3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

3.7 Vegetation 

3.7.1 Vegetation Studies Performed 

A vegetation survey was conducted within the area originally planned for the 

Permit Area during the 2006 growing season. Two vegetation types were 

identified and delineated: Upland Big Sagebrush Shrubland and Lowland Big 

Sagebrush Shrubland. The southern and southeastern Permit Area boundaries 

were changed in early 2007, resulting in the addition of about 160 acres to the 

planned Permit Area. In 2009, the East and West Access Roads were added to the 

Permit Area at the request of WDEQ-LQD. When the changes were made, a 

vegetation map was prepared based on aerial photos, and then checked in the 

field. The vegetation types in the added areas were the same as those in the 

original Permit Area. No additional cover sampling was conducted in these areas, 

but information on species present and rare plant habitat was collected. The 

distribution of the two vegetation types, Upland Big Sagebrush Shrubland and 

Lowland Big Sagebrush Shrubland, is shown on Figure 3.7-1 for the main Permit 

Area and on Figure 3.7-2 and Figure 3.7-3 for the East and West Access Roads, 

respectively. 

Each of the two vegetation types was sampled with 20 transects (a total of 40 

transects) using a point-intercept approach to obtain vegetation cover and species 

diversity data. Vegetation cover observations were made on a species basis. 

Observations were also made for cover by litter and bare soil. The sampling 

locations are shown on Figure 3.7-1. Specific information about each of the 

sampling locations at the Permit Area is presented in Table 3.7-1.

Shrub and semi-shrub density data were obtained by counting all of the individual 

plants that occurred within one meter on either side of the transect line that was 

used for collecting cover data. This approach consisted of establishing a belt 

transect that was two meters wide and 25 meters long (a total of 50 square 

meters). The data from the transects were used to compute the mean number of 

shrubs and semi-shrubs per square meter and the number per acre. In addition to 

shrubs and semi-shrubs, density counts were also made for prickly pear cactus. 

No trees occurred on the Permit Area. 

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Table 3.7-1 Vegetation Sampling Locations and Site Information 

(Page 1 of 2) 

