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some of the drainages. Localized groundwater occurrences are also associated with laterally <br />discontinuous, very fine- to fine-grained sandstones, siltstones, and coal beds, which typically have low <br />storativity and are characterized by variable water yields. Groundwater to the shallow alluvial aquifers <br />occurs as infiltration of precipitation and snowmelt, and as seepage losses from streams, while recharge <br />to deeper bedrock aquifers occurs primarily in outcrop areas. Groundwater movement is generally <br />downdip to the north-northwest. The proposed exploration activities will avoid area drainage channels <br />so that the activities will not affect alluvial/colluvial aquifers. The proposed exploration program will <br />not extend into the Trout Creek Sandstone, and consequently, it will not be affected. While the <br />projected hole depths are generally deeper than the "J" sandstone, this unit is discontinuous in the area <br />and may or may not be present. All exploration holes will penetrate the Twentymile Sandstone, which <br />is a bedrock aquifer of regional importance. <br />Soils: Soils within the project area are formed primarily from weathered fine-grained sandstone, <br />siltstone, and shale. The dominant soils are Argiustolls, Haplocryolls, and Palecryolls associations, and <br />are moderately-deep to deep, well-drained, and have loam to fine-sandy-loam surface textures. <br />Vegetation: There are two primary vegetation groups in the project area: areas dominated by natural <br />vegetation and agricultural lands. A third group is lands revegetated after previous mining activities. <br />Agricultural lands are primarily cultivated croplands and pasture/Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) <br />lands. Natural vegetation types are primarily herbaceous/low shrub vegetation communities, some <br />areas of mesic drainage and herbaceous wetland, and mixed mountain brush, with small inclusions of <br />aspen forest woodland. The revegetated mine lands are primarily herbaceous with some low brush. <br />Prevailing land uses include cropland, rangeland, pastureland, and wildlife habitat, with <br />cropland/rangeland/wildlife habitat being the dominate land uses. <br />Cultivated croplands are lands farmed on a regular basis for annual crops (primarily dryland wheat). <br />Pasture/CRP lands are areas retired from cultivation which have been seeded to herbaceous species to <br />improve forage quantity, quality or utility. Seeded pastureland is dominated by mixed wheat-grasses. <br />Generally, rangeland areas are characterized by stands of mixed mountain brush (dominated by <br />sagebrush/snowberry in the lower elevations and serviceberry/Gambel's oak in the higher areas) <br />interspersed by open meadows with native and pastureland grasses. Revegetated mine lands are <br />similar to seeded pastureland and are dominated by mixed wheat grasses. <br />No federal or state threatened or endangered (T&E) plant species occur in the project area <br />(http://www.blm.gov/co/st/enBLM_Programs/botany.html; accessed 4/10/08). The only rare plant <br />species with federal status with potential to occur in the project area is Ute Ladies' Tresses orchid <br />(Spiranthes diluvialis). The only suitable habitat for this species mapped in western Routt County is in <br />the vicinity of the Yampa River along the floodplain, which is several miles north and west of the <br />project area. Several plants regarded as rare by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP; <br />http://www.cnhp.colostate.edu; accessed 4/10/08) have known occurrences in the Little Snake <br />Resource Area, though mostly at lower elevations and further west of the Sage Creek area. The only <br />CNHP rare plant species with some potential for occurrence in the Sage Creek area are Harrington <br />beardtongue (Penstemon harringtonii) and Autumn willow (Salix serissima). Previous field <br />reconnaissance did not identify any occurrences of these species. <br />Access and locations for the proposed exploration activities have been laid-out to utilize existing roads <br />and two-tracks and previously disturbed areas to the extent feasible, therefore, the proposed exploration <br />activities should not significantly impact existing vegetation communities. Temporary impacts to <br />cropping and grazing activities are anticipated and will be addressed, to the extent feasible, by <br />coordinated scheduling and surface damage agreements with surface owners/lessees. <br />Sage CmkP,.J a-1009 N01 <br />OJIV".Q