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Page 6 <br />The average annual precipitation is 8 - 12 inches, 30 to 40 percent <br />occurring from November through March. The growing season is March <br />through October. The major growth occurs prior to June, utilizing <br />primarily stored winter moisture. Some regrowth can occurs in late <br />summar or early fall provided there is sufficient rainfall. <br />The size of the coal waste disposal site (Pit No. 6, Soils 6 Vegetation <br />Map) is approximately 18.88 acres. The Clayey Saltdesert range site <br />occupies approximately 85 percent (15.95 acres) of the 18.88 acres. The <br />remaining 15 percent (2.93 acres) is occupied by the Salt Flats range <br />site. The actual disturbance will involve approximately 12.0 acres of <br />Clayey Saltdesert and 1.45 acres of Salt Flats. <br />The Clayey Saltdesert range site primarily consists of Gardner Saltbush <br />(Atriplex nuttalli) as the dominant species. Shadescale (Atriplex conteri- <br />folia) also occurs in close proximity, usually along the gullies. Grasses <br />consist of galleta (Hilania jamessi), Salina wildrye (Elymus Salina), squirrel- <br />tail (Sitanion gip.), Indian ricegrass (Oryzopsis hymenoides), and possibly <br />alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides). Invader species include cheatgrass <br />(Bromus tectorum), and annual saltweeds. The ground cover is sparse and <br />rarely exceed 15 to 20 percent. <br />The forage value df this range site is low for horses, cattle, deer, <br />cottontail, jackrabbit, and upland game birds. The forage value is <br />medium for sheep, antelope, and prairie dog. This range site has not <br />been rated high forage value for any use. <br />The potential plant composition by air dry weight is as follows: <br />Percentage <br />Gardner Saltbush (Atriplex nuttallii) 25-30 <br />Shadescale (Atriplex confertifolia) 20-30 <br />Galleta (Hilaria jamesii) 10-20 <br />Saline Wildrye (E1 us Salina) 5-10 <br />Alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides) 0-10 <br />