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Summary <br /> The Review Process <br /> The permittee has proposed to relocate four(4) acres of prime farmland reclamation area, located <br /> in Section 36, at and adjacent to Pond 013. These four acres of prime farmland would be <br /> relocated to the west side of the currently reclaimed irrigated pastures areas on Elk Ridge Mining <br /> and Reclamation, LLC owned properties, also in Section 36. It is proposed that relocation of the <br /> prime farmland provides the best opportunity for revegetation success for several reasons. <br /> First, constructing the prime farmland reclamation directly adjacent to 26 acres of irrigated <br /> pastures it allows Elk Ridge Mining and Reclamation, LLC to make one large field rather than <br /> one small, isolated field. Second, irrigation infrastructure is currently in place and will easily be <br /> able to provide the proper amount of irrigation water for this proposed prime farmland area. <br /> Lastly, the logistics of cutting and fertilizing one large field rather than one small, isolated field <br /> at a distance from the larger irrigated pasture area is much more feasible by having the prime <br /> farmland tied directly to existing irrigated pasture areas <br /> Description of the Environment <br /> A. General and Affected Area <br /> The New Horizon Mine permit encompasses approximately 304.85 acres. The topography is <br /> gently sloping with a few small ridges and swales. Most of the land surrounding the permit area <br /> is agricultural and is used for irrigated and non-irrigated farmland that generally produces alfalfa <br /> or pasture grasses. <br /> The mine is located within the southeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau. The region is <br /> characterized by broad and fairly smooth surfaced plateaus and mesas with gently dipping slopes <br /> which are dissected by steep canyons. Surface elevations at the New Horizon Mine area range <br /> from a high of 5,795 feet (MSL) in the northeast part to a low of 5,555 feet in the northwest part <br /> along Tuttle Draw for a total relief of about 240 feet. <br /> B. Geology and Topography <br /> The New Horizon Mine is located near the axis of the Nucla Syncline (San Miguel Syncline), a <br /> shallow, broad synclinal fold running northwesterly for a length of 65 miles. No evidence of <br /> faulting was observed in drill holes at New Horizon Mine 2 area. The Nucla Syncline is 10 to 15 <br /> miles southwest of the major regional geologic feature of the area, the Uncompahgre uplift. The <br /> region lies in the Dolores River basin. The mine is located between two and three miles northeast <br /> of the San Miguel River. Gently rolling terrain traverses the area and the mine occupies a <br /> predominantly southwestern exposure. <br /> The mine is located in the Nucla-Naturita coal field. The coal is found in late Cretaceous <br /> 3 <br />