Transect 

Number Location Transect Bearing 

Slope

(percent) Aspect Sampling Date 

Upland Big Sagebrush 

1 N42° 07’ 11.0”; 

W107° 53’ 27.5” 300° 2 South June 10, 2006

2 N42° 06’ 31.8”; 

W107° 52’ 40.1” 187° 0 Flat June 10, 2006

3 N42° 06’ 22.1”; 

W107° 52’ 19.7” 278° 0 Flat June 10, 2006

4 N42° 06’ 19.0”; 

W107° 52’ 23.6” 95° 3 East June 10, 2006

5 N42° 06’ 48.2”; 

W107° 53’ 00.7” 280° 2 Northeast June 10, 2006

6 N42° 07’ 26.7”; 

W107° 53’ 16.2” 48° 4 Southwest June 10, 2006

7 N42° 07’ 24.1”; 

W107° 52’ 57.8” 12° 2 South June 10, 2006

8 N42° 07’ 43.2”; 

W107° 52’ 46.0” 280° 3 Southeast June 10, 2006

9 N42° 08’ 09.4”; 

W107° 53’ 16.7” 290° 4 Southwest June 11, 2006

10 N42° 08’ 00.7”; 

W107° 52’ 36.2” 355° 0 Flat June 11, 2006

11 N42° 08’ 11.3”; 

W107° 52’ 39.7” 170° 6 South June 11, 2006

12 N42° 07’ 31.6”; 

W107° 51’ 51.1” 225° 3 South June 11, 2006

13 N42° 08’ 12.6”; 

W107° 52’ 01.1” 274° 0 Flat June 11, 2006

14 N42° 07’ 41.9”; 

W107° 51’ 11.8” 325° 3 Northwest June 11, 2006

15 N42° 08’ 25.8”; 

W107° 49’ 24.9” 229° 1 South June 12, 2006

16 N42° 07’ 56.8”; 

W107° 49’ 37.6” 97° 1 South June 12, 2006

17 N42° 08’ 11.5”; 

W107° 50’ 22.9” 358° 0 Flat June 12, 2006

18 N42° 08’ 10.9”; 

W107° 50’ 47.2” 86° 2 Southwest June 12, 2006

19 N42° 08’ 27.3”; 

W107° 51’ 03.9” 206° 5 South June 12, 2006

20 N42° 08’ 32.3”; 

W107° 50’ 52.1” 171° 5 West June 12, 2006

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Table 3.7-1 Vegetation Sampling Locations and Site Information 

(Page 2 of 2)

Transect 

Number Location Transect Bearing 

Slope

(percent) Aspect Sampling Date 

Lowland Big Sagebrush 

1 N42° 06’ 12.8”; 

W107° 52’ 18.2” 30° 0 Flat June 10, 2006

2 N42° 06’ 55.4”; 

W107° 52’ 55.3” 5° 0 Flat June 10, 2006

3 N42° 07’ 06.4”; 

W107° 52’ 50.0” 355° 1 South June 10, 2006

4 N42° 07’ 24.4”; 

W107° 53’ 03.7” 170° 1 South June 10, 2006

5 N42° 08’ 13.4”; 

W107° 52’ 38.2” 319° 3 Southeast June 11, 2006

6 N42° 07’ 48.3”; 

W107° 52’ 17.3” 158° 2 Southeast June 11, 2006

7 N42° 07’ 33.1”; 

W107° 52’ 22.2” 351° 2 South June 11, 2006

8 N42° 07’ 19.4”; 

W107° 52’ 20.1” 18° 1 South June 11, 2006

9 N42° 08’ 01.9”; 

W107° 52’ 05.6” 360° 0 Flat June 11, 2006

10 N42° 07’ 52.9”; 

W107° 51’ 46.8” 109° 0 Flat June 11, 2006

11 N42° 08’ 07.6”; 

W107° 51’ 54.4” 135° 2 Southeast June 11, 2006

12 N42° 07’ 59.0”; 

W107° 51’ 12.9” 232° 1 Southwest June 11, 2006

13 N42° 08’ 10.5”; 

W107° 49’ 25.6” 72° 1 South June 12, 2006

14 N42° 08’ 11.3”; 

W107° 50’ 30.4” 251° 2 Southwest June 12, 2006

15 N42° 08’ 20.3”; 

W107° 50’ 29.4” 191° 1 South June 12, 2006

16 N42° 07’ 50.5”; 

W107° 50’ 57.6” 195° 0 Flat June 12, 2006

17 N42° 08’ 17.1”; 

W107° 51’ 02.0” 355° 1 South June 12, 2006

18 N42° 07’ 43.4”; 

W107° 51’ 39.7” 285° 1 Southeast June 12, 2006

19 N42° 07’ 37.8”; 

W107° 51’ 33.1” 95° 3 East June 12, 2006

20 N42° 07’ 58.5”; 

W107° 53’ 09.4” 89° 2 Southeast June 12, 2006

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Prior to conducting field work on the Permit Area, a literature review was 

conducted to determine what species of special concern might occur within the 

Permit Area. The review identified several species of special concern that occur 

within the general region (Table 3.7-2). As part of the field work, observations 

were made on the overall species composition of the area and special attention 

was paid to examining any unusual micro-environments where rare plant species 

might occur. Also, WDEQ-LQD Guideline No. 2 (1997) provides lists of 

prohibited and restricted noxious weeds, selenium indicators and plant species of 

special concern. These lists were reviewed and compared with the observed 

species composition at the Permit Area. 

