2018-06-28_PERMIT FILE - M2018028

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Exhibit B—Site Description The mining claim is located on BLM property on the banks of the Arkansas River East of the private property of a local rafting company.The closest permanent man made structures belong to the Rafting Company(Kissack Investments, LLC.), and these structures are all located more than 200 feet from the mining area. Concerning description of soils,vegetation,water,and wildlife please reference the attached excerpts taken from the "Environmental Assessment El Rancho Bondo Mining Plan of Operations Modification" dated March 2015 (completed by the Bureau of Land Management).The complete Environmental Assessment will also be attached to this application in Exhibit F. 3.2.3 SOILS (includes a 5ndhie on standard_1) Affwted Environment: The proposed project area lies on a largely upland bench adjacent to the Arkansas River. Due to the small nature of the bench, the exact soil type has not been.mapped. Based on the current digging at the site,the soil appears to be relatively well developed with a well-defined A horizon that is approximately 4 inches deep and consists of a fine sandy loam. This is followed by a B horizon that is a well-developed sandy silt that is approximately S inches deep. These two layers are likely to be alluvium and/or eolian deposits. Below these upper soil layers is a deep alluvial deposit of poorly sorted cobbles,gravels and sands that is the target of the existing operation,as well as the proposed modification. The Proposed Action calls for separating and stockpiling topsoil until it is used for reclamation. Ultimately,the proponent is responsible for successful reclamation of the site showing that soil productivity is comparable to the pre-mining condition. A successful reclaimed site will be comparable to the pre-disturbed site as long as ecological processes are functioning within a normal range of variability and the native plant community meets the expected functional/structural groups and composition. These soils are well drained and generally dry with the water table being approximately at river level. Due to the sandy nature of the soil,it is highly susceptible to both wind and water erosion. 3-2-4 WATER(SURFACE AND GROUNDWATER.FLOODp'LATNSZ(Jiricludes a finding on standard 5) Affected> nvironment: The Proposed Action takes place on a bench directly adjacent to the Arkansas River. The lower toe of the project area is likely near the flood stake level of the river;however,floodplain mapping of the site is at a course scale and the exact flood level is difficult to determine. It is possible that the 100 year flood level is within the proposed area; however,due to the topography of the site it doesn't exhibit floodplain characteristics. Historic and present mining has cast material down on a frequently inundated lower bench and high flow has transported material from the site. Water quality in the Arkansas River at this location is good and is not identified as being impaired by the State of Colorado. Historically,the water quality in the river has been heavily impacted by heavy metals due to historic mining in the headwaters areas,mainly around Leadville. Over the last 30 years tremendous improvements have been made to improve the water quality throughout the watershed. Groundwater with the proposal is associated with the alluvial aquifer along the river. At this site,this aquifer is very narrow and is very closely hydrologically connected to the river. Essentially, near groundwater and surface water are identical in this location.