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deep and moderately-deep, well-drained, gently sloping to moderately steep soils on uplands <br />and in valleys". <br />Vegetation: There are two primary vegetation groups in the project area: areas dominated <br />by natural vegetation and agricultural lands. A third group is lands reclaimed after mining. <br />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 <br />inclusions of aspen forest woodland. Agricultural lands are primarily cultivated croplands <br />and pasture/Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands. The reclaimed mine lands are <br />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. Cultivated croplands are <br />lands farmed on a regular basis for annual crops (primarily Dryland wheat). Pasture/CRP <br />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 <br />wheat-grasses. Generally, rangeland areas are characterized by stands of mixed mountain <br />brush (dominated by sagebrush/snowberry in the lower elevations and serviceberry/Gambel's <br />oak in the higher elevations) interspersed by open meadows with native and pastureland <br />grasses. Revegetated mine lands are similar to seeded pastureland and are dominated by <br />mixed wheat grasses. <br />No federal or state threatened or endangered (T&E) plant species occur in the project area <br />(http://www.blm.,i4ov/co/st/en/BLM Programs/botany.html; assessed 4/10/08). The only rare <br />plant species with federal status with potential to occur in the project area is Ute Ladies' <br />Tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis). The only suitable habitat for this species in Western <br />Routt County is in the vicinity of the Yampa River along the floodplain, which is several <br />miles north and west of the project area. Several plants regarded as rare by the Colorado <br />Natural Heritage Program (http://www.cphp.colostate.edu: assessed 4/10/08) have known <br />occurrences in the Little Snake River Resource Area, though mostly at lower elevations and <br />further to the west of the project area. The only CNHP rare plant species with some potential <br />for occurrence in the project area are Harrington beardtongue (Penstemon harringtonii) and <br />Autumn willow (Salix serissima). Previous field reconnaissance did not identify any <br />occurrences of these species. <br />Access and locations for the proposed exploration activities have been laid-out to utilize <br />existing roads and two-tracks and previously disturbed areas to the extent feasible, therefore, <br />the proposed exploration activities should not significantly impact existing vegetation <br />communities. Temporary impacts to cropping and grazing activities are anticipated and will <br />be addressed by coordinated scheduling and surface damage agreements with surface <br />owners/lessees. <br />Wildlife: The sagebrush, pastureland and mixed brush vegetation types in the project area <br />support a variety of wildlife species. Information on wildlife in the vicinity of the project <br />area was obtained from federal and state agencies, as well as, site-specific studies for <br />adjacent coal properties. The BLM and Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW), in <br />partnership with CNHP, keep information on area wildlife including big game, game birds <br />and other species of concern. - This includes federal and state listed T&E species, and other <br />species considered to be rare or of special interest. Seneca Coal Company conducts annual <br />PSCM 2011 NOI 10 April 2010