Laserfiche WebLink
<br />L <br />Tamara Naumann - 2 - May 13, 1988 <br />A significant portion of the plateau which would be directly affected by <br />mining was historically irrigated hayland which has reverted back to native <br />vegetation. Big sagebrush is the visually dominant species, with a well <br />developed understory of grasses including Blue grams (Bouteloua gracilis), <br />Indian ricegrass (Oryznpsis hymennides), needle and threa ipa coma a) and <br />galleta. Localized areas are ominated by Cheatgrass (Bmmus tectnrum and <br />broom snakeweed (Xanthocephalum sarnthrae) is is also a un ant in some areas. <br />The soils are sta a wit no evi ence o erosion and very little bare soil <br />exposed. Drainage side slopes are thickly wooded with pinyon-,iuniper and <br />drainage hottoms are dominated by dense stands of big sagebrush up to five <br />feet tall, <br />The survey within the project area was conducted by driving slowly through the <br />area nn existing ranch roads, stopping occasionally to allow for closer <br />observation, No Lupinus crassus plants were observed in the pro,iect area. <br />Further, no sites were Tncate or indicated by soil and topographic mapping <br />which appeared to meet the "search image" of sparsely vegetated clayey <br />hillslopes or dry washes at elevations of 5;500 to 6,000 feet. Liven the <br />plant's affinity for Mancos shale derived substrates and the ahsence of any <br />Mancos exposures in the lease area, it probably does not occur within the <br />tract. <br />• cc: Dave Andrews <br />Lathy Bege,i <br />?353F <br /> <br />5-11 <br />