2014-11-21_PERMIT FILE - C1996084 (23)

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Permits Land Use Capabilities and Productivity Land within the permit azea has the capability to include several types of land uses. In general, [he lands close to the Purgatoire River are used forproduction ofhay and small grains; however, productivity is limited by the elevation and short growing season. Moderately sloping land adjacent to the river has potential for pastureland and occasional hay production. The Colorado Department of Agriculture estimates that in 1995, alfalfa hay production on irrigated lands in Las Animas County averaged 3.45 tons per acre. Production of hay within the permit boundary is estimated to be one ton per acre per cutting (personal communication, Sid Bayes, Lorencito Ranch Manager, April, 1997). Steep mountainous slopes south of the river have been and are currently used for rangeland. Steeper slopes have limited rangeland or forest land productivity, and are best suited for wildlife habitat. The suitability of lands along streams and on grasslands in the northern portion ofthe permit azea are good for use as rangelands. The annual productivity ofthis land ranges fiom 1,300 to 1,400 pounds peracre ofair- dryvegetation. Landsinthesouthhalfofthepermitazea,dominatedbyconiferousforest,haveapoor suitabi lity rating for rangeland. In addition, minor amounts of forestry products could be harvested as saw lots or mine props for local use. Approximately 40 cubic foot of wood fiber per acre per year could be harvested. Additional iand use potential includes residential, industrial, commercial, and recreation~d uses. Residential areas neaz the permit area consist of subdivisions of 35 or greater acre ranchettes which have been developed north of Highway 12 and the pemut azea. Services, such as electrical, drinking water, sewage disposal facilities, and lot size, limit the amount ofpeople who could potentially move into this area. The suitabi]ityofmostsoilsinthepermitareaispoorfortheconstructionofbuildings. Thereiscurrentlyno residential or commercial construction occurring or proposed within the permit area. Historical Mining No previous mining has occurred within the permit azea. Historical mining has occurred in the vicinity of the project azea.. The Quinto Mine is an abandoned operation located west of the permit area about 0.12 miles south ofthe South Fork Purgatoire River, in the southeast-quarterofsection 35, T33S R67W. A search of historical records at the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology dicl not identify any information on the Quinto mining operation. During the period from 1906 to 1908, the Quinto Mine produced coal neaz the northwest corner ofthe property. Reportedly, the mine in the L seam had a height of five feet and produced a total 169,903 tons. No effectsofsubsidencewereobservedwithrespecttothissmallmine. The Frederick;~line,locatedeast ofthe permit area in Widow Woman Canyon had extensive workings in a coal seam :500' - 500' below the Primero in the 1920s. There is little evidence of subsidence at this site today either. ~,~„~„aPm,.Pmmp~s~l„iy,~i W~ 2.04-2 i revised 7/25/01)