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quality determination for the entire permit area, the indication <br />• is that the coal from the Lower Englevtlle bench will be <br />unacceptable to the market. <br />A coal occurrence encountered in hole 29-4, between the <br />Englevtlle Seam and the overlying Sopris Seam, may be a locally <br />developed seam or an Isolated tree trunk. Consequently, !t Ls <br />not shown on the Composite Lithology Log, Exhibit 0. <br />The Sopris Seam, which has been a:tensively mined to the west, Ss <br />thin in the immediate area. Its geologic Importance !n the <br />permit area is as a marker bed to define the contact between the <br />Vermejo Formation and the overlying Raton Formation. Unless <br />thicker pockets are located, the coal will be spoiled. <br />Raton Formation <br />The Raton Formation overlies the Vermejo Formation. The Sopris <br />Seam, the uppermost seam of the Vermejo Formation, Ls generally <br />regarded as the formational contact. The Raton Formation Is <br />often discussed in respect to an upper and lower non-coal bearing <br />zone and a middle coal bearing zone (USGS Bull. 1051). This <br />approach is appropriate to the permit area, in that, no coals <br />were found In the lower portions of the formation during the <br />spring and seep survey excursions. Sandstone was pervasive In <br />the lower zone of the Raton Formation. Surface mining will <br />disturb the extreme lower portion of Raton bedrock. <br />• Volcanics <br />Although volcanic boulders and finer debris are found !n the <br />surface co11uv1um and dikes are noted on old mine maps of the <br />area, no significant development of sills or dikes were found <br />within the permit area. It appears that the volcanic debris has <br />been brought down slope by streams or surface creep. <br />Structure <br />The regional and local dip of the area is to the west-southwest <br />between 1-2 degrees. The stucture of the Englevtlle Sean, top of <br />seas, !s depicted on Exhibtt X and on Exhibits FF and GG. As <br />the geology sap Indicates, the dip Increases slightly west of <br />Englevtlle Gulch. The relative constancy of strike appears to be <br />actual rather than a product of an Insufficient number of drill <br />holes. <br />Englevtlle Seam <br />The depth, structure, and outcrop (subcrop) of the Englevtlle <br />Seam is depicted on Exhibits X, Fr^ and GG. The thickness of the <br />seam generally ranges from 8-10 feet and is accurately shown on <br />the latter two exhibits. The area has been intensively mined, <br />• Exhibit HH, and, in general only 'crop coal' unsuitable for <br />-2- <br />