outcompetes many native species by increasing the salinity of the soil 

 (Sauer 1988). This plant has become common in the Pr\or 

 Mountain Desert region and may be able to displace native plants 

 including E. la gopus . However, at the present time there is no 

 evidence that this is happening. Furthermore, E. lagopus is ver)' 

 common and only a monumental increase in H. glomeratus could 

 threaten its persistence. 



2. MINING AND OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT: Bentonite claims 

 have been made on public lands east of Warren. Although E^ 

 lagopus does not generally occur on bentonite. it does occur in close 

 proximity. Strip mining and associated road-building could damage 

 nearby populations of E. lagopus . 



Oil and gas development has occurred in Wyoming four miles south 

 of Warren. Future developments could threaten populations of F. 

 lagopus . 



Bentonite mining and oil and gas development are localized in the 

 Pryor Mountain Desert area, while p<ipulations of Friogonum 

 lagopus are widespread. It is unlikely that future developments 

 could endanger a significant portion of these populations. 



3. OFF-ROAD VEHICLES: At the present time there is relatively 

 little off-road vehicle use in the Pryor Mountain Desert area. 

 However, the topography and sparseness of the \egetaiion is 

 appropriate for this sort of recreation. If off-road vehicle use 

 increases substantially, it could damage some populations of E. 

 lagopus . Since E. la gopus is so common in the area, damage would 

 have to be very extensive before a significant proportion of the 

 populations would be threatened. 



4. LIVESTOCK GRAZING: Most of the Pryor Mountain Desert area 

 is subject to cattle grazing. Our observations suggest that most of 

 the area is far from water developments and grazing pressure is liglii 

 enough that marginally palatable forbs like Eri()g(Munn lagopus are 

 not used to any great extent. Only populations near water 

 developments are threatened by livestock grazing. 



B. MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND RESPONSE: We are not aware of 

 any information on the response of E, lagopus or any other perennial 

 Eriotionum s to livestock grazing. It is likely to be less palatable than 

 perennial grasses and would probably increase under moderate grazing 



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