1987-12-01_PERMIT FILE - C1981017 (183)

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Modern Climate and Biota Average annual precipitation is 18-20 inches or more, with 500-600 falling as snow. Mean annual temperature ranges between 300-400 F. , and the frost-free period is usually less than 50 days. The optimum growing season is short, occurring from early June through late July (U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service 1976) . The proposed drill locations occur in open, grassy clearings; the access roads traverse through both forested areas and open meadows. The forested areas are dominated by Engelmann spruce (Picea enQelmannis) and subalpine fir (Abies iasiocarpa) ; understory vegetation here includes currant (Ribes inebrians) , gooseberry (Ribes montigenum) , wheatgrass (Agropyron spp. and brome (Bromus soot—The open "park" areas adjacent to the timber stands display fescue (Festuca spp. ) , sedges (Carex spp. ) , rushes (Juncos spp. ) , and various wildflowers . Ground cover in the trees is approximately 200, that in the open areas about 300. Fauna sighted or inferred for the area include deer (Odocoileus hemionus) , elk (Cervus canadensis) , black bear (Ursus americanus) , porcu- pine Erethizon dorsatium , mountain lion (Felis concolor , fox (Vulpes fuiva) , snowshoe hare Leous americanus) , various small rodents, and grouse (Yocum et. al . 1968) . General Environmental Assessment • The study area would have been conducive to prehistoric use/occupation probably only during the summer months. There is an abundance of game and edible flora in the area, and water occurs year-round on this side of Hunts- man Ridge due to numerous seeps and springs. However, because of the rather harsh weather one encounters here from early autumn to late spring, it is possible that prehistoric peoples used the study area only as a seasonal hunting ground. The saddle where the existing, to-be-upgraded road and the new access (Pitkin Co. side) meet (see map) may have been used as a high pass by aborigin- als. In recent times , the pass has been used by sheepherders and the high por- tions of Huntsman Ridge. have been grazed (personal communication, Doug Bowman) . Known Cultural Resources A search of the Colorado Archaeological Site Inventory, the Colorado Inventory of Historic Sites , and nominations pending or on the National Register produced no known archaeological and/or historical/architectural resources in the impact area of the proposed drill holes/access . (See Ap- pendix A for Documentation of Files Search. ) The only publication known to us pertaining to the general area is • the "Final Report on an Archaeological Survey of the West Central Colorado 3