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annual precipitation rate varying form 15-19 inches. The growing season in the azea vazies <br />i depending on elevation and exposure with a maximum of 96 frost-free days. <br />Soils <br />Soil properties in the permit area vary widely depending on slope, aspect, and topographic position. <br />Deeper soils are found in the valley bottoms and on the tops of plateaus, while shallow soils <br />associated with rock outcrops dominate the side slopes. Two soil orders (Entisolls and Aridisols) <br />and one rock outcrop complex occur on the site. Both of the soil orders have an ustic moisture <br />regime. There is no soil in the surface facilities azea of the King Coal Mine as a result of this'azea <br />having been disturbed prior to any regulatory requirement to salvage topsoil. An area at the upper <br />reaches of the east drainage area of the King Coal Mine has been identified as a "topsoil" borrow <br />azea with approximately 17,000 cubic yazds of material available for reclamation activities. The <br />results of soil analyses aze provided in Appendix 9(4)(a) of the King Coal Mine permit volume and <br />in Appendix 6 of the King II Mine permit volume. <br />Vegetation <br />The dominant vegetation in the King Coal Mine azea is a mountain shrub community. Gambel's <br />Oak is the most prominent shrub along the side slopes, forming dense stands. On the plateau top <br />above the King Coal Mine, the oak tends to grow in clumps with open stands of grasses interspersed. <br />A juniper pinon community is found on the more xeric southern slopes with scattered individuals of <br />Douglas Fir, Ponderosa Pine encountered on more mesic northern slopes. A pinyon juniper <br />woodland community predominates in the King II Mine azea, extending from the edge of the flat <br />colluvial bottoms up the side slopes of the dissected drainage basins. A rabbitbrush/big sage mixed <br />shrubland community is also located in the King II Mine area on the relatively flat colluvial bottom <br />that is present between the drainage basin side slopes. The valley bottom of Hay Gulch is occupied <br />by introduced pasture. <br />Wildlife <br />A variety of wildlife species utilize the permit area and surrounding azeas. The Colorado Division of <br />Wildlife has identified the general area ofthe mine site as critical deer winter range. Wildlife use is <br />expected to increase upon completion of successful reclamation. <br />Description of the Operation and Reclamation Plans <br />Underground room and pillaz operations aze employed at the King Coal Mine, and proposed for the <br />and King II Mine. The coal is mined in two continuous mining sections. Afrercoal is removed from <br />the working face, both sections will utilize shuttle cars to transport coal to conveyors, which in turn <br />transport the coal to the surface. The surface operations associated with the underground mining <br />operation consist ofcnashing, stockpiling and loading coal. Coal processing facilities at the site is <br />limited to an air wash plant that can be used by both the King Coal and King II Mines. Coal refuse <br />generated by both mines will be incorporated into the refuse pile at the King Coal Mine. Four types <br />