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The Glasier property has a blend of land uses: irrigated pasture in the northwest, dryland pasture <br />(where older irrigation structures have not been recently used and are in disrepair) in the center, <br />and grazingland-sagebrush in the west. The "Glasier Draw" drainage, identified as grazingland- <br />subirrigated, crosses the northwest corner of the property, and will not be disturbed by mining <br />operations. <br />Cultural and Historic Resources — Section 2.04.4 of the permit <br />In a letter dated May 9, 2016, the Colorado Historical Society made a finding of `no historic <br />properties affected' for the activities associated with PR -1. <br />Geology and Topography — Sections 2.04.5 and 2.04.6 of the permit <br />The NHN Mine is located three miles northwest of the town of Nucla, in Western Montrose <br />County, Colorado. The mine area lies within the southeastern section of the Colorado Plateau <br />Physiographic Province. The region is characterized by broad, fairly smooth surfaced sandstone <br />plateaus and mesas, with gently dipping slopes dissected by deep canyons. Elevations at the site <br />range from 5,790 feet (MSL) in the northeast corner of the permit area to 5,540feet (MSL) at the <br />southern end of the equipment corridor, for a total topographic relief of 250 feet. Permit Map <br />2.04.5-1 illustrates the topography and geology of the area surrounding the area to be mined. <br />Structurally, the NHN Mine site is located near the axis of the northwest -trending Nucla Syncline. <br />This syncline is a shallow, broad, structurally simple fold bounded by gently dipping flanks. The <br />syncline rests between the Uncompahgre Uplift to the northeast and the Paradox Valley Anticline <br />to the southwest. Strata within the permit area strike at N 26° W, and dip at approximately 2° <br />westward. WFC milled the Lower Dakota (LDx) Seam, and the upper seam when it is available <br />and of sufficient quality. Overburden thicknesses range from approximately 10 feet near "Meehan <br />Draw" to slightly over 90 feet at the former Nucla Mine highwall that was exposed when mining <br />began. A general columnar geologic section is provided in the permit application with Figure <br />2.04.6-1. <br />Ground Water - Sections 2.04.5 and 2.04.7 of the permit <br />Topography, lithology, and structural trends each play a principal role in controlling the quality, <br />quantity and flow characteristics of the regional ground water regime in the direct vicinity of the <br />NHN Mine area. The geology of this region is complex. Consequently, the ground water system <br />is difficult to interpret. Understanding the effect the NHN Mine may have on the local and regional <br />ground water supplies relies on understanding the regional and local ground water systems. A <br />general discussion of the regional groundwater conditions is provided in the permit document and <br />summarized here. <br />Topography is the principal element governing shallow aquifers (100 feet) in this region. <br />Topographic highs act as recharge areas, and lows along streams serve as discharge areas during <br />periods of high water table. In alluvial and other unconsolidated material, ground water moves <br />E <br />