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• GEOLOGIC HAZARDS IN THE HOTCHKISS-PAONIA RESERVOIR AREA <br />GUNNISON AND DELTA COUNTIES, COLORADO <br />GENERAL <br />The valley area along the North Fork Gunnison River from <br />Hotchkiss to Paonia Reservoir is likely to experience in the near <br />future a rapid population growth caused by increased coal mining. <br />To aid planning for this anticipated growth, geologic conditions <br />in the area were studied and mapped in accordance with House Bill <br />1041 (C.R.S. 1973, 24-65.1-101, st. seq.) to determine areas of <br />geologic hazard that could cause an economic loss or affect the <br />safety of the citizens of Colorado. The mapped units used in <br />this study conform to the terms and definitions given in Colorado <br />House Bill 1041, and in the Colorado Geological Survey's <br />19741• As defined in House Bill 1041, a geologic hazard means "a <br />geologic phenomenon which is so adverse to past, current, or <br />forseeable construction or land use as to constitute a <br />significant hazard to public health and safety or to property." <br />These geologic hazards, which are normal dynamic processes, may <br />be intensified or lessened by human activity. Regardless of the <br />intensity, the hazards should be recognized and considered prior <br />to any land-use changes. <br />SUGGESTIONS TO MAP USERS <br />Potentially hazardous geologic conditions are mapped at 1:24,000 <br />in six contiguous 7~-minute quadrangles, including Hotchkiss, <br />Gray Reservoir, Bowie, Paonia, Somerset, and Paonia Reservoir. <br />Geologic-hazard maps prepared for the quadrangles indicate the <br />general location of potentially hazardous conditions accompanying <br />Explanation of Map Units and the Geologic Hazards Assessment for_ <br />Common Land Uses should be consulted. The Explanation of Map <br />Units is a description of the process that affects a certain area <br />and the Geolooic Hazards Assessment for Common Land Uses is an <br />estimation of the degree of hazard for a specific land use and <br />description of conditions affecting the hazard. The degree of <br />hazard will vary depending on the particular land use. For <br />example, landslides may be a serious constraint to high-density <br />residential development whereas recreational areas may be only <br />slightly affected. The map and accompanying descriptions and <br />explanations are not intended as a detailed analysis of a <br />particular site or land use. Additionally, this analysis should <br />not supplant detailed field investigations of specific areas. We <br />recommend that the map serve as a basis for further, detailed <br />investigations of particular sites such that the safety and <br />economic viability of a specific project can be adequately <br />evaluated. With more detailed study, specific sites within a <br />general hazard area may be found to be suitable for a certain <br />• land use or the degree of the mapped hazard may increase or <br />decrease. Whether increased or decreased, mitigation measures <br />may be devised that lessen or eliminate the geologic hazard. <br />P6PUS JIPPLICASION EXH-12 - 1 - <br />