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AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT <br />The description of the affected environment within its resource setting is <br />contained the following documents: <br />Colorado MLRD's decision and findings of compliance. <br />BLF1. 1979. West Central Colorado Coal Environmental Statement. <br />OSMRE. July 1981. Mt. Gunnison No. 1 Mining Plan Approval Environmental <br />Assessment. <br />OSMRE. August 1985. Mt. Gunnison No. 1 Hieing Plan Modification <br />Environmental Assessment. <br />OSMRE. September 1985. Mt. Gunnison Mine Mining Plan Modification <br />Environmental Assessment. <br />These documents are being incorporated by reference into this analysis. The <br />description of the affected environment is summarized below. <br />The Mt. Gunnison No. 1 life of mine area contains about 14,000 acres. The <br />mine is located approximately 10 miles east of Paonia, Colorado. The mine <br />portal facilities are located south of the North Fork of the Gunnison River at <br />an elevation of 6,450 feet. The general area is characterized by steeply <br />sloping mountains with elevations ranging from about 6,000 feet at Somerset to <br />12,719 feet at Mt. Gunnison. Slopes range from flat to 60 percent on the <br />permit area. The climate of the area is typical of the Rocky Mountain area. <br />The valley containing the towns of Somerset and Paonia is semi-arid with <br />annual precipitation of about 15 inches. Mean annual precipitation increases <br />with elevation to approximately 40 inches on the Mt. Gunnison summit. The May <br />to September precipitation is approximately 5 inches in the lowlands and 13 <br />inches at the mountain peaks. Snowfall averages 58 inches annually at Paonia, <br />and plays an important part in determining the hydrology of the area. <br />Temperatures at Paonia have ranged from -28 degrees F in January to 100 <br />degrees F in July and August. The average annual temperature is approximately <br />40 degrees F. The existing ambient air quality is good. Visibility is <br />estimated to be 54 miles. <br />Soils in the area include the Absarokee, Beenom, Work and Fughes. The soils <br />are well drained generally formed from weathering of sandstone and interbedded <br />shale materials, alluvial, and landslide materials. <br />Vegetation of the area is primarily tall shrubs predominantly oakbrush and <br />serviceberry. The area is currently used for livestock grazing and wildlife <br />habitat. Recreational activities such as big game hunting also occur here. <br />The area is drained by the North Fork of the Gunnison River to the north of <br />the mine. The eastern and western portions of the permit area are closely <br />bounded by Sylvester Gulch and Gribble Gulch respectively. The southern <br />boundary of the permit area is along the drainage divide approximately one <br />mile to one quarter mile north of the Dry Fork of Minnesota Creek. <br />-3- <br />