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The mesas and the valley slopes at the canyon base support sparse salt desert vegetation, including grasses such <br />as galleta (Hilaria �a� mesii), indian ricegrass (Oryzopsis hymenoides) and squirrel tail (Sitanion hystrix) and <br />shrubs such as winterfat (Ceratoides lanata), shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia), big sagebrush (Artemis' <br />tridentata) and fourwing saltbrush (Atriplex canescens). The riparian zone adjacent to the Colorado River <br />supports a variety of grasses, shrubs and trees, including willows (Salix sM.), cottonwoods (Po ulus sm..), salt <br />cedar (Tamarix parviflora), and bluegrass (Poa Wk.). <br />Further information on vegetation can be found in Tab 10 of the permit application. <br />Wildlife <br />Canyon walls in the permit area provide potential raptor nesting sites, and peregrine falcon nesting has been <br />documented in the permit area in recent years. The river is used by waterfowl during migration, wintering and <br />nesting seasons. Western portions of the permit area provide winter range for mule deer, and overlap a portion of <br />a federally designated wild horse management area. During winter months, bald eagles have been observed along <br />the Colorado River through DeBeque Canyon. Four species of threatened or endangered fish may potentially <br />inhabit the Colorado River in this area. These are the bonytail, Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker, and <br />humpback chub. <br />Additional information on the wildlife in the area can be found in Tab 11 of the permit application. <br />Land Use <br />Due to the long mining history of the area, and existence of the Cameo Power Plant adjacent to the North Portal <br />mine facilities, current land use along the river and I -70 corridor in the mine vicinity is industrial. Wildlife habitat <br />is the primary use on adjacent dry uplands and tributary canyons. The post - mining land use for the permitted area <br />is wildlife habitat, with the exception that the Division approved, within Permit Revision No. 3 a postmining land <br />use of "Industrial or Commercial' for a designated portion of the disturbed area within the South Portals facility <br />area. Also with Permit Revision No. 4, the Division proposes to approve a postmining land use of "Industrial or <br />Commercial' for the entire Unit Train Loadout area as shown on Exhibit 63 of the permit application package. <br />10 <br />