2018-12-12_REVISION - C2010088 (10)

Home Browse Search

10 where the soils are deep, well drained, highly sodic and highly saline. Most, if not all, of the native perennial plants which grow in this area would be considered to be salt tolerant species. The wetland and riparian vegetation communities exist in large measure due to the irrigation practices on adjacent areas. Soils The soils in the permit area are generally alluvial, derived from sandstone and shale, and are characterized (excluding Reed Wash and land farm areas) as Billings loam to silty clay. Billings is a very deep (40 to 60 inches or more to bedrock), well to moderately-well drained, fine-silty soil. Most of the soil within the permit boundary is unsuitable as a source of topsoil due to high salinity and sodicity values. Land use Land use within the permit and adjacent areas is industrial, agricultural, rangeland, fish and wildlife and a transportation corridor. Immediately north of the site is a main railroad corridor and highway easement. Beyond the transportation corridor to the north and also to the west is agricultural land which is mostly irrigated. To the south are former evaporation ponds and undeveloped areas beyond which lie Interstate Highway 70 and the Colorado River. Adjoining the site to the east is the former Fruita Refinery. The refinery was in operation from 1957 to 1993 during which time it processed gilsonite and produced a variety of petroleum products. Within the permit area east of Reed Wash, most of the land is categorized as industrial. The area immediately surrounding Reed Wash is fish and wildlife habitat. The area to the west of Reed Wash is a combination of rangeland and fish and wildlife habitat. Wildlife Mule deer densities are low in the area. Elk populations do not occur in the area. Other mammals that were documented as being in the area are raccoons, red fox, desert cottontails, and jackrabbits. Signs of river otter (a state threatened species) were found in Reed Wash but the river otter are not likely to be impacted by the loadout activities. Numerous other mammals, birds and reptiles were observed in the area but also would not likely be impacted by the loadout construction or activities. Description of the Operation and Reclamation Plans The items described in this section are approved to be constructed. At the time of this renewal (RN-1) application, CAM has neither constructed nor created any disturbance related to the facilities listed below. No mining underground or surface mining will take place within the permit boundary. The proposed surface disturbances within the permit area associated with the Loadout include an entrance haul road; a truck dump; a truck dump haul road loop; an access road; two light use