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-10- Several categories of potential aquifers exist in the general area: 1. Alluvial and terrace deposits associated with the North Fork of the Gunnison River to the north and Sylvester Gulch to the east; 2. lenticular, discontinuous sandstones and coals; 3. colluvial deposits; and, 4. the Rollins Sandstone. Local bedrock ground water movement above the Rollins Sandstone is controlled by topography, faults, fractures, and discontinuous lenticular sandstones. Discharge of ground water occurs through numerous seeps and springs in the general area, most of which are intermittent and emanate from localized, lenticular sandstones above the "F" Seam of the Upper Coal Member. The alluvial aquifer of the North Fork is the most significant occurrence of ground water in the general area, and a number of domestic wells are located along the river. Soils in the area include deep, moderately well drained loamy and sandy loamy overlying alluvial gravels in the valley bottom, with shallow well drained soils on the steep mountain sideslopes. Moderately sloping uplands and valley sideslopes on the tablelands to the south of the river are characterized by predominately loamy surface soils overlying sandstone, with soil thicknesses of over 60 inches in depressions and swales. The majority of the slopes within the North Fork Valley exhibit evidence of slope instability due to a preponderance of high-clay content bedrock and steep erosional topographic slope. Mapping performed by W. Rahe Junge of the Colorado Geologic Survey has determined that the majority of the surface of the Bear Coal permit area is veneered by ancient and modern landslide deposits. This area is delineated on Map No. 9, of the revised "Geology/Hydrology Map. Prominent vegetation types in the general area, as identified by the applicant, include wet mixed shrub, dry mixed shrub, douglas fir, and riparian. The most prevalent type in the area is the wet mixed shrub, which develops on the north and east facing slopes rising to the south of the river. Dense stands of serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) and gambel oak (Quercus am) dominate the type. The riparian type, which occurs along t e orth or in the vicinity of the mine is dominated by an herbaceous conmwnity, with shrubs such as willow (Salix ~.) and hawthorne (Cratae us spp.) growing immediately adjacent to ti~iver. Stands of cottonwo~ ~Populus angustifolia) are common in undisturbed riparian areas. Numerous wildlife species inhabit the general area. The most prominent big game species, mule deer and elk, utilize the mountain shrub habitat in and adjacent to the permit area throughout the year. The northern bald eagle is a winter resident along the North Fork, and is the only rare or endangered wildlife species in the area. The North Fork from Paonia Reservoir downstream five miles to Somerset is stocked by the Division of Wildlife with rainbow trout and supports an estimated 2,000 angler days per year. Below Somerset to the confluence with the Gunnison, the fishery is less important, with rough fish making up a larger proportion of the fish population.