2025-07-08_REVISION - M1983175 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.4.8 Exhibit H Wildlife Information The property will be used for rangeland. Colorado Parks and Wildlife was contacted for comment during the permit application process. The operator is still awaiting the response and will send it to DRMS upon its arrival Forage and cover for wildlife is very limited due to the arid climate. Small animals, including rabbits, foxes,etc. are found in the surrounding environment. The site is within range for white tail deer, antelope, prairie dog, various snakes, various lizards, and ring-necked pheasant. Impacts to wildlife will be mitigated through a weed management plan and reseeding all mined areas with a diverse and native rangeland seed mix. 6.4.9 Exhibit I Soils Information A Custom Soil Resource Report for Alamosa County, specific to this site, is attached for review. A majority of the site is composed of Alamosa Loam/Alamosa Loam, saline. This material is poorly drained with very high runoff. These soils are used for farmland if irrigated and reclaimed of excess salts/sodiums. Topsoil is found at a depth of 6 inches onsite, with overburden accounting for approximately 6 inches onsite. Mineable aggregate is found up to a depth of approximately 10 feet. 6.4.10 Exhibit J Vegetation Information The Alamosa Pit No. 2 (Swift Pit) is characterized by rangeland. Native vegetation is alkali sacaton, blue grama, saltgrass, western wheatgrass, sage, rabbitbush and greasewood. Onsite conditions show that vegetation varies dependent on precipitation. Vegetation onsite can range from 20%coverage to 30% coverage with 100% being grasses and forbs. With the arid climate and the above soil types, vegetation tends to be sparce and dependent on years with abundant moisture. The environment doesn't normally sustain any tall or low shrubs well. The carrying capacity of a site such as this is 25 acres per one head of cattle.