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<br />on well-drained slo-. es that because of shallow soils 'nave not 'caen ccnverteti <br />to agricultural production. Eighteen species were encountered. in wver ~,~.+ras <br />during 1979 vegetation studies (D:ariah Associates 1979). The tape is clklrac- <br />terized by 3asin big sagebrush (_arte:nisia trideni:ata). Comcion understory <br />spxies include: cheatgrass bzvrne (Brninlis tectorv-i) , redstem filaree (Erccit=-.. <br />cicutariian), Russianthistle (saisola ;:ali), and tumoiing hedge.-.ustard <br />(Sis rium altissimum). <br />Upland sagebrush sites sampled on the Nucla study area duri.-ig 1979 exhibited <br />a total vegetative basal cover of 13.48. Basin big sagebrush evidenced the _ <br />highest percent basal cover of any species on this type (4.4$) (Mariah Asso- <br />ciates 1979). <br />Grassland pasture vegetation type. :he grassland past.ire vegetation t}~pe wi.th.i.n <br />the study area occl3pies 24.69 acres or 23.3% of the total study area. Grassland <br />is the Trost predominant vegetation type on lands not c:utrently dist~,irbec ~or <br />subjected to agricultural production. Ho.,rever,- this type is an abandoned hay <br />pasture as evidenced by the many vegetation species inriicative of its past <br />agricultural use and present disturbed nature. Interviews with local ranchers <br />and Nucla Mine personnel indicate that much of the area now in grassland on the <br />Nucla permit was abandoned in 1978. Prior to abandors:w~t, these areas were <br />planted alfalfa Fields. Weedy, undesirable species such as field biriaw`=ed <br />(Conwlvulus arvensis), and com:nn Russianthistle (Salsola kali) aze oa:tt~n <br />on this type. <br />'ibtal vegetative basal cover for the grass lard vegetation type in 1979 was <br />estimated at 9.7i:. Weedy species accounted for over 37~ of t*ie total rover <br />(Nariah Associates 1979). <br />:btal 1979 vegetative production at grasshnd sites was 815.1 lhs/acre. Aiuch- <br />oz the total production was attributed to unidentified perennial grasses and <br />annual forbs (D;ariah Associates 1979). - <br />Agricultural vegetation type. Agricultural lands ccu~Qrise the largest type <br />on the study area accounting for 44.59 acres. TI^.ese lands wale planted <br />`. <br />-17- <br />dUN i 1 19~ <br />• <br />(Revised July 2006) Attachment 2.04.11-1-24 <br />