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-50- Climatological Information and Air 2.05.4(2)(h), 2.05.6(1) and 4.17 Protection - Rules 2.09.8 Climatological data for the North Fork region is available from Paonia, Colorado. Climatological information is presented on pages 96-48, Section 2.04 of the permit application. For a thorough discussion of the precip- itation regime and water yield of the region, see the Precipitation and Runoff subsection of Section VIII "Probable Hydrologic Consequences of Mining and Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Study," page 31 of this document. Blue Ribbon Coal Company has provided a copy of Air Emission Permit No. C-12, 411 (FD) which can be found on page J-22 of Exhibit J. All concerns pertain- ing to climatology and air resources which were raised in the Division's February 1, 1982 Preliminary Adequacy Review of the permit application have been satisfactorily resolved, and the application is in compliance with the requirements of this section. X. Topsoil - Rules 2.04.9, 2.05.3(5), 2.05.4(2)(d) and 4.06 Soils within the disturbed areas at the mine are generally well drained and vary in depth and texture in relation to slope and aspect. On the west- facing areas, those slopes with a more southerly exposure have soils which are generally shallow (less than 20") to moderately deep (20" to 40") and are classified as Dollard-TOrriorthents-Rock outcrop complexes, 40 to 70 percent slopes. Soils on the more northerly exposures are moderately deep to deep, have clayey subsoils and are classified as Absarokee-Work clay loams, 15 to 50 percent slopes. Soils within the floodplain of Hubbard Creek are deep, well drained, and are classified as Fluvents, occasionally flooded, 0 to 2 percent slopes. These soil types are delineated on Exhibit D-Soils Map for the Blue Ribbon Mine and are described on pages 49-61, Section 2.04 of the permit application. The topsoil handling and topsoil redistribution plans are discussed on pages 108-I 11, .Section 2.05. C Little topsoil was salvaged during construction of the mine bench and access road. Previous disturbances to the area associated with the old Blue Ribbon Mine and the highly variable soil depths on the steep slope areas made topsoil salvage impractical. However, salvaged topsoil wi1I be combined with material from the large pond embankment which has been shown through soils analysis to be suitable as a plant growth medium. This will result in a respread soil depth of 4" over the entire disturbed area. Suitability of the existing disturbed area soils as plant growth media was limited in two of the six samples taken by a low pH (pB = 5.5). The severity of the limitation is slight and no hazard to reclamation success is expected with the proposed plan. Prior to redistribution, the disturbed area will be ripped to eliminate slippage surfaces, relieve compaction, and provide for adequate root penetration. Prior to seeding, the applicant has committed to sampling all soils and treating with appropriate amendments as required. The application is in compliance with the requirements of this section.