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-4- The principal sources of ground water in the area are localized sandstones within shaly formations, Ground water is present within the Coalmont Formation, primarily in the sandstone between the Hoyle and Sudduth seams. Ground water flow is from southeast to northwest and is affected by local fault patterns. The outcrop zone of the Coalmont formation within the permit area acts as a recharge area for the ground water sources. Mann Draw is located at the northwest corner of the permit area. Mann Draw is an ephemeral drainage which contains alluvial ground water and flows largely in response to snowmelt and localized precipitation events. Mann Draw is tributary to the Canadian River, 1.7 miles northeast of the site. The climate of the region is characteristic of the high intermountain parks. Winds are predominantly westerly and mean annual precipitation is 10 inches. Mean temperatures fluctuate between 15oF and 78oF. The average growing season is 102 days long, The majority of precipitation occurs during the months of May through September and is contained in locally isolated thunderstorms. The soils within the permit area are highly variable in depth and quality. Soils mapped in swales and north-facing slopes are generally deep and well-drained sandy looms, neutral to slightly alkaline, with moderate amounts of organic matter, Several areas of saline and/or sodic topsoil were located in the permit area. These saline and sodic soils are unsuitable for reclamation. The site is located in the intermountain park climax region. Two vegetation types occur within the Site area; a dry grassland community, and a big sagebrush shrub community. The dry grassland type occurs on south-facing slopes and within swales. Dominant life forms are cool season grasses and low shrubs. The big sagebrush community occurs on a variety of exposures and soil types. Dominant life forms are shrubs and semi-shrubs. Vegetation cover ranges from 9% (grassland) to 30% (big sagebrush shrubland), while production ranges from 121 lb/acre (grassland) to 950 lb/acre (big sagebrush shrubland). Description of the Operations and Reclamation Plan Walden Coal Company ceased mining in 1987 and is only proposing to do reclamation activity during this five-year permit term. Of the original 173 acres permitted for disturbance, only 100 acres were disturbed. Mining had progressed to where Stage 5 overburden was pletely removed and part of Stage 6 overburden was removed. Approximately five cres were p entl-; - ~ b reclaimed in the Fall of 1982. The operator is c rently backfilling and ~ 3 ~ grading the entire remaining disturbance and estimates that final backfilling, grading, topsoiling and seeding of the site will be completed by the end of 1988.