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OWL CANYON CULTURAL RF,SOURCE/ENI?RONMFXfAL RECONNAISSANCE Geological Setting The geological setting of the proposed mining area is dominate8 by a canyon tributary of Peck Creek which was formed, and or deepened, by an un-recorded transverse fault (NNE Strike; 90° Dip) between the recorded Rock and Red Creek fault zones. Much slick-n-slide metamorphosed contacu are visible on the north rim (up-thrown block). A dark reddish brown patina of Magnesium Oxide covers most vertical surfaces where contact metamorphism is not present. The predominate country rock is composed of the South Platte Member (Lower Cretaceous) of the Dakota Sandstone Group and is characterized as being ayellowish-brown cross bedded fine-grained sandstone -33 meters thick underlain by clay, claystone, end grayish lenticular channel sandstones. Interference ripple marks are visible in many locations and is typical of this formation in other foothills settings. Evidence of the great influence this scientifically un-recorded transverse fault had on the formation of this part of the canyon can be seen in the lack ofmid-winter up-stream 8c down-stream surface water flows and the lack of vertical canyon walls, whereas, in mid~anyon vertical hard rock exposures (- ]0 meter;), large deep pools, and flowing water are the norm. A stream flow of -2 CFM was observed during field work on this date and reported by the land-owners as being normal mid- canyon water flow during the winter months (see Photo # 1). In the effected area the transverse fault has formed a canyon deep enough to pool water from the surrounding water table; providing for a year-round water source. Due to the near vertical walls of this canyon aerial photography corrected USGS Quad maps do not represent the topographic relief very well in this part of the effected area (see photo # 1). This photograph, our staffs field observations, and a close look at the USGS Quadrangle map showing the location of the proposed mining area clearly illustrates this mapping discrepancy. SOUS The soils in area A (see attachment # 1) are predominately composed of a thin (within 15 meters of the effected canyon rim) to thick (Five, or more, meters near the junction of Red Creek 8c Siloam Roads) layer of Nunn Series clay loam. This colluvial deposited soil forms on upland areas (0-9% slopes) in Western Pueblo County and is composed of the