtain the best results. On some sites, control of competing shrubs is required to improve range condition. Seeded or brushed areas should be fenced. The Absarokee soil is used for winter range by mule deer and elk. Some important plant species which can be managed for optimum production are bitterbrush, mountainmahogany, Gambel oak, serviceberry, and elk sedge. Berry-producing shrubs are an important habitat element for black bear. This soil provides habitat for Merriam turkey, blue grouse, and band-tailed pigeon. In favorable years mature Gambel oaks produce acorns, which are used by Merriam turkey. If the Absarokee soil is used for urban development, the main limitations are depth to bedrock and slope. If this soil is used for septic tank absorption fields, perme- ability is also a limitation. The limitations can be over- come by the use of proper design and construction methods. This association is in capability subclass Vlle, nonirri- gated. 14-Billings silty clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes. This is a deep, well drained soil. It formed in silty allu- vium and is on fans and flood plains. Elevation ranges from 4,SQ0 to 6,500 feet. Average annual precipitation is about 10 inches, average annual air temperature is about 50 degrees F, and the average frost-free season is about 150 days. Typically the surface layer is light brownish gray silty clay loam about 4 inches thick. The underlying material, to a depth of 60 inches, is light brownish gray, stratified silty clay loam and clay loam. Permeability is slow, and available water capacity is high. Effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Sur- face runoff is medium. The hazard of erosion from wind and water is moderate. Included with this soil in mapping are a few small areas of Chipeta, Persayo, and Killpack soils. Also in- cluded are areas of Aquic Natrargids and Gullied land. In some areas the surface layer is silty clay or silt loam. The native vegetation on this soil consists mainly of greasewood, shadscale, founving saltbush, and galleta. Most areas of this soil are used for irrigated crops, mainly row crops, small grains, hay, and pasture. ~ ~~