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Climatological Information and Air Resources - Rules 2.04.8, 2.05.4f2)(h1 and <br />2.05.6 1 <br />Climatological information for the permit area is found in Section 2.04.8 of <br />the permit application. An air pollution control plan is presented in <br />Section 2.05.6. The air emission permit is in Exhibit 9 of the permit <br />application. <br />Climatic conditions in the area are typified by heavy snowfall and cold <br />temperatures in the winter months and moderate summertime temperatures. <br />freezing temperatures can occur during any month of the year resulting in a <br />short growing season. Average annual precipitation is approximately <br />16 inches. Less than 20% of this occurs during the growing season months of <br />June, July and August. <br />Soils - Rule 2:04.9 <br />Mollisols, Aridisols and Entisols are the soil orders found within the permit <br />area. The disturbed mine area is dominated by Mollisols and Aridisols. These <br />soils range from deep, well drained looms to shallow, excessively drained <br />sandy looms. Deeper, better drained soils are encountered along the toes of <br />ridges with soil depth decreasing with elevation along the slope. No toxicity <br />problems have been identified within the disturbed area. Major soil <br />restrictions relate to slope steepness. erosion potential, depth to rock, and <br />permeability. All soils found within the disturbed area fall within the SCS <br />land use capability classification of grazing land. Erosion potential appears <br />to be the most limiting factor, Although these soils are all classed as <br />grazing land, they are a good source of plant growth medium with restrictions <br />being physical rather than chemical, Redistributed soils are capable of <br />establishing a diverse, self-sustaining vegetative cover, Refer to Section B, <br />IV of this document for additional information and specific permit citations. <br />Vegetation = Rule 2:04:10 <br />Vegetation in the vicinity of the mine is characterized by four major plant <br />communities: Big Sagebrush, Alkali Sagebrush, Meadow Hay and Brome Hay. The <br />Big Sagebrush is the dominant type and it is found throughout the permit area <br />on a variety of slopes and aspects. It is dominated by Big Sagebrush and <br />Snowberry. The understory is dominated by wheatgrasses and arrowleaf <br />balsamroot. The Meadow Hay and Brome Hay vegetation types are located in the <br />lowlands. Both are dominated by grasses. Brome Hay areas are characterized <br />by predominately introduced species. Alkali .Sagebrush dominates the overstory <br />in that community and, understory is principally Prairie Junegrass and <br />Letterman's Needlegrass. Refer to Section B, XI of this document for <br />additional information and specific permit citations. <br />Fish and Wildlife = RuTe-2.04:TT <br />Numerous wildlife species inhabit the general area. The most predominant are <br />elk, mule deer and grouse. Other wildlife species include: black bear, <br />cougar, rabbit, coyote, bobcat, red fox, rodents, bats, skunks, waterfowl, <br />amphibians and reptiles. Refer to Section B, XIII of this document for <br />additional information and specific permit citations. <br />-6- <br />