GENERAL30475

• Permit No: C1981019
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 5/4/2007
• Doc Name: Proposed Decision & Findings of Compliance for PR2
• Permit Index Doc Type: Findings
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

water quality deviations caused by infiltration of ranoffwater. Colowyo further indicates, "meteoric
water infiltrating into the reclaimed pit should enter the bedrock aquifer and eventually contribute to
seeps and springs tributary to Good Spring Creek and possibly Taylor Creek." These statements are
consistent with Division findings. Therefore the Division concludes that the Colowyo Mine has the
potential to negatively impact alluvial groundwater and groundwater points ofcompliance are under
review.
IV. Topsoil -Rules 2.04.9, 2.05.3(s), 2.05.4(2)(d) and 4.06
The Permit has been Found to be in compliance with Rules 2.04.9, 2.05.3(s), 2.05.4(2)(d) and 4.06
with regard to the protection of topsoil resources. The Division has approved alternative procedures
for topsoil protection following removal based on a demonstration that such alternative procedures
will provide more protection for the topsoil [Rule 4.06.1(2)].
A. The Soil Resource
A summary of the soil resource is found in the Summary section ofthis document, Descrintion of the
Environment. Detailed information is presented in Section 2.04.9 and Exhibit 9 of the original
permit volumes for the original permit area, while detailed soil description information for the PR-2
South Taylor and Lower Wilson expansion areas is contained in Section 2.04.9 of Volume 12 and
Exhibit 9 of Volume 13. Order III (generalized) soil mapping for the permit azea is presented in
map SA of Volume 14; more detailed Order II soil mapping for the South Taylor and Lower Wilson
areas is presented on Maps SB and SC, respectively. Baseline information presented in the
application for the South Taylor expansion area is drawn largely from a 1984 report titled "Soil
Inventory-Danforth Hills Project, Rio Blanco and Moffat Counties",prepared for Consolidation Coal
Company by certified professional soil scientist James P. Walsh. The Walsh report is included as
Exhibit 9, Item 7, of Volume 13.
The most prevalent soils in azeas yet to be disturbed (as of May, 2007), include Burnette, Work,
Lamphier, Rhone, and Northwater Loams. These aze borolls, which developed from residuum or
colluvium on gently sloping to rolling ridgetops, moderately steep sideslopes, and in gently sloping,
concave narrow stream valleys. Shallow, rocky soils of the order entisol occur to a limited extent
within the area to be disturbed on steep, south-facing slopes. The very thick Silas loam soil
developed from alluvium within narrow bands along the larger ephemeral drainages.
The predominant hill-slope soils have relatively thick, loamy textured mollic epipedons, well suited
for reclamation use. Salvageable thickness of these soils averages from 12 inches to 30 inches.
Subsoils in these units are somewhat marginal, due to heavier texture or excessive cobbles. The
Silas loam soil along the drainage valley bottoms is generally suitable for salvage to depths of five
feet or more.
Information specific to portions of the permit area disturbed prior to May 2007 is discussed in more
detail in the October 2002 Renewal No. 4 Findings Document.
Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance 4 May 2007
Permit Revision 02 Page 43