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UE6E?ATI~N INFOP.MATI!)N <br />SAN COMMUNITIES: Following are descriptions of the basic plant <br />communities found on this site. This classification does not follow any <br />• particularly natural taxonomy, but is based upon a visually discerned <br />classification as well as a classification which would be important to the <br />reclamation of the site. <br />GRASSLAND =IOW ELEVATION: The low elevation vegetation occupies the areas <br />to the north, northeast, and east of the gravel topped mesas where the mining will <br />occur. Part of the area described is not in the permit itself, but is similar <br />adjacent land. Thi$ land seems to be related to the presence of the heavier clay <br />soils. <br />The dominant appearance of the area is as a grassland dotted with occasional <br />shrubs. The dominant grass is Blue Gxama, but there are several other grasses <br />including Western Wheatgrass, some Muhlenberaia, Stioa tomato, and some occasional <br />patches of panicum viraatum (Switchgrass). Mixed with the grassland are a number <br />• of forbs including various members of the Asteraceae, Prickly Pear and Tree Cholla <br />cactus, and Wild Alfalfa. At the time of the vegetation survey (late August) many <br />of the plants had already entered the early stages of dormancy and therefore <br />identification to species was difficult. Of course, in the spring one would <br />expect a completely different set of plants to be visible. These areas are known <br />for their abundant wildflowers and it is suspected this area would be about <br />average, considering the area is grazed by cattle and horses. <br />The vegetation cover, in most areas, is quite goad. It is estimated that the <br />minimum cover value would be about 75°t, but the average would be between 80~ and <br />90~. <br />The shrub layer in this community is composed of mainly two species. Rubber <br />Rabbitbrush and Snakeweed forms most of the shrub cover, but as the gravel hills <br />• page 2 of 6 Exhibit J <br />