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grass dominated with only widely scattered alfalfa plants. The pasture areas in the southeastern <br />• part of the site (Photo J-1) appear to have originally supported stands of smooth brome (Bromus <br />inermis). Smooth brome still occurs in the pastures, but several different shrub species including <br />western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis), Wood's rose (Rosa woodsii) and poison ivy <br />(Toxicodendron rydbergii) have become well established. This change in vegetation may be <br />related to changes in the local hydrology that have occurred along the flood plain of Big Dry <br />Creek. The creek is not dry, even in late summer since it carries irrigation water in addition to <br />any natural run-off. The increase in the amount of water in the stream appears to be affecting the <br />local water table. <br />Disturbed Areas. Disturbed areas on the site include cropland, roadsides, an oil/gas well <br />production site, and a ranch yard with numerous buildings and corrals. The cropland areas are <br />tilled and cultivated on an annual basis and are used primarily for production of garden <br />vegetables. Irrigation water for the fields is supplied by a series of overland flow feeder ditches. <br />Weedy species occur along the edges of the fields and along temporary access roads. Numerous <br />weedy species were observed in the disturbed areas (Table J-1). An example of the roadside <br />• disturbed areas can be seen in the right side of Photo J-6. <br />Riparian/Lowland Areas. Riparian lowland areas occur along Big Dry Creek (Photos J-3 <br />and J-4). Most of the riparian areas are located outside proposed mining areas. The areas are <br />characterized by scattered plains cottonwood (Populus sargentii) and peach-leaved willow <br />(Salix amygdaloides) trees. Dense stands of coyote willow (Salix exigua) are also common <br />(Photo J-4). Several wetland species also occur, but the wetland species tend to be deeply rooted <br />and may be accessing saturated conditions that are deeper than 12 inches. Numerous other <br />upland species also occur in this vegetation type (Table J-1). <br />Wetland Areas. Wetlands occur along the banks and low lying areas adjacent to Big Dry <br />Creek and the Lupton Bottom Ditch (Photos J-5 and J-6). Major species in these areas include <br />coyote willow (Salix exigua) and reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea). Saturated soil <br />conditions in these areas support numerous wetland species (Table J-1). Most of the wetland <br />sites occur outside the areas proposed for mining. There is, however, one small wetland area in <br />the southeastern part of the site where a small livestock watering pond was developed (Map 1). <br />• <br />2