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ERO Resources <br />fortis and weedy half-shrubs. The scattered juniper are relatively young <br />• l<100 yearsl, indicating a recent invasion by this species. These <br />disturbances are more predominant on south- and southwest-facing slopes. <br />The feature of disturbance associated with generally south-facing slopes <br />is a trend on the permit area and will be discussed in detail below. <br />Slopes having southerly e~osures are used more heavily by sheep than <br />other areas where snow may remain for a large part of the winter. <br />Evidence of erasion and signs of use by sheep both indicate that this <br />vegetation type is regresaional in character. The significance of the <br />regressional character of these stardc applies most strongly Lo the herb <br />layer where the effects are markedly demonstrated. Damage from erosion is <br />also evidenced in the pedestalling of shrubs. <br />The major use of this vegetation type is as winter cover grounds for sheep <br />and wild game animals. The sites may also serve as travel ways for sheep <br />moving from open areas. <br />• t41 Potential Impacts and Reclamation Oonortunities. <br />Mitigation and Enhancement; <br />The impacts that may occur in the juniper-sagebrush communities include <br />the construction of staging facilities and roadways. A Few small patches <br />of this type that occur on exposed knolls may also be affected by rail <br />load-out facilities and mine waste disposal. Removal of any mature trees <br />that may occur in these areas should be avoided. Damage to the sites can <br />be minimized during construction operations by avoiding unnecessary <br />cutting of trees and controlling erosion. Improvements to the herb layer <br />can be effected by revegetation. Specific improvements include planting <br />of herbaceous species more resistant to damage by sheep and the toxic <br />effects of juniper litter. 4Rieatgrasses, particularly the bunch-forming <br />species, will compete well on the revegetated sites in this vegetation <br />type. The use of ceedbed preparation techniques that produce hard-to- <br />erode surfaces, such as heavy roughening, will increase revegetation <br />success on these sites. <br />• <br />II.F-31 <br />