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-6- Same recreational use, hunting and hiking in particular, occurs within the mine area. There are also a few summer hares, cow camps, and even a restaurant that has been used intermittently. Cultural, historic, and archaeological studies have been conducted for the permit area in April and May, 1977; August, 1980; August, 1981; July, 1982; May and September, 1984 and July, 1986. No significant prehistoric or historic cultural resources were encountered within the areas studied. Three abandoned coal mines were found but they were not considered significant finds. A total of twenty-six (26) archaeological or historic sites have been identified within the permit area. Malty of the sites will not be affected by the operation. Seven sites were determined to be eligible for the National Register but are not predicted to be adversely affected by the operation. The State Historic Preservation Officer has determined that there will be no effect to significant cultural resources. The vegetation on the areas affected by the Orchard Valley Mine's surface operations and facilities is characterized by pinyon-funiper stands, mixed mountain shrub lands, oakbrush shrub lands, and orchard land at the rail loadout facility along the North Fork. The pinyon-funlper type is the most prevalent vegetation type occurring in the disturbed area of the main mine facilities, covering 81.0 acres. The mixed mountain shrub type and oak brush vegetation type occur primarily in the OVWM portal area. The Orchard Valley Mine's rail loadout facilities have affected 42.6 acres of orchard land. Oisturbed area at Orchard Valley covers approximately 142 acres. The climate of the region is typical of the Rocky Mountain area. The valley in which Paonia is situated is semi-arid with annual precipitation averaging about fifteen (15) inches per year. Mean annual precipitation increases with elevation, reaching approximately thirty-five (35) inches per year on the summit of Chalk Mountain. The May-September precipitation is five (5) inches for the lowlands and thirteen (13) inches for the mountain peaks. This indicates that snowfall patterns play an important part in determining the hydrology of the area. The area is mountainous, with elevations ranging from 5,800 feet at Paonia to 11,150 feet at Chalk Mountain to the North on the Grand Mesa. Slopes range from 0 to 60 percent on the permit area, and elevations range from about 5,700 feet at the loadout facilities area to approximately 8,700 feet at the northern extremity of the permit area. The CWI permit area is drained by East Roatcap Creek, West Roatcap Creek, Main Roatcap Creek, Steven's Gulch, Coal Gulch, and Terror Creek; all of which are tributaries to the North Fork of the Gunnison. Terror Creek is a perennial stream with an aquatic camnunity that includes some trout. The stream has a high gradient channel with riparian vegetation and alluvium confined to narrow bands along the channel.