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The cropland found within the proposed permit area is located near <br />the Gossard Loadout and covers approximately 71 acres in small <br />parcels; however, none of these areas will be disturbed by the <br />planned mining operations. <br />Cropland within, and adjacent to, the permit area has been <br />historically planted to winter wheat and alfalfa grass mixtures; <br />the grain is harvested the following summer with the hay also being <br />harvested at that time. The wheat fields then lie fallow the next <br />year to allow the soil moisture to recharge. The cropping pattern <br />in the region is to alternate years of harvest with years of <br />leaving the ground in fallow. A limited amount of livestock <br />grazing is done on these fields after they are harvested in the <br />late summer and fall. Wheat production averages 30 bushels per <br />acre during crop years, and irrigated hayland averages 3 tons per <br />acre per year. <br />Pasturelands found within the proposed permit area cover approxi- <br />mately 10 acres and also will not be disturbed. Pasturelands are <br />grazed by livestock, especially sheep and cattle, during the <br />spring, summer, and fall. <br />• Reclaimed minelands are now becoming an increasingly important land <br />use component within the permit area. Substantial acreage of this <br />type is now available for use by local wildlife populations and <br />will become increasingly important as mining continues. These <br />reclaimed areas are becoming the habitat of choice for local deer <br />and elk populations during the fall and spring months and winter <br />months when snow cover is not a limiting factor. <br />Land Condition CaAability and Productivity <br />The present condition of the permit area can be described as good <br />to fair for rangeland conditions. A trend toward improvement has <br />taken place over much of the area due to reduced livestock grazing <br />during the last several years since the land was obtained by <br />Colowyo. Grazing has not been allowed within the initial Colowyo <br />permit area since fences were constructed in 1977 and will not be <br />allowed in the additional permit area once fences are constructed <br />in 1991. <br /> <br />2.04.3-2 <br />