GENERAL34738 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

is 42°F. The average maximum and minimum temperatures are 66°F and 17°F respectively. Regionally, wind directions run east-west following the Yampa River Valley. More localized wind patterns trend along the side valleys. i.and Ilse The current and historic land use of the area in which the operation is located is grazing land for livestock and habitat for wildlife. Regional land use patterns are oriented in three relatively distinct bands. Irrigated cropland is closely associated with the floodplain of the Yampa River. To the south, non-irrigated crops are grown on the sloping upland surfaces. The area neatest the mining operation is mostly hilly and mountainous terrain and used primarily as rangeland for livestock grazing and wildlife habitat. Soils The soils found within and adjacent to the mine plan area are typical of soils found in the cold, semi-arid regions of the Western United States. The soils are generally moderately deep (20 to 40 inches) to shallow (10 to 20 inches) and have developed in weathered, interbedded fine sandstone, siltstone, and shale, and in local slope wash and colluvium. Most of the soils are Borollic Vertic Camborthids, Lithic Cryoborolls, and Pachic Cryoborolls. Most of the soil types found in the mine plan area contain at least six inches of suitable topsoil material. The best sources of topsoil material aze the Splitro silt loam, the Winevada Loam, and the Cochetopa Loam which comprise significant portions of the azea to be disturbed. Salvage depths vary from 6 to 64 inches, resulting in an overall soil replacement depth of 15 inches over regraded areas. Vegetation Vegetation in the vicinity of the mine is characterized by three vegetative types; mixed brush, sagebrush grassland, and aspen. Land use in this area is undeveloped rangeland, with a small area classified as industrial due to an oil well site. Because of livestock grazing, shrubs have increased in density while forbs and grasses have decreased. Vegetation in the vicinity of the tie-across haul road is characterized by four vegetative types: low sagebrush, meadow, cropland, and greasewood. Land use in this area is non-irrigated cropland, industrial and rangeland. The non-irrigated cropland is used primazily for winter wheat production. The designated industrial azea classification is the permitted Hayden Gulch Mine Loadout. Fish and Wildlife Numerous wildlife species inhabit the general area of the mine site and tie-across haul road. The most predominant big game species are elk and mule deer. Pronghorn antelope frequent the Seneca II-W Findings Document $ November 3, 1999