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Response <br />• Land uses adjacent to the permit azea consist of rangeland/wildlife habitat to the south, east <br />and west of the permit area. Land adjacent to the north boundary of the permit area along <br />the Purgatoire River is used for cropland, irrigated cropland and residences. Residential-use <br />areas are at the town of Weston and the communities of Cordova Plaza, Medina Plaza, <br />Velasquez Plaza, and Sazcillo. A high school near Medina Plaza is included in the <br />residential land use designation. There are no residential areas within the permit area. The <br />Premine Land Use map (Map 2.04-1) has been revised to show these land uses. <br />7.4:3-I <br />30. Irrigated alfalfa hay production was reported as an average for all of Las Animas County <br />based on 1995 growing season. (page 2.04-2) The Division is concerned that pre-mine <br />productivity for irrigated hayland may not reflect the productivity specific to the mine area. <br />Las Animas County has productive agricultural lands east of the Ciry of Trinidad as well as <br />poor productivity hilly lands in the west of the county. Moisture in 1995 was unusually <br />heavy during the eazly portion of the growing season. The Division is concerned that <br />Lorencito Coal Company may be setting the pre-mining irrigated lands productivity higher <br />than was could be obtained at the mine site during an average year. LCC should provide <br />local NRCS, or Agricultural Extension Service data specific to the area that accounts for an <br />average of several years productivity. <br />Response <br />• Local NRCS data for irrigated alfalfa hay production in areas west of Trinidad is limited due <br />to the limited number of pastures in that area. However, average yeazly production from <br />these areas is estimated by the Las Animas NRCS to be 4 tons/acre. This production <br />estimate accounts for two cuttings each season (Personal communication, Lee Neve, NRCS <br />Soil Scientist, 4/2/97). Production of hay within the permit disturbance boundary is <br />estimated to be 1 ton/acre per cutting (Personal communication, Sid Bayes, Lorencito Ranch <br />Manager, 4/97). The lower value is likely due to the fact that while irrigated, this meadow <br />is composed of both native grass species and alfalfa. Text has been added to revised page <br />2.04-2 reflecting the lower production within the permit boundary. <br />Rule 2.04.4 Cultural and Historic Resource Information <br />31. At this time, the inventory report for work completed in 1996 has not been received by the <br />Division. The State Historic Preservation Office is expecting identification of cultural <br />resources in the aeeas so that they may evaluate each site in terms of National Register <br />criteria. Avoidance and/or data recovery may be necessary at eligible or potentially eligible <br />sites. Once SHPO has determined eligibility for all sites in the affected area, the Division <br />may proceed with approval or conditional approval as required under Rule 2.07.6(2)(e). <br />Response <br />• This report has been filed with the CDMG. <br />9 <br />