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grazed. The largest tract of rangeland is situated in the eastern end of the study area <br /> where a tree component of Siberian elm (Ulmus up mila) has become established in <br /> conjunction with the pinyon and juniper. <br /> Adjacent Habitats. The habitat in areas immediately adjacent to the study area include <br /> habitats that are essentially the same as those previously discussed, reclaimed ground at <br /> the existing Nucla Mine and Pinyon/Juniper woodlands (Exhibit 11-3). Irrigation waters <br /> supply hayfields, pastures, and croplands. Farmsteads and orchards are present throughout <br /> the Nucla vicinity. Low-lying areas and drainages support swale vegetation. Native <br /> stands of pinyon-juniper woodland and sagebrush predominate on the bluffs above Tuttle <br /> Draw and continue to the north toward the Uncompahgre Plateau. The town of Nucla borders <br /> the study area to the east. Adjacent habitats within 0.5 miles of the study area are <br /> mapped on Exhibit 11-3. <br /> Methods and Materials <br /> Site Reconnaissance and General Sampling Outline. A site reconnaissance was conducted on <br /> 20-22 May, 1987 to assess the various habitats and their distribution and to develop a <br /> baseline sampling plan. From this visit, the following general sampling outline was <br /> implemented: <br /> Sampling Periods: A spring/summer sample would take place in late May. This period <br /> would include late migrant bird species yet would cover most breeding <br /> species in the study area. Summer observational records would be made <br /> during the course of summer vegetational surveys. A fall sample would take <br /> place in early October. A winter raptor roosting and feeding area survey <br /> would be conducted in early January 1988. <br /> Habitats: The habitats to receive most of the sampling effort would be the farmsteads <br /> and orchards, swales, and rangelands. Lesser sampling efforts would be <br /> conducted in the remaining habitats. <br /> The proposed sampling outline was transmitted to Mr. Peter O'Connor of the Colorado Mined <br /> Land Reclamation Division (CMLRD) via letter correspondence dated July 6, 1987 for <br /> concurrence. Concurrence was received from the CMLRD on July 31, 1987. This <br /> correspondence is documented in Attachment 11-1. <br /> Literature Survey and Information Acquisition. A literature survey was conducted to <br /> determine the historical, actual or potential occurrence of wildlife species in the Nucla <br /> 11-2-6 Revised 04/11/88 <br />