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McClane Canyon contains an ephemeral channel which is tributary to East <br />Salt Creek. The proposed surface disturbance for the McClane Canyon Mine <br />is entirely within the McClane Canyon drainage basin with the exception <br />of the sediment pond and lower portion of the access road which are <br />situated on the East Salt Creek alluvial valley floor. <br />The climate in the region is semi-arid. Prevailing winds at or near <br />ground level at the mine are dictated by the orientation of the deeply <br />incised McClane Canyon. The annual average precipitation recorded at <br />Fruita (22 miles southeast of McClane Canyon) is 8.8 inches. <br />The soils in the permit area are well to excessively drained and have <br />formed in alluvial or colluvial sediments. Soils are deepest in the <br />valley bottoms and become shallower along the canyon sideslopes where <br />they intersperse with bare rock. All of the soils are rated good to fair <br />as sources of topsoil for reclamation. Limitations exist for subsoils in <br />the alluvium which demonstrate strongly alkaline pH values. <br />The mine occurs within the lower montane climax region. Three vegetation <br />types occur within and adjacent to the permit area. A greasewood <br />shrubland type occupies the flat terrain along the East Salt Creek <br />drainage where soils are deep, well drained and often very sodic and <br />moderately saline. Shadscale shrubland borders the greasewood shrubland <br />along the dry, steep, south facing slopes in the shallower soils which <br />are interspersed with rock outcrops. Juniper Woodland is found along the <br />ridge tops and steep north and west facing slopes of shallow soils and <br />rock outcrops. These vegetation types are common to western Colorado and <br />Utah. <br />3. Description of the Operations and Reclamation Plan <br />Approximately 7.7 acres have been disturbed by the surface operations <br />and facilities. The existing operation consists of the bench portal and <br />face up developments and mine support trailers. A coal surge pile also <br />exists at the site. <br />Coal is mined underground in a down dip direction using room and pillar <br />techniques. Prior to approval of the initial permanent regulatory <br />program permit, the mine workings had already progressed to a point <br />approximately 1,400 feet from the portal entries. After receiving permit <br />approval, the operation planned to produce approximately 123,000 tons of <br />coal per year with a possible acceleration to 246,000 tons for the second <br />year. The total anticipated production for the permit term was <br />approximately 369,500 tons over a two or three year period. However, <br />this figure has been somewhat reduced as the operation has been in <br />temporary cessation since early 1984. Mining during the initial permit <br />aided Salt Creek Mining Company in determining the feasibility of further <br />mining of coal during subsequent permit terms. <br />-3- <br />