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12 <br /> ponderosa pine-oak at the Allen Mine. The same type of, but not as <br /> many, physical structures and roads occupy the pinon-juniper type which <br /> is interspersed through a portion of the active mine area. <br /> Grassland <br /> This type, found primarily in the vicinity of the Maxwell Mine, is <br /> essentially a westward extension of the shortgrass plains, with much <br /> of the same flora and fauna. Dominant plants are blue grama (Bouteloua <br /> gracilis) , western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii) and fringed sagebrush <br /> (Artemesia frigida). The reference area described by Uniscale Corp. <br /> (1980) is on a level plateau at about 7,200 ft elevation. Many of the <br /> buildings and other structures of the mine were erected within this <br /> type, and the necessary transportation network was constructed. <br /> Most of the species described as occupying the ponderosa pine-oak <br /> and pin-on-juniper types will occasionally use the grassland type. Quite <br /> specific to the grassland is Ord 's kangaroo rat and Cassin' s sparrow. <br /> Riparian <br /> This type is described briefly earlier in this report. The Uniscale <br /> Corp. (1980) report includes a description of a willow carr, a specific <br /> riparian habitat, but does not deal with riparian habitats generally. <br /> Riparian habitats, per unit of area, provide a highly productive, <br /> structurally diverse environment for a wide variety of mammals, birds, <br /> reptiles and amphibians (see Appendix lists) . This vegetation, when <br /> intact, reduces bank erosion and provides shade and shelter for fish <br /> in the stream and a home for insects used as food by the fish. <br />