3.7.2 Results of Vegetation Studies Performed 

As part of all field work, observations were made regarding the species 

composition in each of the vegetation types (Table 3.7-3). In all, 58 species were

observed on the Permit Area. In the Upland Big Sagebrush Shrubland vegetation 

type, 36 species were noted; and in the Lowland Big Sagebrush Shrubland 

vegetation type, 43 species were noted, indicating a large overlap of species 

diversity in the two vegetation types. The relatively low number of species is a 

reflection of the overall homogeneity of the environmental conditions on the site. 

The Permit Area has limited topographic variability and no wetland environments 

(Section 3.5).

In the sections that follow, each of the vegetation types is described based on data 

collected and on general observations made during the site visits. 

3.7.2.1 Upland Big Sagebrush Shrubland Type 

The Upland Big Sagebrush Shrubland type covers most of the Permit Area 

(Figure 3.7-1). Figure 3.7-4 is a photograph of an area typical of this vegetation

type. Overall, this type covers approximately 85 percent of the main Permit Area 

and 96 percent of the area along the East and West Access Roads. It covers flat 

areas and the gently sloping south-facing slopes. The slope at the sampled 

transects in this type ranged between zero to six percent (Table 3.7-1). Soils 

throughout the upland areas are mostly shallow and coarse textured. The only 

environmental settings on the Permit Area that do not support the Upland Big 

Sagebrush Shrubland type are the areas along the drainages where the Lowland 

Big Sagebrush Shrubland type grows. 

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Table 3.7-2 Rare Plant Species in Sweetwater County 

Scientific Name Common Name Distribution in 

Sweetwater County 

Heritage 

Rank 

Federal 

Status 

Artemisia biennis var 

diffusa 

Mystery 

Wormwood Central G5T1Q/S 1 C2

Asclepias uncialis Dwarf 

Milkweed Northwestern G3/SH C2, S-R2

Astragalus jejunus var. 

jejunus

Starveling 

Milkvetch 

Eastern & Western 

Edges G3T1/S1 C2

Astragalus 

proimanthus 

Precocious 

Milkvetch 

Extreme 

Southwestern G1/S1 C2

Cirsium ownbeyi Ownbey’s 

Thistle South-Central G3/S1 C2

Descurainia torulosa Wyoming 

Tansy Mustard South-Central G1/S1 C2, S-R2, S-R4

Lesquerella 

macrocarpa 

Large-fruited 

Bladderpod North-Central G2/S2 C2

Oryzopsis contracta 

Contracted 

Indian 

Ricegrass 

Northeast, 

Northwest & 

Southwest 

G3/S3 C2

Penstemon acaulis var 

acaulis 

Stemless 

Beardtongue 

Extreme 

Southwestern G3/S1 C2, S-R4

Penstemon gibbensii Gibben’s 

Beardtongue 

Extreme 

Southeastern G1/S1 C2

Phlox opalensis Opal Phlox West-Central G1/S1 C2

Thelesperma 

caespitosum 

Green River 

Greenthread Southwestern G1/S1 C2, S-R4

Heritage Rank Codes: 

G1: Critically imperiled globally because of extreme rarity (5 or fewer occurrences, or very 

few remaining individuals), or because of some factor of its biology making it especially 

vulnerable to extinction (Critically endangered throughout its range). 

G2: Imperiled globally because of rarity (6 to 20 occurrences) or because of other factors 

demonstrably making it very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range. (Endangered 

throughout its range). 

G3: Very rare or local throughout its range or found locally in a restricted range (21 to 100 

occurrences. (Threatened throughout its range). 

G4: Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of range, especially at 

periphery. 

G5: Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of range, especially at 

periphery. 

T1: The variety is critically imperiled globally because of extreme rarity (5 or fewer 

occurrences, or very few remaining individuals), or because of some factor of its biology 

making it especially vulnerable to extinction (Critically endangered throughout its range). 

Q: Indicates uncertainty about taxonomic status. 

State Rank Codes: 

S1: Critically imperiled in state because of extreme rarity (5 or fewer occurrences, or very few 

remaining individuals), or because of some factor of its biology making it especially 

vulnerable to extirpation from the state. (Critically endangered in state). 

