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• gaseous pollutants near the proposed site. Since no major <br />sources of these pollutants exist in the surrounding area, <br />concentrations are considered to be at background or natural <br />levels. <br />Visibility at the site ranges from less than 1 mile to <br />approximately 100 miles throughout the year. Average <br />visibility is about 54 miles with greatest visibility <br />occurring during spring and summer months. <br />Prominent vegetation types in the general area include wet <br />mixed shrub, dry mixed shrub, Douglas fir, and riparian. <br />The most prevalent type in the area is the wet mixed shrub, <br />which develops on the north and east facing slopes rising to <br />the south of the river. Dense stands of serviceberry <br />(Amelanchier alnifolia) and gambel oak (Ouercus oambelii) <br />dominate the type. The riparian type, which occurs along <br />the North Fork in the vicinity of the mine is dominated by <br />an herbaceous community, with shrubs such as willow (Salix <br />spo.) and hawthorne (Crataegus Spp.) growing immediately <br />adjacent to the river. Stands of cottonwood (Poaulus <br />anaustifolia) are common in undisturbed riparian areas. <br />Numerous wildlife species inhabit the general area. The <br />most prominent big game species, mule deer and elk, utilize <br />the mountain shrub habitat in and adjacent to the permit- <br />• mining plan area throughout the year. The North Fork from <br />Paonia Reservoir downstream five miles to Somerset is <br />stocked by the Division of Wildlife with rainbow trout and <br />supports an estimated 2,000 angler days per year. Below <br />Somerset to the confluence with the Gunnison, the fishery is <br />less important, with rough fish making up a larger portion <br />of the fish population. <br />The mine and processing facilities are located within the <br />North Fork of the Gunnison River drainage which drains <br />generally westward to the Gunnison River and subsequently <br />into the Colorado River. <br />Soils <br />Soils in the area include deep, moderately well drained <br />loamy and sandy loamy overlying alluvial gravels in the <br />valley bottom, with shallow well drained soils on the steep <br />mountain sideslopes. Moderately sloping uplands and valley <br />sideslopes on the tablelands to the south of the river are <br />characterized by predominately loamy surface soils overlying <br />sandstone, with soil thicknesses of over 60 inches in <br />depressions and swales. The majority of the slopes within <br />the North Fork Valley exhibit evidence of slope instability <br />due to a preponderance of high-clay content bedrock and <br />• steep erosional slope. Mapping performed by W. Rahe Junge <br />8 <br />