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Mud Creek Pit -Reclamation Permit Application -112 (C) Exhibits Page 44 of 67
<br />EXHIBIT J -Vegetation Information
<br />1. Source(s) of information: USDA Soil Conservation Service, Soil Conservation District, USDA
<br />National Forest Service
<br />2. Vegetative communities and conditions: As shown in tables J-1 and -2.
<br />This site is located within the Semiarid Benchlands and Canyonlands ecoregion, which is characterized by
<br />broad, grass-, shrub-, and woodland-covered benches and mesas. This ridge between the Mud Creek and
<br />Chicken Creek valleys is a classic example of the ecoregion, as modified by man's activities in the 20"'
<br />Century and today.
<br />Table J-1. Veaetative communities:
<br />Communi Ecolo ical site Ve etation la er and dominants ecies
<br />Loamy Foothills (generally soil type 26). Most of this plant community on the site has been
<br /> converted to irrigated cropland. Where undisturbed, characteristic vegetation
<br /> includes Westem wheatgrass (20%), Muttongrass (20%), Big sagebrush (15%),
<br /> Bottlebrush squirreltail (5%), Rubber rabbitbrush (5%), and Needleandthread (5%).
<br /> Production varies from 900 to 1,600 pounds er acre.
<br />Salt Meadow (generally soil type 71). This is found in the northeast buffer zone, in the swale, is
<br /> generally undisturbed, and will remain so. Characteristic vegetation includes
<br /> Alkali sacaton (40%), Westem wheatgrass (10%), Inland saltgrass (10%), Sedge
<br /> (10%), Rubber rabbitbrush (5%), Baltic rush (5%) and Greasewood (5%).
<br /> Production varies from 1,200 to 1,800 ounds er acre.
<br />Clayey Foothills (generally soil type 124) This vegetation community is found at the toe of the
<br /> wooded area in the northwest portion of the site, is generally undisturbed, and will
<br /> be disturbed only for Plant Site B. Characteristic vegetation includes Western
<br /> wheatgrass (50%), Big sagebrush (20%), and Indian ricegrass (5%). Production
<br /> varies from 600 to 1,200 ounds er acre.
<br />Pinyon-Juniper (generally soil type 137) Although soil and terrain suitable for this community
<br /> include much of the northern portion of the site, much of the area with Ustorthents
<br /> soils has been logged off and converted to irrigated cropland or grassland. The
<br /> two remaining areas of this community on the site are on more steeply sloped
<br /> areas not deemed suitable for cultivation. Characteristic vegetation includes
<br /> Twoneedle pinyon (15%), Utah juniper (15%), Big sagebrush (20%), Muttongrass
<br /> (10%), Westem wheatgrass (10%), and Indian ricegrass (5%). Production varies
<br /> from 500 to 700 pounds per acre. Most of these areas will not be mined, but the
<br /> frin a areas will be mined and reclaimed as cro land.
<br />Pits The pit areas on the site were all formerly Loamy Foothills ecological sites, and
<br /> now include remnants of that as well as some vegetation more similar to the
<br /> Pinyon Juniper community, and large bare areas with little or no vegetation. While
<br /> there is some weed infestation, it is not significant and will be controlled as part of
<br /> minin o erations.
<br />Irrigated cropland/pasture Irrigated land was originally mostly Loamy Foothills, with some Pinyon Juniper. As
<br /> crops have not been cultivated for the past two or three years, the vegetation is
<br /> sparse and includes both species common to the original community and adjacent
<br /> communities, as well as volunteer remnants of previously seeded crops and
<br /> introduced pasture grasses. With properly maintained irrigation systems providing
<br /> the equivalent of approximately 20 inches of precipitation per year, plus an average
<br /> of 17" of natural precipitation, this community should be capable of production in
<br /> excess of 2,000 unds er acre, and avers in 1,500.
<br />Subirrigated Some portions of the site are subirrigated due to seepage from the stock dams
<br />pasture/cropland located east of the permit area, along the swale identified as a wetland on the
<br /> northeast corner of the property. This is similar in nature to the irrigated cropland
<br /> and aature.
<br />McStone Aggregates, LLC 15 FEB 2008 ©WASTELINE, INC 2008 PN 5006.1-4(009)
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