2010-11-12_PERMIT FILE - C1981010A (8)

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Practically all species selected are adapted to, or occur in either big sagebrush-grass or mountain shrub vegetation types. (Refer to Section 2.3 for a discussion of vegetation types and species of plants present prior to mining.) In general, the plant species selected for inclusion are those showing desirable characteristics for the intended land use. Species known to occur in the vegeta- tion types but not identified in the 1979-1980 vegetation sampling were identi- fied by the plant information network (PIN) as occurring within Moffat County between 6,000 and 8,000 feet, i.e. the elevation range of Trapper Mine. Some introduced plant species, highly adapted and traditionally used in range improve- ment seeding, have also been included. Introduced species included in the vari- ous species mixes are recommended by the local Soil Conservation Service Planting Guide and by other experts. These species have shown to be adapted to the vege- tation types present and to be of benefit to the end land use. As used in this application, a native plant species is defined as a plant species that may be found in a potential plant community within Moffat County in either of the two major vegetation types occurring within the proposed mine plan area. • I A naturalized plant species is defined as a desirable plant species that now exists as a self perpetuating member of a potential plant community and known to have a foreign origin or was derived from hybridized stock. An introduced plant species is defined as a plant species of either a foreign or hybridized origin and is of a desirable nature that has proven to be a desirable addition in range improvement programs. An invader plant species is defined as an undesirable plant species that regard- less of origin displaces desirable plant species. These species generally invade a site as a result of misuse (Stoddart, et al., 1975). 3-85 REVISED FEB 13 '87