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West E!k Mine <br />• 1. SEYa, Section 9, T13S, R90W, on the north side of the North Fork of the Gunnison River <br />(North Fork). This is an area that was used by the Beaz Mine as an access road and for <br />coal-loading activities during operation of Beaz Mines 1 and 2 (now closed). <br />2. SEA/a, Section 9, T13S, R90W, on the south side of the North Fork. This is an area <br />formerly used by the Bear Mine for its Bear Mines 1 and 2 portals, supply and office <br />facilities. <br />SW~/a, Section 9, T13S, R90W, on the north side of the North Fork. This is currently <br />undeveloped site, except for what appeazs to be a small pumphouse. <br />A brief reconnaissance of the areas showed no evidence of historic or current agricultural activity. <br />Mr. Bill Bear, a lifelong resident of this vicinity, confirmed that none of the terraces in question had <br />ever supported any type of agricultural activity. He further stated that the Bear Mine portal and <br />office facilities had been at that location since the mine was first developed in 1935. These facilities <br />have now been removed and the area is now being reclaimed. Coal loading facilities for the Bear <br />Mine were first installed on the north bank of the river, at approximately their present location, in <br />1940. <br />The 40-yeaz coal haulage, general access road and coal-loading land use pattern associated with the <br />small terrace on the north side of the river (SEA/a, Section 9, T13S, R90W), has totally altered the <br />• site with respect to discerning any predevelopmenicharacteristics. <br />These and other high terraces along the North cork have amining/residential land use history <br />dating back to at least 1935. Valley cross sections of the North Fork of the Gunnison River can be <br />found in Exhibit 21. Terrace sites' isolation from modem river terraces and general site and soil <br />characteristicsindicatethat agricultural development prior to its present use is not likely. <br />The only AVF chazacteristic that the sites might have is a flood imgatibility capability. But because <br />of their topographic position, an elaborate network of diversions would be necessary to provide <br />flood irrigation. Thus, if sufficient water rights were available, some form of flood irrigation is <br />possible although not necessarily economically viable. Furthemtore, the immatwe soils would not <br />be adequate to support general agronomic activities, and development would probably be limited to <br />improved pasture. <br />• <br />2.OCr7 <br />