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• Winters are long and cold . Although precipitation <br /> exceeds potential evapotranspiration, more than half the <br /> precipitation falls as snow. Due to the steep slopes , <br /> runoff is rapid when the snow melts , with the result that <br /> much of the precipitation is lost to the plants . <br /> The upper rim of the Basin, known as Huntsman <br /> Ridge, is within the permit area . Elevation of the ridge is <br /> from 10, 500 ' to 11, 852 ' . The upper tree limit in the area <br /> averages about 11 , 400 ' . Consequently, a part of the area <br /> within the permit area is above timber line , and vegetation <br /> is confined to two distinct tundra community types : Alpine <br /> Fellfield , dominated by low cushion plants ; and Alpine <br /> Meadow, dominated by graminoids . The tundra communities <br /> even extend as low as 10, 500 ' to the west of Huntsman Ridge . <br /> However, areas of surface disturbance occur within <br /> an elevation range of 7 , 500 ' at the lowest point of the <br /> access road , to 8 , 000 ' at the wash/preparation plant area, <br /> to around 10, 000 ' at the mine portals . <br /> As summarized in Table III-H-1 , the Aspen Shrub- <br /> land community type is characteristically found at 8 , 000 ' <br /> elevation; Aspen Woodland at 9 , 000 ' -10, 000 ' , and Spruce/Fir <br /> Parkland at 8 , 800 ' -11 , 400 ' . Bunchgrass meadow also occurs <br /> at the 9 , 000 ' level . <br /> Community types at lower elevations are the Spruce <br /> Fir Forest , the Mixed Montane Woodland and Shrubland . <br /> -9- <br />