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I~ ~~ lu communities resulting in more mixed vegetation types. The riparian areas common to the drainages of this community aze similaz to those of the Sprnce/Fir type discussed above. The Cottonwood Vegetation Community is generally limited to the lower reaches of the Hubbazd, Beaz, Elk, Sanborn and Coal Gulch drainages at elevations below approximately 7,000 feet. However, an old, decadent stand of Cottonwoods was found at approximately 8400 feet under the Elk Creek landslides. Slopes aze typically nearly level to level reflecting an overall wetter soil moisture regime as compared to the Douglas-fir • and Spruce/Fir vegetation communities located adjacent to drainages. Common tree species include narrow-leaf cottonwood (Populus angustifolia) and box-elder (Acer ~' negundo) with Douglas-fir, Englemann spruce, and juniper species occurring on side- slopes under drier soil moisture conditions. Aspen may also be present in topographic depressions or in deeper, more fertile soils. Understory shrub species include those adapted to more moist substrates such as chokecherry, raspberry (Rubus idaeus), and Woods rose. As a consequence of more level topography and decreased runoff potentials, the wetlands and Waters of the U.S. associated with this vegetation community aze broader and more well developed as compazed to drainages in other vegetation communities. t~ Scattered across the project area, the Grass/Forb Vegetation Community is associated primarily with neatly level to moderately sloping sites on a variety of aspects. Similazly, L elevations vary. This community occurs as small natural clearings within other vegetation types, revegetated development disturbances, and heavily grazed meadows oRen associated with developed stockponds. Dominant vegetation includes a variety of native and introduced herbaceous species depending upon the origin of each delineation. Native species present include wheatgrasses (Agropyron sp.), bluegrasses (Poa sp.), needlegrasses (Stipa sp.), and a variety of pensternons (Penstemon sp.), as well as rushes (Juncos sp.) and spikerushes (Eleocharis sp.) bordering stock pond margins. Introduced species present, depending upon the disturbed site, include smooth brome (Bromus inermis), crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), and alfalfa (Medicago sa/iva) along with a number of introduced weedy species at varying densities (I-Iayes Environmental Services, lnc., 1995). The "Bare" cover designation includes rock slides, steep-walled cliffs, and other azeas where slumping has, and is occurring. WATER INFLUENCE ZONES Vegetation in the project azea for wetlands, other waters of the U.S. and riparian zones is !`; the same as that described in the February 2000 Final Environmental Impact Statement .~ (EIS) for the Iron Point Exploration License, the Iron Point Coal Lease Tract and the Elk Creek Coal Lease Tract. (Page 3-94 through 3-96) Therefore, that write-up is included in ~~'j this report. These areas are delineated on Figure 1 -Vegetation Map. They are found ~.1 primarily in drainages where streams aze depicted in blue, and are readily recognizable due to the moisture regime and onsite vegetation. 7