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The pre-mine site was an abandoned irrigated pasture with 26.2 shares of water rights from the <br /> Uncompahgre Valley Water Users with a headgate on the ditch on the southeast corner of the <br /> property. <br /> The site gently slopes to the north and towards the Uncompahgre River to the east. Vegetation is <br /> sparse, with most cover being grasses. Some trees exist as shown on Map C-1 and some wetland <br /> fringes have developed in low areas around the North Pond, which was mined in the late 1980's <br /> and has been reclaimed. See Map C-2. The soils are generally poor and have a high clay content <br /> with an average approximately 6 inches in thickness. The site has been operated by two mining <br /> companies in the past; Frin Willie originally owned it since it was permitted in 1984, who sold to <br /> S and W Company who sold to Western Gravel in 1999, who still owns the property and is the <br /> permittee. The water table is very close to the ground level so the two excavated pits will remain <br /> as ponds after reclamation. The North Pond has been successfully reclaimed and the South Pond <br /> may still be mined deeper but not extended laterally to increase the water exposure area. <br /> The site will be reclaimed to dry rangeland, lake surface and wetland which will all be <br /> considered wildlife habitat. <br /> As seen on Map C-1, a residence is located north of the property as well as a treed area. To the <br /> east is the Uncompahgre River and the Union Pacific RR track. To the west is the South River <br /> Road and irrigated pasture west of the road. To the south is some additional irrigated pasture and <br /> some vegetated river floodplain. <br /> Wildlife Evaluation <br /> 1) Significant Game Resources on the Affected Lands <br /> Mule deer and elk are probably the most critical game resource in this area. The current <br /> landscape offers ground cover for deer and other small mammals for most of the year. The <br /> northern and southern areas have the majority of the cover for the site, as shown on Map C-2. <br /> The northern portion of the site will remain in the same condition as it is today. <br /> Olathe Pit, 2018 <br />