This chapter describes the physical, biological, cultural, and socioeconomic resources of the WTCA that could be affected by the no-action alternative (alternative A) and the proposed action (alternative B). The WTCA consists of 43,200 acres within the Laramie Plains of southeastern Wyoming, which is part of the Wyoming Basin ecoregion (Bailey 1995) and the Great Northern LCC (USFWS 2012a).
| Physical Environment |
Below are descriptions of the climate and land features of the project area.
Climate
The Laramie Plains is a high, cold desert basin located at approximately 8,000 feet elevation between two mountain ranges, the Snowy Range and the Laramie Range. The average annual precipitation is 11 inches, most of which falls as snow in winter. Temperature extremes range from a record high of 97 °F in summer to a record low of −43 °F in winter (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002). The area is known for persistent windy conditions and a short growing season that typically occurs between late May and early September.
