Laserfiche WebLink
Lorencito Canyon Mine (C-1996-084) <br />MT- 04 <br />Surface water is characterized as a calcium/sodium bicarbonate water, neutral to slightly alkaline, <br />with low hardness. pH ranges from 6.15 to 8.8 and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) ranges from 50-650 <br />mg/l. <br />Groundwater occurrence in the region can best be described as limited. Consolidated bedrock <br />aquifers generally have a low hydraulic conductivity and a low storativity, rendering bedrock aquifers <br />unusable for sources of economic water. Alluvial groundwater is present in the major alluvial valleys <br />of the region and is used for domestic purposes associated with ranching activities. <br />Groundwater quality is variable, but can generally be described as fair quality. Alluvial water is <br />suitable for most uses where TDS levels are not elevated. Bedrock water quality is fair from shallow <br />aquifers, but degrades with depth and would not generally be suitable for domestic use. <br />In the past, based on projected water needs for the operation, NECC planned to rely on the water <br />rights decreed to four irrigation ditches that have historically irrigated portions of the Lorencito tract. <br />Vegetation and Wildlife <br />Vegetation in the permit area is dominated by an oak brush/pinion community. Most of the land in <br />the permit area, with the exception of the canyon bottoms and a few small grassland meadows, <br />would be rated poor for suitability as rangeland. <br />Numerous wildlife species occur through the permit and adjacent area. The permit area is important <br />year-round habitat for elk, deer, bear and turkeys. A variety of small mammals and reptiles are also <br />found in the permit area. Fish are generally limited to perennial sections of streams, and game fish <br />are entirely limited to the Purgatoire River. Raptors utilize the permit and adjacent area and 39 <br />species of other birds were noted during bird surveys. <br />Description of the Operation and Reclamation Plan <br />Prior to other operational disturbances, topsoil was removed from the site with two exceptions: areas <br />where steep slopes preclude this activity, and areas where there were negligible amounts of topsoil. <br />In the mine area the typical depth was 1.6 feet. At the loadout the typical depth was 4 feet. <br />Sediment control structures were constructed in advance of the disturbance in each small, ephemeral <br />watershed. Ponds 5, 6A, 7A, 8, 9, and 9A were constructed and still exist at the time of MT -04. Pond <br />10A was released under Surety Release No. 2 (SL -02) as part of the coal loadout. <br />Haul roads originally constructed include the Lorencito Canyon haul road and the Jeff Canyon haul road. <br />A raw coal loadout was approved at the mouth of Lorencito Canyon. The office area was located at the <br />Page 7 of 10 <br />