GENERAL35442

• Permit No: C1981041
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 11/4/1984
• Doc Name: Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance
• Permit Index Doc Type: FINDINGS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

capable of flood irrigation. Since no mining activities would take
place within the alluvial valley floor, the geologic, topographic, and
soil characteristics of the alluvial valley floor would be
unaffected. Mining activities are expected to have no effect on the
Rapid Creek/Cottonwood Creek hydrologic system. Water quality in the
Colorado River stream/alluvial aquifer system may be slightly degraded
but the ability to flood irrigate the alluvial valley floors would not
be affected.
The proposed operation is in compliance with the requirements of this
section.
Climatological Information aad Air Resources (2.04.8. 2.05.4(2)(h
The outstanding feature of the
the aridity. Precipitation rep
miles west of the mine site at
precipitation of 8.41 inches.
winters and warm, dry summers.
from November through April.
climate in the vicinity of the permit area is
:ords far the Grand Junction Airport located 10
a similar elevation show a mean annual
The climate is characterized by moderately cold
Approximately half of the precipitation occurs
Climatological information is provided on pages 59-61 of Volume I and pages
14-16 of Volume V of the application.
Powderhorn operates under emission permits from the Colorado,Pepartment of
Health, which are included as Exhibit N in Volume I of the application.
The operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section.
X. Topsoil (2.04.9, 2.05.3(5), 2.05.4(2)(d), 4.06)
Soils resource information found in Volumes I and VI and the topsoil salvage
and redistribution plan in Volumes I and V of the application, have been
reviewed for compliance by the Division. The Division has also reviewed
topsoil information for Cameo Refuse Disposal Areas Nos. 2 and 3 permit
revision. This information can be found in Section 2.04.9, 2.05.3(5),
2.05.4(2)(d) and Appendix XX of the permit revision application.
Since mining at this operation began prior to the Surface Mining Control and
Reclamation Act, no topsoil was salvaged in construction of the mine benches.
Topsoil from the loadout area was used to build the loadout stacker pad,
although a small amount was stockpiled, The majority of the topsoil salvaged
was removed from the location of the Cameo refuse pile.
Soils in the general area are commonly high in sodium and occassionally
saline. This is reflected in the sparse vegetation which is primarily
composed of salt-tolerant species and species such as greasewood, which are
commonly found growing in sodic soils. The analyses of the stockpiled soil
and the material presently on the surface of the disturbed areas reflect the
saline and sodic conditions of the surrounding area.
-26-