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S2: Imperiled in state because of rarity (6 to 20 occurrences) or because of other factors 

demonstrably making it very vulnerable to extirpation from the state (Endangered or 

threatened in state). 

S3: Rare in state (21 to 100 occurrences) 

SH: Of historical occurrence, not documented in Wyoming since 1920. 

Federal Status Codes: 

C2: Notice of Review, Category 2: taxa for which current information indicates that 

proposing to list as endangered or threatened is possible, but appropriate or substantial 

biological information is not on file to support an immediate rulemaking. 

S: Sensitive: those plant and animal species identified by the Regional Forester for which 

population viability is a concern as evidenced by: 

a) Significant current or predicted downward trends in population numbers or 

density. 

b) Significant current or predicted downward trends in habitat capability that would 

reduce a species’ existing distribution. 

R: Forest Region 

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Table 3.7-3 List of Vegetation Species Observed (Page 1 of 2) 

Scientific Name Common Name 

Upland 

Big 

Sagebrush

Shrubland 

Lowland 

Big 

Sagebrush

Shrubland 

COOL SEASON PERENNIAL GRASSES AND GRASSLIKE PLANTS 

Agropyron dasystachyum Thickspike Wheatgrass x x

Agropyron smithii Western Wheatgrass x

Agropyron spicatum Bluebunch Wheatgrass x x

Carex douglasii Douglas Sedge x

Carex eleocharis Spikerush Sedge x

Elymus cinereus Great Basin Wildrye x

Hordeum jubatum Foxtail Barley x

Koeleria macrantha Prairie Junegrass x x

Muhlenbergia richardsonis Mat Muhly x

Oryzopsis hymenoides Indian Ricegrass x x

Poa secunda Sandberg Bluegrass x x

Sitanion longifolium Squirreltail Grass x x

Stipa comata Needle-and-thread Grass x x

Stipa lettermannii Lettermann Needlegrass x

PERENNIAL FORBS 

Allium textile Prairie Onion x x

Antennaria rosea Pussytoes x

Arabis sp. Rockcress x x

Astragalus mollissimus Woolly Milkvetch x

Astragalus sericoleucus Silky Milkvetch x

Crepis occidentalis Hawksbeard x

Cryptantha thrysiflora Cryptantha x

Erigeron pumilus Fleabane x

Hymenoxis acaulis Stemless Actinea x

Lomatium orientale Bisquitroot x

Machaeranthera canescens Machaeranthera x

Sedum lanceolatum Stonecrop x

Senecio integerrimus Groundsel x

Trifolium gymnocarpon Hollyleaf Clover x x

CUSHION PLANTS 

Arenaria hookeri Hooker's Sandwort x x

Astragalus spatulatus Spatulate Leaf Milkvetch x

Eriogonum acaule Stemless Buckwheat x x

Eriogonum ovalifolium Oval Leaved Buckwheat x x

Haplopappus acaulis Stemless Goldenweed x

Paronychia sessiliflora Nailwort x

Phlox hoodii Hood's Phlox x x

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Table 3.7-3 List of Vegetation Species Observed (Page 2 of 2) 

