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RULE 2 PERMITS <br />2.04.3 Land Use Information <br />The Collom expansion area occupies the south - central headwaters of the synclinal Axial basin (along the <br />Danforth Hills) and generally drains to the northeast, eventually into the Yampa River which is a tributary <br />to the Green then Colorado Rivers. Elevations in this area range from just below 6,400 feet +/- above <br />mean seal level to approximately 8,567 feet. Typical stream gradients in the headwaters range from 3 to 5 <br />percent but occasionally exhibit steeper reaches, and 1 to 3 percent along the colluvial floodplains lower <br />in the watershed. Adjacent upland drainage side slopes range from moderately steep to steep ( >35 %) <br />whereas the "benches" between drainages generally exhibit flatter slopes with a northeasterly aspect <br />between 1 and 5 percent. <br />The predominant land use type identified in the Collom permit expansion area is jointly Rangeland /Fish <br />and Wildlife Habitat (Map 17). A minimal area outside of proposed disturbance boundaries has been <br />characterized as pastureland. Map 17 serves to identify both the pre and post -mine land use designations. <br />Colowyo is focused on re- establishment of the joint land use of Rangeland/Fish and Wildlife Habitat <br />post- mining. Present and potential production of this land use based on soil types found within are <br />discussed in section 2.04.9 Soil Resource Information. There has been no organized mining activity in <br />the Collom Expansion Area in recent history beyond exploratory drilling activities. <br />As defined by Rule 1.04(71)(c), the land use category `Rangeland' is defined as "land on which plant <br />cover is principally valuable for forage. Except for brush control, management is primarily achieved by <br />regulating the intensity of grazing and season of use." As defined by Rule 1.04(71)(h), the land use <br />category `Fish and Wildlife Habitat' is defined as "land used wholly or partially in the production, <br />protection or management of species of fish or wildlife." Livestock grazing (grassland) and Wildlife <br />Habitat have been the primary historical uses of the areas identified for disturbance and Colowyo as the <br />majority landowner (exception of state and BLM land) wishes to maintain this dual purpose use post - <br />reclamation/bond release. <br />Vegetation types within this land use category are not dependent on human - induced influence for long- <br />term maintenance. Ecological principles are often manipulated through altering the intensity, frequency, <br />and seasonality of grazing. Other management techniques applied may include brush control and weed <br />control. <br />The Morgan Creek Ranching for Wildlife area was created in 1993. This is a voluntary cooperative <br />agreement between Colowyo and the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) through their Ranching for <br />Wildlife Program. The original area encompassed approximately 38,000 acres, approximately 33,000 of <br />which were deeded private land owned by Colowyo. Today, Morgan Creek Ranch (MCR) is <br />approximately 30,265 acres, with 25,156 acres of deeded land. The Management Plan for the MCR states <br />that the elevation varies from 6,400 to 8,200 feet, with precipitation ranges from 13" to 20" annually. It <br />supports a wide range of plant communities including primarily sage grasslands, mountain shrub and <br />aspen with riparian bottoms along several major drainages. The historical land use of the ranch has been <br />sheep and cattle cattle grazing. Livestock grazing is limited to mid -May through mid - October due to <br />climatic conditions and a relatively short growing season. Rotational grazing has been implemented <br />using well- maintained boundary and cross fences, along with water developments. Long term planning <br />for grazing management and habitat improvement continues with considerations of weather conditions <br />and resource management. Habitat management objectives are met using a wide range of improvements <br />including grazing management, prescribed burning, water development, and riparian restoration. <br />Competition for forage resources between wildlife and livestock was an issue in the past for landowners, <br />wildlife manag°rs, and land management agencies. Rotational grazing and contmuow:. hz.bitat <br />improvements have enabled Colowyo to continue successfully managing both livestock gra Brig and <br />Collom— Rule 2, Page 18 Revision Date: 9/28/11 <br />Revision No.: PR -03 <br />