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are known to exist. No known fossils of significance have been found on or near the project azea. The Mesa Verde Group yields sparse faunas of both marine and non-marine elements. No study exists with specific reference to the botanical fossils related to the Menefee coals nor on the non-marine invertebrates on the associated units (Fischer, 1951). WATER The topographic surface of the project area consists of a plateau bericeen East Alkali Gulch, Hay Gulch and "No Name Gulch" to the southeast. These are ephemeral drainages of variable gradient. Surface water within these drainages occurs as a result of seasonal spring runoff and following summer/fall storm events. The project azea is not in a major ground water rechazge azea. Mining activity in the proj ect area would occur approximately 40 feet above the piezometric surface, which is static water level. VEGETATION No onsite investigations were conducted of the proposed project area. The following information is excerpted from the COC 60941 Coal Lease Application EA (1997), and generally describes the project azea. "The general project area consists of pasture and mountain slvub type vegetation along withpinon juniper. ThemostprominentshrubsincludeGambeloak uercus mnhelii , Mountain mahogany (Cercocarnus montanus), and Utah seiviceberry (Amelmrchier ufahensis). Other important shrubs include Antelope bitterbrush (Purshia p•identaur), Squaw-apple (Peraghrlluna ramosissimunr), and Green ephedra (Ephedra viridis). Scattered pinyon pine (Pintrs edulis) and Utah juniper (Juniperus utahensis) occur on the more xeric sites, while scattered ponderosa pine (Pir7us ponderosa) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuoa menziesii occur on the more mesic sites. Important species in the understory include bluegrass (P~a spy.), western wheatgrass ( o •ron smithii , bottlebrush squirreltail (Sitanion hvstriz), yucca (Yucca baccata), and milkvetch (AsttaQalus spy.). Portions of the project area have undergone various vegetation treatments including chaining, burning, and herbicide application. \VILDLIFE The project azea is diverse in wildlife habitats. Although the project area is primarily composed of the mountain shrub type vegetative commwtity, portions are also covered by pinon juniper and pasture types as well. The project area is located in important winter range for deer and elk. THREATENED/ENDANGERED SPECIES