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There are no perennial streams within the permit area. Surface water within <br />the small ephemeral drainage basin in which the mine is located is limited to <br />runoff from rainfall and snowmelt events: Runoff from the undisturbed upper <br />parts of the east basin is routed around the disturbed areas through a ditch <br />system: Runoff from the undisturbed west basin and the disturbed area is <br />conveyed through a system of culverts and ditches to two sediment ponds at the <br />base of the 86 acre contributing area: Discharge from the ponds enters Hay <br />Gulch, a tributary of the La Plata River. There is no flowing stream within <br />the valley of Hay Gulch at the location of the mine: Historically, streamflow <br />has been diverted into an irrigation ditch on the north side of Hay Gulch. <br />The climatic regime is classified as semi-arid, characterized by hot summers, <br />cold winters, and a limited amount of precipitation each year. The prevailing <br />winds are from the southwest and west with an average annual precipitation <br />rate varying from 15-19 inches. The growing season in the area varies <br />depending on elevation and exposure with a maximum of 96 frost-free days. <br />Soils found within the permit boundary vary greatly depending on slope, aspect <br />and topographic position. Basically, two soil orders (Entisolls and <br />Aridisolsl occupy the site, as well as one rock outcrop complex: Deeper soils <br />are found along the valley bottoms and the plateau top with shallow soils <br />associated with rock outcrops along the side slopes: Both soil orders have an <br />ustic moisture regime: Soils in the disturbed area are non-existent, since <br />all surface disturbance took place prior to the enactment of any statutory <br />reclamation requirements: <br />Vegetation is non-existent in the bench area due to past disturbances. Over <br />the undisturbed permit and affected areas, vegetation is distributed in <br />response to micro-climatic influences. The dominant vegetation in the area is <br />a mountain shrub community. Gambles Oak is the most prominent shrub along the <br />sideslopes; forming dense stands: On the plateau top; the oak tends to grow <br />in clumps with open stands of grasses interspersed. AJuniper-Pinyon <br />community is found on the more xeric southern slopes with scattered <br />individuals of Douglas Fir-Ponderosa Pine encountered on more mesic northern <br />slopes: The valley bottom of Hay Gulch is occupied by introduced pasture: <br />A variety of wildlife species utilize the permit and surrounding areas. The <br />Colorado Division of Wildlife has identified the general area of the mine site <br />as critical deer winter range; Since no new surface disturbance is planned, <br />the effect to wildlife will not increase during the course of mining: <br />Wildlife use will increase upon completion of successful reclamation: <br />Description of the Operations and Reclamation Ptan <br />The permit area encompasses 340 acres all of which are privately owned: <br />Approximately 9,28 acres have been disturbed with no further surface <br />disturbance anticipated: Surface facilities in the disturbed acreage consist <br />of an office building, change hause, shop; state house; security trailer, <br />guard shack, tipple area with numerous coal storage bins; coal storage area; <br />mine exhaust fan; 10,000 gallon water storage tank, and an electrical <br />substation: There is only one road serving the site, a combination <br />haul/access road leading from County Road 120 to the facilities area crossing <br />Hay Gulch: <br />-3- <br />