Scientific Name Common Name 

Upland 

Big 

Sagebrush 

Shrubland 

Lowland 

Big 

Sagebrush 

Shrubland 

ANNUAL FORBS 

Alyssum desertorum Desert Alyssum x

Chenopodium album Goosefoot x

Chenopodium leptophyllum Narrowleaf Goosefoot x

Cordylanthus ramosus Cordylanthus x

Cryptantha minima Small Cryptantha x

Descurainia pinnata Tansy Mustard x

Gayophytum ramossissimum Gaywings x

Lupinus kingii Annual Lupine x

Microsteris micrantha Microsteris x

Navarettia breweri Navarettia x

Polygonum aviculare Devil's Shoestrings x

Polygonum sawatchense Sawatch Knotweed x

Sisymbrium altissimum Tumbling Hedge 

Mustard x

SEMI-SHRUBS 

Artemisia frigida Fringed Sagewort x

Artemisia spinescens Bud Sage x

Ceratoides lanata Winterfat x x

Gutierrezia sarothrae Broom Snakeweed x

Leptodactylon pungens Leptodactylon x x

CACTI 

Opuntia polyacantha Plains Prickly Pear 

Cactus x x

SHRUBS 

Artemisia tridentata Big Sagebrush x x

Chrysothamnus nauseosus Rubber Rabbitbrush x x

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus Rabbitbrush x x

LICHENS 

Parmelia chlorochroa 

(lichen) Parmelia x x

Total Species in Each Vegetation Type 36 43

Total Number of Species = 58 

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Figure 3.7-4 Photo of the Upland Big Sagebrush Shrubland 

* Photo taken at N42° 07’ 04.2”; W107° 53’ 10.7”, looking south, September 2006 

3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

The major species in the Upland Big Sagebrush Shrubland type is big sagebrush, 

which occurs at a mean absolute cover of 14 percent, and accounts for 54 percent 

of the cover by all species. Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), needle-and-thread 

grass (Stipa comata), Indian ricegrass (Oryzopsis hymenoides), and thickspike 

wheatgrass (Agropyron dasystachyum) occur as the most prevalent perennial 

grass species. Together, these four species had a mean cover of eight percent and 

accounted for 31 percent of the cover by all species. Cushion plants are common 

in this vegetation type, but collectively accounted for only six percent of the cover 

by all species (Table 3.7-4). Even though the mean cover values for these species 

are low, they were commonly encountered along all the sample transects. The 

mean total vegetation cover in this type was 26 percent, the cover by litter and 

rock combined was 22 percent, the bare soil category was 52 percent, and the total 

ground cover (vegetation plus litter and rock) was 48 percent. The percent cover 

by bare soil is a reflection of the sparseness of the vegetation in the Upland Big 

Sagebrush Shrubland type. Even though there is a considerable amount of bare 

soil, the vegetation development is very homogeneous across the upland parts of 

the Permit Area. In general, vegetation development in the region is restricted 

because of the limited amount of annual precipitation. 

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Table 3.7-4 Cover Parameters of the Upland Big Sagebrush Shrubland (Page 1 o

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Table 3.7-4 Cover Parameters of the Upland Big Sagebrush Shrubland (Pa

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Table 3.7-4 Cover Parameters of the Upland Big Sagebrush Shrubland (Page 3 

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Shrubs are abundant in this vegetation type. Big sagebrush occurred at a density 

of 12,332 individuals per acre (about three individuals per square meter) and 

rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus) occurred at a density of 1,490 

individuals per acre (0.4 individuals per square meter). While these shrub species 

occur at high densities, none of the plants are tall. In general, most of the plants 

are less than 0.5 meters in height and many are less than 0.25 meters in height. 

Semi-shrubs are also common in these upland areas. The total density for semishrub species was 2,583 individuals per acre (0.64 individuals per square meter), 

with winterfat (Ceratoides lanata) and prickly gilia (Leptodactylon pungens)

occurring as the most prevalent of the semi-shrub species (Table 3.7-5).

In all, 36 species were observed in the Upland Big Sagebrush Shrubland type 

(Table 3.7-2), with a mean density of about 15 species per 50 square meters. 

