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• above East Salt Creek, vegetation similar to that of the canyon bottom <br />(with the exception of the riparian habitat) is found. Douglas fir <br />(Pseudotsuga menziesii.) appears in the higher elevations along with <br />Gambel oak ( uercus gambelii), serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), cur- <br />rant (Ribes inebrians), gooseberry (Ribes montigenum), wheatgrass <br />(Agropyron sp.), and brome (Bromus sp.). Ground cover on the slopes is <br />approximately 40% du e, to the thick growth of oakbrush; on the ridges <br />and canyon bottom it ranges from 20% to 30%. <br />The southern portion is dominated by a pinyon (Pious edulis)- <br />juniper community. Here, understory is scant, consisting primarily of <br />scattered prickly pear, mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus), and <br />bunch grasses. <br />Fauna <br />• The vegetation of the study area attracts numerous animal <br />species. Mammal inhabitants include mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), <br />coyote (Canis latrans), fox (Vulpes fulva), porcupine (Erethizon <br />dorsatum), skunk (Mephitis mephitis), cottontail (Sylvilagus nuttalli), <br />jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii), and various small rodents and sauria. <br />At the higher elevations, black bear (Ursus americanus), mountain <br />lion (Felis concolor), elk (Cervus canadensis), weasel (Mustela <br />frenata), and snowshoe ha re (Lepus americanus) are occasionally seen. <br />It is probable that the fauna of the area today were also present in <br />prehistoric times, although the heavy vehicular traffic along East <br />Salt Creek has likely forced many into the surrounding uplands. <br />General Environmental Assessment <br />. Judging from present environmental conditions, it is probable <br />that at least the lower elevations of the study area were conducive <br />9 <br />