2007-02-14_PERMIT FILE - C1981044A (4)

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Parthenium li~,ulatum Penstemon yamoaensis According to the aforementioned publication none of the above mentioned species are reported to occur within the vicinity of the EC Mine complex. The Federal Register (May 1980) lists three (3) threatened and endangered species in Colorado. These are listed below: Echinocercus u~lochidiatus var. inermis Sclerocactus lancus Selerocactus mesae-derde The Forest Service publication reports that these vegetation species do not occur within the vicinity of the EC Mine complex. Since no new disturbance of undisturbed ]and is planned and no known raze or endangered species are listed in the literature for the EC Mine area, it is apparent that the existing and planned mining operations will not adversely impact any rare or endangered plant species. See information presented in Exhibit 15A. The U. S, Fish and Wildlife Service, in their letter of April 8, 1998, advised that Suiranthus deluvialis may be present in the azea. No new surface disturbance is anticipated, therefore, impacts [o the species is unlikely. Range Inventories The United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service completed range inventories of EC's mining operations. Locations of vegetation inventories are presented on the Vegetation Map (Map 20). Property boundary sections and a description of range aspects for EC's properties both natural and man- made are included on the Vegetation Map (Map 20). Range inventory information, recommendations from the Soil Conservation Service for reclamation of range effected by mining, and range condition inventories conducted by Ecology Consultants, Inc. have been included in Exhibit 14, Supplemental Vegetation Information. Yana Proiect Environmental Analysis Ecology Consultants, Inc. was contracted by Steams Roger, Inc. in 1978 to conduct an environmental resources survey for the Yampa Project Environmental Analysis. The following narrative describes the methodology and results of this environmental resources survey. After a reconnaissance of the region, sites were selected for detailed studies of the structure and composition of chazacteristic terrestrial communities. Care was taken to select locations which were representative of each community-type as a whole. Because of the pemranent ecological instability, which chazacterizes cultivated lands, only natural communities were samples. It should be emphasized, [hat the natural biotic community surrounding the EC Mine site have been markedly effected by past and present agricultural and ranching practices. Vast areas of natural vegetation have been replaced by an extensive dry land grain industry, especially in the lower portions of the northern slope of the Williams Fork Mountains. All of the region sagebrush communities have been modified in terms of species composition and coves by livestock grazing. Study sites were located where recent grazing had not been heavy. Four (4) vegetation communities representing the major ecosystems in the area were selected for the study. These four (4) vegetation communities were as follows: Permit Revision 04-34 2.04-35 Revised 7/2/04