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• <br />S~F 2.04.3 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: SITE DESCRIPTION AND LAND US <br />iii iiiiuiuiiu iii <br />999 _ <br />Doc Date:12/11/2001 <br />This section of the permit revision application incorporates a description <br />of mine, loadout, and adjacent areas and information on both historic and <br />existing land use in these areas. Coal mining has occurred in this <br />general area since the late 1800's. With several progressive cycles of <br />mining activity, land use in some areas has alternated between mining and <br />agricultural applications. Information on previous mining and other <br />historic uses is based upon physical evidence, historical records, <br />conversations with long-time residents, and comparisons with adjacent <br />undisturbed areas. <br />Site Description <br />• <br />EFCI's Southfield operations consist of mining, processing and related <br />activities within the mine area, and temporary stockpiling and loadout <br />operations within the loadout area. <br />The mine area, located approximately eight (8) miles south of Florence, <br />Colorado, is in a highland basin between the Wet Mountains to the west and <br />the eastern plains. The terrain slopes gently to the northeast with <br />numerous small ephemeral drainages generally paralleling the slope <br />direction. Soil materials are generally poorly developed sandy loams <br />derived from surficial colluvial/alluvial materials. The mine area lies <br />within a vegetative transition zone between the Douglas fir forest, which <br />begins at the margin of the Wet Mountains within the mine permit area, and <br />the sagebrush/grass prairie to the east. Most of the mine permit area can <br />be characterized as sagebrush/grass or pinyon/juniper with limited Douglas <br />fir forest along the southern and western margins. <br />• <br />The loadout area, which is 1.5 miles northwest of Florence, Colorado, is <br />located on terrace deposits on the north margin of the Oak Creek <br />floodplain. Terrain in the loadout area is relatively flat with a low <br />ridge intersecting the loadout permit area. The ridgeline forms a <br />drainage break with the eastern portion of the loadout area draining to <br />2.04.3-I <br /> <br />