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• 2. Grassland (pasture) -Areas of abandoned pasture comprised largely of wheatgrass <br />(Agroovron sp.), brome (Bromus sp.), fescue (Festuca sp.), plantain (Plantago sp.) and alfalfa <br />(Medicaoo sativa). <br />3. Agricultural -Primarily monocultures of alfalfa. <br />4. Juniper - A small community of Utah juniper (Junioerus osteosoerma). <br />5. Riparian -A small community along an irrigation ditch characterized by common cattail (Tvoha <br />latifolia) and Baltic rush (Juncus balticus). Several narrowleaf cottonwood (POpUIU <br />anpustifolia), plains cottonwood (Populus sargentii), Chinese elm (Ulmus parviflora), and <br />saltcedar tamarisk (Tamarix sp.) trees occurred along this type. <br />A more detailed description of these vegetative communities is found in Peabody Addendum 10-1 <br />and on Map 2.04.10-1. <br />The wildlife studies are detailed in Section 2.04.11. Game animals sited on or near the study area <br />were mule deer, desert cottontail, ring-necked pheasant, and, potentially, mourning doves. <br />The mule deer are utilizing the more densely wooded Pinyon-Juniper slopes to the north and east <br />of the permit areas on a year-round basis. The deer utilize the permit area primarily for browsing. <br />The desert cottontails utilize the shrubs and subshrubs of the study area for both browse and cover. <br />Pheasants and mourning doves are both highly adapted to agricultural activities, using the farmland <br />for feeding and the shrubs along fence rows for cover. <br />Carnivorous species include the coyote (Canis latrans), striped skunk (Meohitus mephitus), and red <br />fox (Vuloes fulva). Raptors include Cooper's hawk (Accipiter coo erii), red-tailed hawk (Buteo <br />iamaicensis), and American kestrel (Falco soarverius). All of these species utilize a wide variety <br />of habitats and adapt readily to human activity. For example, the striped skunk will build dens <br />under buildings and the American kestrel will nest on buildings. The small mammals and songbirds <br />identified during baseline studies are all common to agricultural areas, as well as grass and shrub <br />lands that predominate in the area. <br />Land Use <br />Premining land use has been primarily agricultural, both as pasture and hay production. Wildlife <br />use has been of secondary importance. Postmining land use plans (as described in Section <br />• (REVISED 4-18-96) 2.05.6(2) - 2 <br />