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4.0 GEOGRAPHY <br />4.1 Climate <br />The climate of the area is classed as semi -arid continental. Mean summer temperature in the <br />Rangely area is about 67 degrees F. Mean winter temperature is about 29 degrees F. <br />Precipitation averages 10.16 inches annually (50 -yr average 1950 -2000, Rangely, CO). <br />Approximately 40 percent of this occurs during the months of November through April, primarily <br />in the form of snow. <br />4.2 Land Use <br />Land use in the proposed exploration license area consists of wildlife habitat year round and <br />sheep grazing during the winter months, December through April. <br />4.3 Soils, Vegetation and Wildlife <br />Soils are derived from sandstones and shales. Occasionally the soil profile may exhibit <br />considerable interbedding of parent materials. Much of the area has thin topsoil consisting <br />primarily of sandy loam. <br />Bottom land drainages are heavily covered with sagebrush. Sandy soils on higher ground are <br />covered with sagebrush, juniper trees and native grasses. The highest slopes are densely <br />covered with junipers. Native grasses are also common on these slopes. The area provides <br />habitat for elk, mule deer, pronghorned antelope, white - tailed prairie dog, badger, coyote, and <br />various species of raptors, upland gamebirds and small mammals. <br />4.4 Archaeological Sites <br />Numerous archaeological surveys have performed around the adjacent Deserado Mine site <br />area and elsewhere that prior exploration or other surface disturbing activities have been <br />conducted. Roads and drill sites have been located to avoid known archaeological sites, <br />however, it is expected that BLM will inspect the drilling locations in the field. A cultural <br />resource inventory was conducted to identify cultural resources that could potentially be <br />impacted by the proposed exploration activities. The cultural resource survey findings were <br />5 <br />