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the La Plata River, and their confluence is located about six miles downstream (southwest) from <br />the permit area. <br />Runoff from most of the undisturbed upper parts of drainages in King I and King II is diverted <br />around the disturbed areas through ditches and culverts. With the exception of runoff from main <br />haul roads, runoff from disturbed areas is passed through sediment control ponds which <br />discharge into Hay Gulch. <br />An ephemeral stream channel likely existed in the bench area of the King I Mine prior to initial <br />disturbance of the site. Runoff from larger events would occur as channel flow, while smaller <br />events would primarily recharge the alluvium from side -slope areas. With reclamation of the <br />site, a channel will be reconstructed through the facilities area. A review of the channel design <br />indicates it meets the requirements of Rule 4.05.3. Channels disturbed at the King II Mine will <br />also be regraded to approximate original contour to meet the requirements of Rule 4.05.3. <br />The King I workings extended southward beneath the Pine Gulch ephemeral drainage and other <br />small drainages. Pine Gulch flows into Hay Gulch approximately two miles downstream from <br />the permit area. Northwest of the King II Mine (above the workings of the OSMRE permit) lies <br />East Alkali Gulch, an ephemeral stream. East Alkali flows to the southwest and south, <br />ultimately joining Hay Gulch approximately seven miles downstream of the permit area. <br />The Huntington Irrigation Ditch, the Huntington Irrigation Pipeline, and the Huntington Pond <br />overlay worked -out areas of the King I mine in various locations. All three features are owned <br />by Huntington Ranches and are located on Huntington Ranch property. <br />Additional information on surface water hydrology can be found in the permit application in <br />Sections 2.04.7, 2.05.3 and 2.05.6 and on Maps King I-007, King I -007a, and the King II — 007 <br />series of maps. <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 to 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 shallow <br />soils associated with rock outcrops dominate the side slopes. Two soil orders (Entisolls and <br />Aridisols) and one rock outcrop complex occur on the site. Both of the soil orders have an ustic <br />moisture regime. As a result of the King I Mine's having been opened prior to there being any <br />regulatory requirement to salvage topsoil, there is no topsoil available for reclamation of the <br />King I surface facilities. "Plant growth medium" is salvaged from the sideslopes of the valley - <br />fill Refuse Pile as successive preparations are made for increases to the pile's height. The <br />material is then stockpiled for future use in reclamation of the site. The results of soil analyses <br />are provided in Appendix 6 of the PAP. <br />Vegetation (4.10) <br />N. <br />