Table 3.7-5 Shrub, Semi-Shrub, and Cactus Densities of the 

Upland Big Sagebrush Shrubland

Species 

Upland Big Sagebrush 

Shrubland 

Lowland Big Sagebrush 

Shrubland 

Frequency 

(percent)

Mean 

# per 

square

meter 

Mean 

# per 

acre 

Frequency 

(percent)

Mean 

# per 

square

meter 

Mean 

# per 

acre 

SHRUBS 

Artemisia 

tridentata 100 3.046 12,332 100 3.561 14,417

Chrysothamnus 

nauseosus 

0 0 0 35 0.027 109

Chrysothamnus 

viscidiflorus 95 0.368 1490 95 0.64 2,591

Total Shrubs 3.414 13,822 4.228 17,117

SEMI-SHRUBS 

Artemisia frigida 30 0.048 194 0 0 0

Artemisia 

spinescens 5 0.003 12 0 0 0

Ceratoides lanata 55 0.467 1,891 15 0.003 12

Leptodactylon 

pungens

40 0.120 486 35 0.055 223

Total Semi-Shrubs 0.638 2,583 0.058 235

CACTI

Opuntia 

polyacantha 95 0.09 364 50 0.069 279

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3.7.2.2 Lowland Big Sagebrush Shrubland Type 

The Lowland Big Sagebrush Shrubland type on the Permit Area occurs along and 

immediately adjacent to the ephemeral drainages that cross the Permit Area from 

north to south (Figure 3.7-1). Figure 3.7-5 is a photograph of an area typical of 

this vegetation type. Overall this type covers approximately 15 percent of the 

main Permit Area and four percent of the area along the East and West Access 

Roads. The soils along the drainages have the potential for holding more 

moisture than the upland areas. The increased potential soil moisture allows for 

more growth by big sagebrush so that the individual shrubs growing along the 

drainages tend to be much larger than the shrubs growing on the upland areas. 

Along some of the drainages, there are individual big sagebrush plants that are 

more than two meters tall that have stem diameters greater than 20 centimeters. 

Slope measurements along the sampled transects in this type ranged between zero 

and three percent; and all of the transects were either flat or had a southerly aspect 

component (Table 3.7-1).

Figure 3.7-5 Photo of the Lowland Big Sagebrush Shrubland 

* Photo taken at N42° 08’ 27.2”; W107° 49’ 13.7”, looking south, September, 2006 

The major species in the Lowland Big Sagebrush Shrubland type is big sagebrush, 

which occurred at a mean cover of 31 percent and accounted for 72 percent of the

cover by all species. Rabbitbrush had a mean cover of three percent and 

accounted for eight percent of the total vegetation cover. These two dominant 

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shrub species tend to overwhelm the vegetation to the degree that herbaceous 

species account for only limited amounts of cover in this type. All native 

perennial grasses combined had a mean cover of seven percent (16 percent of the 

total vegetation cover), with Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), thickspike 

wheatgrass (Agropyron dasystachyum), and squirreltail grass (Sitanion 

longifolium) occurring as the most prevalent perennial grass species. Forb species 

occur throughout this type, but all occurred at mean cover values that were less 

than one percent. As a group, all forbs and cushion plants accounted for 

approximately three percent of the total vegetation cover. The mean total 

vegetation cover in this type was 43 percent, the cover by litter and rock 

combined was 34 percent, the bare soil category was 23 percent, and the total 

ground cover (vegetation plus litter and rock) was 77 percent (Table 3.7-6).

Overall, the vegetation cover in the Lowland Big Sagebrush Shrubland type was 

17 percent greater than the cover in the Upland Big Sagebrush Shrubland type. 

Shrubs are abundant in this vegetation type. Big sagebrush occurred at a density 

of 14,417 individuals per acre (3.6 individuals per square meter), and rabbitbrush 

(Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus) occurred at a density of 2,591 individuals per acre 

(0.6 individuals per square meter). Semi-shrubs occur in this type, but the overall 

densities are lower than the densities for semi-shrubs in the upland areas. The 

total density for semi-shrub species was 235 individuals per acre (0.1 individuals 

per square meter), with prickly gilia (Leptodactylon pungens) occurring as the 

most common of the semi-shrub species (Table 3.7-5).

