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on a seasonal basis, and is directly related to precipitation. <br />Ephemeral streams in the proposed exploration area include Taylor Creek, Little <br />Collom Gulch and the East and West Forks of Jubb Creek and the various upstream <br />branches connected to the above-mentioned streams or other drainages. Water <br />quality is generally poor and alkaline. <br />6. Groundwater <br />Groundwater within the ridges and above the drainages is expected to be minimal, <br />and when present, will occur as perched water zones within porous and/or fractured <br />sandstones and coals. The groundwater may drain out of the side slopes via springs <br />in the deeply incised valleys. <br />Potential aquifers of significance in the Mesaverde Group in Northwest Colorado <br />include the Twenty Mile Sandstone of the Williams Fork Formation and the lower <br />Trout Creek Sandstone of the Iles Formation. The Twenty Mile Sandstone is not as <br />prominent or continuous in the proposed drilling areas as in other locations in <br />northwest Colorado. The Trout Creek Sandstone is the major regional aquifer, and <br />lies well below the target-drilling zone and outcrops west, south, and north of the <br />proposed exploration/reserve definition azea. For additional information, please refer <br />to the Colowyo Permit C-81-019. <br />None of the proposed exploration holes will be developed as water wells. <br />7. Soils <br />The soils resulting from weathering of the Williams Fork and Iles Formations are <br />generally clay, silty clay, or silty loams. On ridge tops, the soil profiles range from <br />about one to five feet in depth and aze dazk in color, containing a significant amount <br />of decayed plant material. The underlying rock type governs the clay content of the <br />soil. The shales and siltstones generally form clay and silty clay loams, while the <br />sandstones form silt and silty clay loams. These soils have good water retention <br />capability, and have proven to be suitable for reclamation/revegetation purposes. <br />Steeper slopes form shallower soil profiles and contain a great deal of rocks and <br />cobbles. Natural erosion is evident on steep slopes throughout the proposed area. <br />The erosion is severe in gullies that channel concentrated flows of runoff and less <br />severe where sheet flow occurs. <br />Drainage bottoms contain deep well-developed soil profiles derived from the erosion <br />of the surrounding highlands mentioned above. Soil profiles and other colluvial <br />derived deposits found in the major drainage bottoms are typically tens of feet deep. <br />N:\CCC ENGWANnDMGWOI DOC\07N0P07 NOI 7exLdoc <br />1026/06 <br />4 <br />