GENERAL35604

• Permit No: C1981038
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 7/21/1988
• Doc Name: PROPOSED DECISION & FINDINGS OF COMPLIANCE FOR RN1
• Permit Index Doc Type: Findings
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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Sane recreational use, hunting and hiking in particular, occurs within the
mine area. There are also a few summer homes, cow camps, and even a
restaurant that has been used intermittently.
Cultural, historic, and archaeological studies have been conducted for the
permit area in April and Mdy, 1977; August, 1980; August, 1981; July, 1982;
Mdy and September, 1984 and July, 1986. No significant prehistoric or
historic cultural resources were encountered within the areas studied. Three
abandoned coal mines were found but they were not considered significant
finds. A total of twenty-six (26) archaeological or historic sites have been
identified within the perms*, area. Many of the sites will not De affected by
the operation. Seven sites were determined to be eligible for the National
Register but are not predicted to be adversely affected by the operation. The
State Historic Preservation Officer has determined thai-.xhere will be no
effect to significant cultural resources.
fie vegetation on the areas affected by the Orchard Ya11ey Mine's surface
operations and facilities is characterized by pinyon-juniper stands, mixed
mountain shrub lands, oakbrush shrub lands, and orchard land at the rail
loadout facility along the North Fork. The pinyon-,juniper type is the most
prevalent vegetation type occurring in the disturbed area of the main mine
facilities, covering 81.0 acres. The mixed mountaln.shrub type and oakbrush
vegetation type occur primarily 1n the OVUM portal area. The Orchard Palley
• Mine's rail loadout facilities have affected 42.6 acres of orchard land.
Disturbed area at Orchard Palley covers approximately 142 acres.
The climate of the region is typical of the Rocky Mountain area. The valley
in which Paonia is situated is semi-arid with annual precipitation averaging
about fifteen (15) inches per year. Mean annual precipitation increases with
elevation, reaching approximately thirty-five (35) inches per year on the
summit of Lhalk Mountain. The May-September precipitation is five (5) inches
for the lowlands and thirteen (13) inches for the mountain peaks. This
indicates that snowfall patterns p14Y an important part in determining the
hydrology of the area.
The area is mountainous, with elevations ranging from 5,800 feet at Paonia to
11,150 feet at Chelk Mountain to the North on the Grand Mesa. Slopes range
from 0 to 60 percent on the permit area, and elevations range from about 5,700
feet at the loadout facilities area to approximately 8,700 feet at the
northern extremity of the permit area.
The CifI permit area is drained by East Roatcap Creek, Nest Roatcap Creek, Main
Roatcap Creek, Steven's Gulch, Coal Gulch, and Terror Lreek; all of which are
tributaries to the North Fo-ic of the Gunnison.
Terror Creek is a perennial stream with an aquatic community that includes
some trout. The stream has a high gradient channel with riparian vegetation
and alluvium confined to narrow bands along the channel.
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