In all, 43 species were observed in this type (Table 3.7-2) with a mean density of 

about 13 species per 50 square meters. All of the raw data for vegetation cover 

and shrub density in this vegetation type are presented in Appendix D8 of the 

WDEQ-LQD Permit to Mine (LCI, 2011b).

3.7.2.3 Endangered or Threatened Species 

Threatened and endangered species known to the region include the blowout 

penstemon (Penstemon haydenii) and the desert yellowhead (Yermo 

xanthocephalus). An additional 12 rare plant species are known to occur in 

Sweetwater County (Table 3.7-2). No threatened, endangered, or plant species of 

special concern were observed on the Permit Area; and no rare plants or 

appropriate habitat for them were found along the roadways. 

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Table 3.7-6 Cover Parameters of the Lowland Big Sagebrush Shrubland (Page 1 

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Table 3.7-6 Cover Parameters of the Lowland Big Sagebrush Shrubland (Page 2 o

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3.7.2.4 Weeds and Vegetation Communities with Limited 

Reclamation Potential 

Overall, the Permit Area has very few weeds. In reference to the List of 

Prohibited and Restricted Noxious (Designated) Weeds in WDEQ-LQD 

Guideline No. 2 (1997), only one noxious weed species, tansy mustard 

(Descurainia pinnata), was noted on the Permit Area (Table 3.7-3). Tansy 

mustard is designated as a restricted noxious weed and was observed as scattered 

individuals in the Lowland Big Sagebrush Shrubland. Tansy mustard was not 

actually encountered as part of the cover sampling; however, it did occur within 

one meter of either side of five of the 20 Lowland Big Sagebrush Shrubland 

transects and has a relative frequency of 1.97 percent. No areas dominated by 

weedy species were observed on the Permit Area. 

No vegetation communities with limited reclamation potential (LRP) or plant 

species indicative of soils with LPR were found on the Permit Area. Halophytes 

and salt-tolerant herbaceous species were among the vegetation species observed 

(e.g., Narrowleaf Goosefoot [Chenopodium leptophyllum] and Western 

Wheatgrass [Agrophyron smithii]), but the vegetation communities are dominated 

by Big Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) rather than Greasewood (Sarcobatus 

spp.) or Saltbush (Atriplex spp.). No selenium indicator species, such as Prince’s 

Plume (Stanleya pinnata), were observed on the site, and none of the soils on the 

Permit Area are considered to be seleniferous (Section 3.4.6). As noted in the 

discussion of the soil data, there was surface disturbance prior to LCI exploration 

within the Permit Area. Most of this disturbance was due to historical exploration 

activities for oil and gas, as well as for uranium, and to livestock and wildlife 

grazing. In general, there were no reclamation requirements historically, so the 

areas of prior disturbance may be bare or some vegetation has naturally 

established. However, the extent of the historic disturbance in areas to be 

redisturbed and then reclaimed as part of the proposed action is limited and is not 

anticipated to interfere with the future reclamation. 

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3.8 Wildlife 

The Permit Area is located in the Wyoming Basin ecoregion (Chapman et al., 

2004) at an elevation of approximately 7,000 feet above mean sea level. With 

approximately 260 feet of relief, sub-zero winter temperatures, and less than ten 

inches of annual precipitation, vegetation development and species diversity are 

limited. The topography is characterized by rolling plains with small, ephemeral 

drainages dissecting the area. There are no perennial water sources within the 

Permit Area (Section 3.5). Crooked Well Reservoir, a stock pond located in 

Section 16 of Township 25 North, Range 92 West, contains water only seasonally 

(Figure 3.5-4). The Permit Area covers approximately 4,254 acres, which 

includes the 4,194-acre main Permit Area and the East and West Access Roads, 

which extend to the east (26 acres) and west (34 acres). Land ownership of the 

Permit Area is under the jurisdiction of the BLM and the State of Wyoming. 

Wildlife inventories of the Permit Area were conducted in 2006 through 2011. 

