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- are latown to exist. No known fossils of significance have been found on or near the project azea. The Mesa Verde Group yields spazse 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). ~i'ATER "1'he topographic surface of the project area consists of a plateau between East Alkali Gulch, Hay Gulch and "No Name Gulch" to the southeast. These aze ephemeral drainages ofvaziable gradient. Surface water within these drainages occurs as a result of seasonal spring runoff and following summer/fall stone events. The project area is not in a major ground water rechazee area. Minim activity in the project azea 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 area. "The general project area consists ofpasture and mountain slt~ub type vegetation along withpinon juniper. ThemostprominentshmbsincludeGambeloak uercus ambelii , Mountain mahogany (Cercocarnus nrontanus), and Utah serviceberry (Arnelanchier utahensis). Other important shrubs include Antelope bitterbrnsh (Pursliia trider:tata), Squaw-apple (Peraphvllum ramosissimum), and Green ephedra E hedra viridis). Scattered pinyon pine Pinus edulis) and Utah juniper (JuniDerus utahensis) occur on the more xeric sites, while scattered ponderosa pine (Pinus nonderosa) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii occur on the more mesic sites. Important species in the understory include bluegrass (Poa spp.), western wheatgrass ( o roe smithii , bottlebrush squirreltail Sitanion htstriz), yucca (Yucca haccata), and milkvetch Astra alas ~.). Portions of the project azea have undergone various vegetation treatments including chaining, burning, and herbicide application. WILDLIFE The project area is diverse in wildlife habitats. Although the project area is primarily cotnposed of the mountain shrub type vegetative commwtity, portions aze also covered by pinon juniper and pasture types as well. The project azea is located in important winter range for deer and elk. THREATENED/ENDANGERED SPECIES