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Precipitation averages 18 inches annually on the property and runoff is limited. Flows in the <br /> drainages are mainly in response to snow melt or intense thunderstorm events. <br /> Water sampled from the drainages is quite hard, dominated by calcium and magnesium cations <br /> and bicarbonate and sulfate anions. The relatively high alkalinity and pH of the system impedes <br /> the solubility and transport of heavy cations, thus minimizing potential toxicity problems <br /> associated with heavy metals or acid drainage. <br /> Springs and seeps are abundant in the area, with 59 originally identified during an inventory <br /> completed in 1985. A more recent inventory and study resulted in additional springs and seeps <br /> in the South Taylor and Lower Wilson areas. Four springs were found to be perennial, two <br /> tributary to Wilson Creek and two tributary to Good Spring Creek. The locations of all <br /> monitored springs and seeps are shown on Maps l0A and lOB of the PAP. Spring and seep <br /> information is included in Tables 2.05.6-1 and 2 in the PAP. <br /> No alluvial valley floors (AVFs) exist within the area to be mined. However, the alluvial <br /> deposits of Good Spring Creek, Wilson Creek, and lower Elkhorn Creek meet the geomorphic <br /> and irrigation criteria of an AVF and are discussed in the Findings portion of this document <br /> (Section B, Item XXII). <br /> The Wilson Reservoir, from which water is drawn for mining activities, is an important fishery <br /> of the area. The Wilson Reservoir was built in 1941 and is under the regulatory jurisdiction of <br /> the Colorado Division of Water Resources. Except for a pumping station, the Wilson Reservoir <br /> is not within the permit area, and is not a part of the Permit. The pumping station at the <br /> reservoir, and the pipeline from the pumping station to the main areas of the Mine, are included <br /> in the Permit. <br /> 4.10 Vegetation <br /> Baseline vegetation information is found in Section 2.04.10 of Volume 1, Map 4 and Exhibit 10 <br /> of the PAP. Vegetation information associated with the Lower Wilson and South Taylor <br /> expansion areas can be found in Section 2.04.10 of Volume 12, Exhibit 10 of Volume 13, and <br /> Maps 3, 4A, and 4B of the PAP. Vegetation information for the Collom area is found in Section <br /> 2.04.10 of Volume 15 and Map 4C of the PAP. Six vegetation communities and a small amount <br /> of cropland exist within the Mine permit boundary. The major communities are sagebrush and <br /> mountain shrub. Communities of lesser extent include a juniper community in the vicinity of <br /> Streeter Mountain; aspen groves in the upper reaches of Streeter, Taylor and Wilson Creeks; a <br /> limited riparian community along Good Spring, West Fork Good Spring, Wilson, and Taylor <br /> Creeks; and a small western wheatgrass community in the southern portion of the permit area. <br /> The sagebrush community occurs throughout the permit area on all elevations, slopes and soils. <br /> The community has developed wherever soil moisture retention and soil depth have become <br /> limiting to other vegetation communities. Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and snowberry <br /> Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance January 5,2023 <br /> Permit Renewal No. 8 Page 120 <br />