The inventories provided baseline data for permitting the ISR Project and ensured 

that wildlife species and habitats would be afforded adequate protection during 

Construction, Operation, and Reclamation. At the request of the BLM, additional 

baseline studies for the spadefoot toad and Wyoming pocket gopher were 

performed in 2010. Additionally, the Greater sage-grouse monitoring area was 

expanded in 2010 to more accurately address the SGIT stipulations (Mead, 2011 

and Wyoming Interagency, 2011). Detailed results of the 2010 and 2011 wildlife 

inventories are included in the Project’s 2010 and 2011 Annual Wildlife 

Monitoring Reports [LWR Consultants, Inc. and Wyoming Wildlife Consultants, 

Inc., 2011 and 2012, respectively (Appendix C)]. 

Data collection for the wildlife surveys included file searches of state and federal 

agency documents. Wildlife studies focused on threatened and endangered 

(T&E) species, Migratory Birds of High Federal Interest (MBHFI), raptors, 

Greater sage-grouse leks and nesting habitat, breeding birds, Pygmy rabbits, big 

game, Wyoming pocket gopher, and spadefoot toad as well as a general wildlife 

inventory of the Permit Area. 

In order to identify the off-site habitat and individuals that could be affected by 

Project activities, a two-mile perimeter around the Permit Area was included for 

Greater sage-grouse and big game, and a one-mile perimeter around the Permit

Area was included for raptors. In 2010, the area surveyed for Greater sage-grouse 

was expanded even further. 

3.8.1 Habitat Description and Wildlife Species 

The vegetation in the Permit Area is described in detail in Section 3.7. The 

wildlife habitat in the Permit Area is predominantly Upland and Lowland Big 

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Sagebrush Shrublands (Figure 3.7-1). Other wildlife habitats include cushion 

plant communities, small isolated patches of grassland, and disturbed lands. 

The Upland Big Sagebrush Shrubland wildlife habitat dominates the Permit Area 

and is generally found on flat and rolling hills. This habitat is important for 

pronghorn, mule deer, Greater sage-grouse, white-tailed prairie dogs, and reptiles. 

Raptors often hunt in Big Sagebrush Shrubland habitat, and Greater sage-grouse 

leks are typically located on ridge tops or other open areas. 

The Lowland Big Sagebrush Shrubland wildlife habitat is found along drainages 

and swales. This habitat type has significantly more vegetation cover than the 

Upland Big Sagebrush Shrubland. The Lowland Big Sagebrush Shrubland 

wildlife habitat also provides important cover for resident and migratory birds, 

reptiles, and small mammals. The taller big sagebrush provides potential nesting 

sites for raptors and critical forage for ungulates and Greater sage-grouse during 

winters with extreme snowfall. 

A list of wildlife species that potentially occur in the Permit Area is provided in 

Table 3.8-1. A total of 224 wildlife species potentially occur in the Permit Area. 

Of these, 164 species are birds, 51 species are mammals, four species are 

amphibians, and five species are reptiles. Species with known occurrence in or 

around the Permit Area are also indicated in the table. 

3.8.2 Methods 

3.8.2.1 File and Data Searches 

Locations of raptor nest sites, Greater sage-grouse leks, prairie dog towns, big 

game ranges, and T&E species were obtained by request from GIS data from the 

BLM, WGFD, and the University of Wyoming. WGFD publications and the 

computerized WGFD Wildlife Observation System (WOS) of the Permit Area 

were reviewed (WGFD, 2008a) and are presented in Attachment D9-1 of the 

WDEQ-LQD Permit to Mine (LCI, 2011b). 

A copy of the Sweetwater Uranium Facility Environmental Report (Shepherd 

Miller, Inc., 1994) that covered a study area southwest of the Permit Area was 

also reviewed. The Shepherd Miller study was used as an initial survey reference 

for the area for T&E plant and animal species, big game ranges, Greater sagegrouse leks, and raptor nest sites. 

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