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-8- Rollins Sandstone is controlled by topography, faults, fractures, and dis- continuous 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 overlaying 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. 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. Tense stands of service berry (Amelanchier alnifolia) and gambel oak (Ouercus gambelii) dominate the type. The riparian type, which occurs along the North Fork in the vicinity of the mine is dominated by an herbaceous community, with shrubs such as willow (salix spp.) and hawthorne (crataegus spp.) growing immediately adjacent to the river. Stands of cottonwood (POpulus angustifoZia) 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 catchable 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. Description of the Operations and Reclamation Plan The Bear mine is a room and pillar underground operation, currently producing 250,000 to 300,000 tons of coal per year from the "C" seam, in Federal Lease No. D-044569. Presently, the coal mined by Bear Coal Company is transported from the underground workings via the No. I and No. 2 portals. Mining at the No. 1 and No. 2 is being phased out and operations will cease in June of 1982. Surface facilities will be removed and the 19-acre disturbed area will be re- graded, ripped, topsoiled and revegetated. The portals will be sealed and the face-up areas backfilled to a stable configuration. Reclamation will entail the rerroval of all roads and culverts and the reestablishment of original drainage patterns. Reclamation, including topsoiling and seeding, will be completed by the fall of 1982. The proposed Bear No. 3 operation involves the renovation of the abandoned Edwards Portal, and the mining of the "C" seam in the adjacent Federal Coal Lease No. D-052501. A sediment control system, including a sediment pond, drainage ditches and culverts will be constructed prior to any development activity at the proposed 8-acre surface disturbance area. Topsoil will be salvaged and stockpiled on site to be used in final reclamation. Facilities construction