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King Coal Mine (C- 1981 -035) <br />MT -07 <br />Information on surface water hydrology can be found in the permit application in Sections <br />2.04.7, 2.05.3 and 2.05.6 and on Maps King 1 -007a, King 1 -008, and King II — 007. <br />Climate (4.08) <br />The climate is semi -arid, characterized by hot summers, cold winters, and a limited amount of <br />precipitation each year. The prevailing winds are from the southwest and west with an average <br />annual precipitation rate varying from 15 -19 inches. The growing season in the area varies <br />depending on elevation and exposure with a maximum of 96 frost -free days. <br />Soils (4.09) <br />Soil properties in the permit area vary widely depending on slope, aspect, and topographic <br />position. Deeper soils are found in the valley bottoms and on the tops of plateaus, while <br />shallow soils associated with rock outcrops dominate the side slopes. Two soil orders (Entisolls <br />and Aridisols) and one rock outcrop complex occur on the site. Both of the soil orders have a <br />ustic moisture regime. As a result of the King I Mine's having been opened prior to there being <br />any regulatory requirement to salvage topsoil, there is no soil available for reclamation of the <br />King I surface facilities. "Plant growth medium" is salvaged from the sideslopes of the valley -fill <br />Refuse Pile as successive preparations are made for increases to the pile's height. The material <br />is then stockpiled for future use in reclamation of the site. The results of soil analyses are <br />provided in Appendix 6 of the permit application. <br />Vegetation (4.10) <br />The dominant vegetation in the King I and II Mine area is a mountain shrub community. Gambel <br />Oak is the most prominent shrub along the side slopes, forming dense stands. On the plateau top <br />above the King I Mine, the oak grows in clumps with open stands of grasses interspersed. A <br />juniper pinon community is found on the more xeric southern slopes, with scattered individuals of <br />Douglas Fir and Ponderosa Pine encountered on more mesic northern slopes. A pinon juniper <br />woodland community predominates in the King II Mine area, extending from the edge of the flat <br />colluvial bottoms up the side slopes of the dissected drainage basins. A rabbitbrush / big sage <br />mixed shrubland community is also located in the King II Mine area on the relatively flat colluvial <br />bottom that is present between the drainage basin side slopes. The valley bottom of Hay Gulch is <br />occupied by introduced pasture. <br />Fish and Wildlife (4.11) <br />A variety of wildlife species utilize the permit area and surrounding areas. Colorado Parks and <br />Wildlife has identified the general area of the mine site as critical deer winter range. Wildlife <br />use is expected to increase upon completion of successful reclamation. <br />No candidate or federally listed plant or animal species were identified within or adjacent to <br />the permit area. <br />Page 7 of 16 <br />