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on the slopes leading down into the valley. In some places the rocks become rather large, but on <br />the whole it is the typical matrix of Pleistocene gravel outwash. The change in texture creates a <br />soil that has limited water holding capacity and therefore cannot support a great deal of <br />vegetation. In local areas where the slope is very gradual or level or in isolated spots where <br />water can accumulate, the growth is considerably richer. In general, however, because of the soil <br />matrix and sloped topography, most vegetation growth is weak. <br />Shrub Stands <br />Anywhere that water tends to accumulate or concentrate, Skunkbrush Sumac shrubs are found. <br />A few areas occur along Charter Oak Ranch Road in the drainage ditches, but most are found <br />along some of the west facing drainageways and at the base of the transition slope from the <br />upland to the valley floor. It appears that the shrubs prefer the deeper drainages that accumulate <br />the most snow during the winter and retain the most moisture during the summer. These are <br />typically the drainages that face east and west. South facing drainages are appear to be too hot <br />and dry to support the shrubs. <br />The plants themselves can range from isolated individuals a few feet tall and several feet wide to <br />small thickets composed of several plants. <br />Implications for Revegetation <br />A vast majority of the natural species on the proposed amendment area are warm season grasses <br />with only small amounts of cool season grasses. Thus, the reclamation seed mix concentrates on <br />warm season grasses with a small amount of cool season grasses. <br />The final vegetation will likely be strongly dominated by warm season grasses on the slopes and <br />on the drier portions of the pit bottom. Cool season grasses, although they may initially do fairly <br />well on the slopes, will not likely maintain much cover or density on slopes in the long term. <br />However, on the bottom of the pit the cool season grasses should have some long term success. <br />Leaving the topography on the bottom fairly rough with gentle, low relief hillocks and valleys <br />will be desirable to maintain a strong and diverse growth. In wetter areas on the bottom it is <br />likely that the Skunkbush Sumac will invade fairly quickly and provide some erosion control and <br />sedimentation benefits. <br />It is not necessary to plant shrubs or trees. <br />Fountain Pit M-1982-155 <br />DRMS 112 Permit Amendment Page 23 <br />