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included Absarokee, Pollard-Torriorthents, Work Clay loams, Disturbed land, and Fluvents. Disturbed land <br />was considered the areas disturbed by mine development. <br />The influence of topography is readily apparent in the development of the soils at the Blue Ribbon Mine. On <br />the east-facing slope to the west of the mine, the soils are generally deep (more than 60 inches) and have clayey <br />subsoils. On the west-facing ridge, those slopes with a more southerly exposure are generally shallow (less than <br />20 inches) to moderately deep (20 to 40 inches) and are clayey throughout. On the more northerly exposures on <br />the west-facing ridge, the soils are moderately deep to deep, and have clayey subsoils. <br />Vegetation -Rule :?.04.10 <br />Specific information regarding collection and analysis of vegetation can be found in Section 2.04.10. <br />Additional information can be found in Exhibit E. <br />Vegetation communities on the Blue Ribbon Mine permit area were surveyed on July 29, 1981. Five <br />communities were identified and their distributions are shown in Exhibit E. The communities are oak shrub <br />(west aspect and east aspect), mountain mahogany, riparian, and disturbed areas. These communities are still <br />evident with the exception of the disturbed area, since the mine is now mostly reclaimed. <br />The west aspect, oak shrub community can be found along the northeastern edge of the permit area. The <br />dominant overstory species is Gambel oak. Grasses were found only in openings in the oak shrub, and were <br />practically nonexistent under the dense stands. The slope of this area varies from 15 to 50 percent, with a west <br />aspect. At the time of the survey it was noted that this community had been extensively grazed, with Indian <br />Ricegrass showing the heaviest signs of use. <br />The Mountain mahogany and Oak shrub community can be found along the southeastern side of the permit <br />area. The slope varies from 40 to 70 percent, and has a southwest aspect. Due to the aspect, the vegetation on <br />the southwest-facing slope is not as dense as the oak shrub community with the west aspect. <br />The riparian community is found along Hubbard Creek. The community varies in width from 20 to 120 feet. <br />The dominant overstory species is willow. Boxelder and Alder are also found in the overstory. The understory <br />dominants are Canada thistle, Redtop, Kentucky bluegrass, and sedges. Due to the mining operation, much of <br />the riparian community had been disturbed down to the edge of Hubbard Creek which allowed the Canada <br />thistle to establish: The riparian area has now been reclaimed. <br />The disturbed areas occupy about 20 acres of the permit area. These areas had been disturbed by the past <br />mining operation and were mostly bare ground. <br />Fish and Wildlife -Rule 2.04.11 <br />More information regarding Fish and Wildlife resources can be found in the permit application in Section <br />2.04.11. <br />Methods used for gathering site-specific wildlife information included an extensive literature search and an <br />on-site field reconnaissance. The literature review of wildlife in the vicinity of the Blue Ribbon Mine was <br />obtained from the Colorado Division of W ildlife, Office of Surface Mining, Bureau of Land Management, and <br />