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physiographic province, consisting of dissected highlands that separate the High Plains to the east from the Rocky Mountains to the west. The major structural feature of the region of the mine area is the Raton Basin, a broad, asymmetric synclinal basin with its axis trending north-south. Rock units deposited during the Cretaceous period of the Mesozoic Era and during the Paleocene period of the Cenozoic Era are exposed throughout the basin due to uplift and subsequent erosion. Coal seams in the Vermejo Formation and the Raton Formation are exposed at various locations throughout the basin. Coal mining is no newcomer to the region, as mining has been conducted since the 1$50's, mostly in underground mines faced-up into coal seam outcrops in the valleys. Coal quality is generally very good, with a low sulfur content and good coking qualities in many of the seams. Due to parting and splits in the seams, much of the coal mined in the region requires washing prior to loadout and shipment. The Purgatoire River flows through the area and is the major stream that drains the region. Its headwaters are in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range to the west and the Spanish Peaks to the northwest. The North Fork of the Purgatoire drains the Spanish Peaks area, the Middle Fork drains the azea west of Stonewall, Colorado, and the South Fork of the Purgatoire drains the areas south of Highway 12 into New Mexico to the south. The Purgatoire River drains 404 square miles above its confluence with Lorencito Canyon. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has operated two stream gauging stations in the vicinity; site 07124050 at Stonewall, Colorado and site 07124200 at Madrid, Colorado. The Stonewall site drains 57 square miles and the Madrid site, above Trinidad Reservoir, drains 505 square miles. Numerous perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral streams drain to the Purgatoire between these two sites. Surface water is characterized as a calcium/sodium bicarbonate water, neutral to slightly alkaline, with low hardness. pH ranges from 6.15 to 8.8 and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) ranges from 50-650 mg/]. Ground water occurrence in the region can best be described as limited. Consolidated bedrock aquifers generally have a low hydraulic conductivity and a low storativity, rendering bedrock aquifers unusable for sources of economic water. Alluvial groundwater is present in the major alluvial valleys of the region and is used for domestic purposes associated with ranching activities. Ground water quality is variable, but can generally be described as fair quality. Alluvial water is suitable fox most uses, where TDS levels are not elevated. Bedrock water quality is fair from shallow aquifers, but degrades with depth and would not generally be suitable for domestic use. Lands in Las Animas County are classified and divided into zoning districts. There are two zoning districts within the Lorencito Canyon permit azea; the Agricultural District and the Rural Residential District. Underground and strip mines are a conditional use of these zoning districts and require a special use permit. Population is sparse in the region, with the vast majority of residents living along the Purgatoire River and Highway 12. Ranching is the main focus for many of the residents, although recently