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follows for approximately 100 feet. From this point, for the length of the canyon, the diversity of plant
<br />life dramatically increases. Amicro-climate exists within the upper two-thirds of the canyon. This is a
<br />result of the canyon's narrowness and aspect which traps in the cool air producing a diversity of plant
<br />species which include: Narrow-leaf cottonwood, box elder, Douglas fir, aspen, Gambel oak,
<br />chokecherry, serviceberry, Rocky mountain maple, mountain ash, redstem ceanothus, snowberry, sticky
<br />currant, mountain lover, western thimbleberry, Rudbeckia spp., wild raspberry, cow parsnip, Oregon
<br />grape, false Solomon's seal, bluntseed sweetroot, meadow rue, lupine, violet, bedstraw, columbine,
<br />Fremont geranium, blue gentian, bracken fern, Kentucky bluegrass, western wheatgrass, and brome
<br />grass.
<br />C. Land Use
<br />The topography is characterized as steep north facing slopes on the southeastern margin of Grand Mesa.
<br />The application lands are between the North Fork of the Gunnison River and Minnesota Creek drainages
<br />at elevations ranging from 6,100 feet to 8,500 feet above sea level. The application lands support
<br />wildlife use, dispersed recreation and livestock grazing.
<br />The Forest Service Amended LRMP prescription designates the tract as 66. This prescription emphasizes
<br />livestock grazing and may provide recreation opportunities for semi-primitive non-motorized, semi-
<br />primitive motorized and roaded natural settings.
<br />The area is generally open to off road motorized use as identified on the "Gunnison Area Basin" Forest
<br />map.
<br />On the Forest Service, the Dry Fork Cattle and Horse Allotment overlays the proposed lease tract and is
<br />grazed by 507 permitted cattle from June 16 to October 1. Stockponds are located throughout the tract
<br />and could possibly be used as a source for drilling water. The BLM surface is within Livestock Allotment
<br />#4517; the allotment permits 900 sheep during the summer months.
<br />There are two rights-of-way located on the application lands managed by the BLM, one power line I000-
<br />36666) and Colorado State Highway 133 IC-315891, see Map 1. These rights-of-way cross the
<br />northeastern portion of the proposed lease tract. After the application of the Coal Unsuitability Criterion
<br />No. 3, 0.75 miles 118 acres) of Colorado State Highway 133 is unsuitable for coal mining. An exception
<br />to this criterion may be obtained as described in Appendix 1.
<br />There is one right-of-way managed by the Forest Service; Forest Service Special Use permit to Mountain
<br />Coal Company, issued 01 /30/92, permits spring developments and water transmission lines. The permit
<br />is located in the northwestern portion of section 22, T.13S., R.90W., 6th PM.
<br />D. TranS~OrtatlOn
<br />The surface of the application area is accessed by the Colorado State Highway 133 to the north and the
<br />Minnesota Creek Drainage to the south. Access to the southern portion of the proposed lease tract
<br />would be provided by the Dry Fork of Minnesota Creek road and roads to Apache Rocks and West
<br />Flatiron Mesa.
<br />Coal is transported by underground conveyor to the loadout tipple on fee lands. The loadout facility is
<br />served by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. This spur is used solely for coal haulage. The line ends
<br />just past the West Elk Mine and connects loadout facilities of several coal mines along the route. In
<br />1993, eleven 100-car trains hauled coal between the mines in Paonia and Grand Junction every week.
<br />The trains haul coal from the Bear Mine, West Elk Mine, Orchard Valley Mine and the Sanborn Creek
<br />Mine. Coal cars are sided at loadout facilities until they are filled with coal.
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