Laserfiche WebLink
Soil: Soil types within [he permit area include the following mapping units: Carracas variant - Peney <br />variant, Celacy variant loam, Munn variant loam, and a paralithic clay shale -sandstone - <br />cazbonaceous shale -rock outcrop complex. <br />The paralithic material is unsuitable for reclamation purposes; all other mapped soil units have suitable <br />topsoil material with recommended stripping depths ranging from 5 to 56 inches. <br />Vegetatioa: The east side of the permit azea is dominated by a mountain shrub plant community, <br />with Gambel's Oak being the predominant species. The predominance of Gambel's Oak is expected <br />in this area given past disturbances, elevation, moisture and exposure. A small portion of the permit <br />area is introduced pasture and utilized by the landowner for grazing purposes. <br />The west side of the permit azea, which includes the Barren Ridge and Federal Lease Areas, is <br />dominated by a sparse pinon-juniper plant community. The dominant plants in this community are <br />Gambel's Oak and pinon pine. Grasses and forbs comprise less than 15 percent of the total vegetative <br />cover in these areas. <br />Wildlife: Wildlife information is found in Section 2.04-35 of [he Permit. Mining operations have <br />had very limited impact on fish and wildlife populations. Stollsteimer Creek supports various species <br />of aquatic biota during the late spring and early summer months. Colorado Suckers and varieties of <br />trout can be seen migrating downstream during those months. Low water levels during other times <br />of the year prevent the establishment of continuous significant populations of such species. <br />Stollsteimer Creek is not considered a natural fisheries stream by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. <br />Lands encompassed by the permit area, as well as the azea to be affected over the life of the <br />operation, aze not of a size which will adversely affect resident wildlife populations. In addition, there <br />are no lands within the permit of adjacent areas which can be considered critical habitat, winter range <br />or calving grounds for various wildlife species. Elk, mule deer, bear, bobcats, coyotes, cottontail <br />rabbits, beaver and various other rodent species, raptors, passerine birds, water fowl and numerous <br />reptilian species are known to inhabit the general area. <br />No raze or endangered species of fish and wildlife are known to be endemic to the permit area or area <br />to be affected over the life of the operation. Peregrine falcons (Ealco peregrinus) nest on Chimney <br />Rock which is approximately two miles north of the azea and have been seen using the raptor perches <br />constructed at the site for use in rodent control. <br />Land Use: Land use information is found in Section 2.05-15. The pre-mine land use of the area was <br />rangeland/wildlife and irrigated pasture. The condition of range and wildlife is considered poor due <br />to the absence of soil over much of the area. Vegetative productivity was and is very low. <br />Productivity of the irrigated pasture is much higher. <br />The proposed post-mining land use will be primazily for livestock usage. Limitations of available soil <br />preclude any significant improvement to the area to be disturbed, A redistribution of the soil resource <br />appears to have resulted in some improvement to the productivity potential of the area. in addition, <br />4 <br />