2008-02-04_PERMIT FILE - C1982056A

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within the south-central portion of the proposed permit area and are typically dominated by smooth brome • (Bronuis inermis). Those portions of the proposed permit area which have been previous)}• surface-mined are now sustaining, successful revegetation efforts toward a diverse managed pasture post-mining land use. Of these reclaimed sites, approximately 620 acres have been released from bond. Proposed facilities are planned to occup}• certain portions of reclaimed land still under bond. The bond for these areas will be transferred to the new perm il. Topograplp• of [he planned permit area typifies high mountain parks of Colorado and is characterized by gently to moderately sloping hills with north and south exposure. The perimeter of the park exhibits steep foothills, and occasionally steep bluffs occur wherever the Twentymile Sandstone outcrops. Elevation of the proposed permit area ranges from 6,600 to 7,600 feet above MSL and averages 6,800 feet above MSL. The proposed permit area is situated in [he western Colorado semi-arid middle latitude steppes and is characterized as having a highland continental climate (USDI, BR 1982). This climate condition is typified by heavy snowfall and cold temperatures in the winter months, and moderate summertime temperatures with less than 20 percent of [he average annual precipitation occurring during [he months of June, July and August. Freezing temperatures can occur during an}• month of the year resulting in a short growing season. The average growing season extends from mid-May [o mid-September (131 days), and the period of mean daily temperature greater than 32 degrees F is from late March tumid-November (235 days). Major native plant species begin their grown in mid-April and are in the main phase of growth by mid-May. Peak flowering (anthesis) is usually reached by the firs[ two weeks of July. Average annual precipitation in the area is approximately 16 inches with 8.1 inches from April to Ocrober and 7.9 inches from November [o March. More detailed discussion of climate can be found under Rule 2.04.8. METHODOLOGY • Vc~ctation Manning. A vegetation map of the proposed permit area was prepared at a scale of 1:12,000 and in accordance with Rule 2.10. All vegetation types within the proposed permit area and within one kilometer of the boundary are delineated based on [he visually dominant perennial species and are presented on Map 18, Premising Vegetation. The location of reference areas are also shown on [his map. Mapping of the vegetation types was accomplished by interpretation of aerial imagery, transferring delineations to a topographic map, and field checking interpretations during field studies. Interpretations were made from black- and-white stem-paired aerial imagery at two scales: 1:12,000 and I :24,000 and then checked against [rue color imagery at a scale of I :6,000 and color infrared EROS photography at a scale of I:I 5,200. Field reconnaissance prior to mapping on various undisturbed examples of each community provided the photographic diagnostic data necessary for photo-interpretation. Questionable interpretations were field checked by direct observation during the sampling period. Samnline Locations. The vegetation q•pes in areas of proposed facilities were inventoried for species composition, ground cover, current annual productivity, and woody plant density. Sampling sites for plant communities which will be disturbed by surface activities were selected prior to actual field work. Areas of planned surface disturbance, '/. of '/< sections for [he borehole or shaft, a 200 yard strip on both sides of the planned access road, and [he entire Fish Creek Floodplain, were delineated on a draft vegetation map and overlain by a finely divided grid. Random . numbers identified the x and y coordinates of points on this grid which were then transferred to the field map. Enough points were plotted within each potentially affected community to satisfy expected sampling needs. f`1R 97-154 2.04-~I Revised 10/02/97