Laserfiche WebLink
ELU #9 <br /> Geomorphology : Steep slopes with large areas of <br /> exposed rock. The soils are shallow and have a <br /> high erosion hazard and mass movement potential . <br /> Stream gradients are steep and generally flow only <br /> during the spring runoff . The ELU is very sensi- <br /> tive to disturbance because the high elevation <br /> (over 11 , 000 ' ) severely limits vegetation response . <br /> Water generated from this unit is of excellent <br /> quality . There is virtually no potential to <br /> increase water yield through vegetative manipula- <br /> tion . <br /> Vegetation: Complex community of alpine grasses , <br /> forbs and shrubs . Revegetation production poten- <br /> tials are low. <br /> b . Wildlife inventory <br /> The wildlife population of the Coal Basin, <br /> including the permit and adjacent areas, includes big game, <br /> mammals and birds . (See Appendix III-I-3) <br /> (1) Big game <br /> Big game animals include deer , elk and <br /> mountain goat . These animals represent the most important <br /> wildlife resource in terms of economic value . <br /> Mule deer and elk are the most common <br /> big game species , with primary habitat being in the Aspen- <br /> Conifer vegetation type. The vegetation provides abundant <br /> food and cover and is accessible by numerous routes parallel <br /> to the stream tributaries of Coal Basin . <br /> During the summer , deer and elk use the <br /> north flank of Coal Basin as a fawning and calving ground , <br /> probably because the area provides excellent grazing habitat <br /> -7- <br />