PERMFILE57504 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Rule 2.04 • ,~OIlS A Soil Survey map of the rrune area was obtained from the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) office in Craig, Colorado and used to guide apre-mine Order 2 Soil Survey of the entire permit area. Two separate soil survey/inventories of the mine area were conducted; by VTN Colorado, Inc. and by Yampa Mining Company. Portions of the soil classification and mapping were also completed by the Craig SCS office. Soils within the permit area are members of the mollisol soil order. Mollisols aze usually associated with cool, dry climates and are generally characterized by a very dark colored, loamy, base-rich surface layer. The following soil series located on the mine permit area are included in the mollisol soil order. i i Classification Routt Loam Cryic Paleboroll; fine, moncmorillonitic Skylick Loam Pachic Paleboroll; fine-loamy, mixed, cryic Lymanson Argic Cyoboroll; fine-loamy, mixed Splitro Lithic Cryoboroll; loamy, mixed Winevada Pachic Cryoboroll; fine-loamy, mixed All of the above mollisols belong to the suborder borolls, which are characteristic of cool to cold • regions with continental climates. They occur extensively throughout the northern Great Plains of North Amenca and are moderately extensive m the high mountains of the western states. The soil survey map was used to develop topsoil stripping and salvage schedules described in Section 2.05.3 (Operating Plan) of this document. The dominant soil series within the mine area was the Routt Loam which is chemically and physically superior to the other soils found in the mine permit azea. Abundant quantities of this high quality soil were available for salvage and mine reclamation purposes. For further information on soil properties, refer to Section 2.04.9, (Soil Resource InformationJ, Volume I of the original permit application. W' lif The diversity of plant communities occurring on and near the Hayden Gulch mine site created a mosaic of wildlife habitats capable of supporting a variety of animal species. Small mammal and bird populations of the mine area were inventoried in the fall and early winter of 1976 by quantitative field census techniques, scat and track analysis, and by direct observation. Large animal, including big game species, utilization of the mine area was determined from comprehensive literature reviews, extensive discussions with Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) personnel, and consultation with other knowledgeable individuals and consulting companies familiar with the project area. • No threatened or endangered species were found within the study area, which included the entire tntne permit area and adjacent areas. The study area is heavily used by elk during winter but it is not considered to be critical winter range. No critical habitat areas or calving grounds were found within the study area. Mule deer are also abundant in the Williams'Fork Mountains and are known to utilize the area primarily in summer months. Other game species found within the 7R-63 9/y/96 ti .~,.,«.~ 2.042 11~26~y6 Sof;MrTfHC~