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Naturfta Creek originates near the northern edge of the San Juan Range, flowing northwest approximately 30 miles to its confluence with the San Miguel River upstream of Naturfta. Naturfta Creek drains approximately 203 square miles. Naturfta Creek and its tributaries traverse mostly Upper Cretaceous Dakota and Lower Cretaceous Burro Canyon Sandstones which have interfingered shale, mudstone, and Dakota coal beds. There are three diversion systems within the Naturfta Creek headwater area to the southeast. All return flows from these diversions enter Naturfta Creek upstream from the proposed permit area. Approximately 9 square miles of the Naturfta Creek drainage basin may be affected due to the proposed mining activities at the Hamilton Mine. An additional 8 square miles along Bramiers Draw may be affected. Bramiers Draw empties directly into the San Miguel River. Surface runoff from the proposed permit area flows north into Naturfta Creek along Section 33 Creek. Runoff also flows west to Bramiers Draw which terminates in the San Miguel River less than one quarter mile below its confluence with Naturfta Creek. Stream flow across and adjacent to the proposed permit area is ephemeral, resulting from snowmeit and storm activity only. Springs in the area which may have contributed to flow in the past have been reported dry the last several years according to data provided by Lillylands, Inc. Water fn this drainage area, when present, is suitable for livestock use (from standards in National Academy of Sciences, 1974). Soils Three major and two minor soil series occur on the proposed permit area (see Section 2.04.9, Map 112 and Exhibit 7 of the Permit Application). The major soil series are the Barx fine sandy loam, 1-3X slopes, the Barx fine sandy loam, 3-67. slopes and the Progresso loam, 3-12x slopes. The two soil series that will have minor amounts disturbed are the Pinon loam, 3-50X slopes and the Paradox fine sandy loam, 1-47. slopes. The Barx soil is classified as a fine-loamy, mixed, Mesic Ustollic Haplargid. It is a deep, weil drained sandy loam located on mesas and terraces and formed in sandstone derived alluvium. Typically, the Ai horizon is brown fine sandy loam 2 inches thick. The A2 horizon is a reddish brown loam 3 inches thick. The upper part of the B horizon is yellowish red or light reddish brown sandy clay loam 18 inches thick. The lower 15 inches of the B horizon is pinkish white loam. The upper 13 inches of the C horizon is very pale brown loam and the lower part to a depth of 74 inches or more is pink loam. In some areas the surface layer is loam or sandy clay loam. Permeability of the Barx soil is moderate. Available water capacity is high. Effective'rooting depth 1s 60 inches or more. Runoff is slow and the hazard of water erosiog-is slight. An average of 13 to 23 inches of suitable topsoil is available fo>«,-salvage from Barx soil areas. -8-