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As stated earlier, the sagebrush type represents a remnant native community that has been <br />severely altered because of intensive agricultural land use and associated support activities. <br />Though these sites normally have a pinyon - juniper tree overstory previously discussed), these <br />have most likely been removed for fencing materials, firewood, land clearing, and from the <br />impacts of high concentrations of grazing animals. Most of the type occurs as inclusions in <br />irrigated pastures or adjacent to the highly productive Swale type. The pastures are usually <br />heavily stocked at least during part of the year, resulting in a high level of animal pressure from <br />grazing and trampling. The sites are also periodically used as equipment parking, storage, or <br />boneyard areas and winter livestock feeding areas. The shallow soils, rock outcrops, and low <br />natural precipitation, further reduce the potential productivity of the site, while increasing the <br />potential for further deterioration and decreasing the opportunity for any recovery. The <br />majority of species encountered during cover sampling (see Table 2.04.10 -11) were increaser <br />or invader species. Consistent with the composition of severely deteriorated native plant <br />communities in the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau regions, cheatgrass, Basin big <br />sagebrush and broom snakeweed accounted for nearly 70 percent of the vegetative cover, <br />mile the latter two shrubs accounted for 88 percent of the woody plant densities. Because of <br />less severe animal impacts, the far eastern portion of the study area containing the sagebrush <br />type appeared to be in slightly better condition. The occurrence of grass, forb and tree <br />species adapted to more mesic conditions (see Table 2.04.10 -11) is a result of occasional <br />supplemental moisture received as tailwater from adjacent irrigated areas. This is not a <br />dependable supply of water and appears to be more a function of timing and the level of <br />irrigation water management applied to these adjacent lands. The presence of a heavy <br />sagebrush overstory and the senescent condition of the mesic species at the time of sampling <br />indicates only a sparse supplemental water availability. <br />The type is not an important component when considering the local land use and management <br />objectives. Conversion to a higher or better use would be done if not for the militating site <br />conditions and associated costs. <br />5.6 Irrioated Cropland (IC) Within the study area, irrigated cropland (Attachment 2.04.10 -8, <br />Figures 4 -7 and 4 -8, formerly Peabody Appendix 10 -4) generally occurs on flat to gently <br />sloping landforms that have moderately deep to deep soils (see Section 2.04.9, Soils <br />Resource Information). The most extensive area of irrigated cropland occurs in the western <br />portion of the study area, with the balance occurring in the central portion of the study area. <br />Revised September 2010 (PR 06) 2.04.1049 <br />