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V ,( <br />Stream flow on North Thompson and Middle Thompson Creeks is derived primarily <br />from snowmelt. Flows resulting from snowmelt typically have a gradual rise, <br />moderate peak, lengthy recession and large volume. The peak occurs in May or <br />June, while base flow is in late fall or winter. <br />All surface disturbances, coal preparation structures and adits are in the <br />North Thompson Creek drainage. The underground workings for the No. 3 Mine <br />are entirely within the North Thompson Creek drainage. The adit for the No <br />Mine is in the North Thompson Creek drainage, but the underground workings <br />extend into the Middle Thompson Creek drainage. There are some old mine <br />workings in the Middle Thompson Creek drainage, but there will be no new <br />disturbances. <br />Climate <br />Annual precipitation at the mine is approximately 22 inches, with upland areas <br />receiving up to 35 inches. Approximately 65 percent of the annual <br />precipitation occurs as snowfall. <br />Vegetation <br />The mine permit area is characterized by five vegetation types: riparian <br />woodland, mountain shrubland - dry and moist phase, aspen forest, and spruce- <br />fir forest. Riparian woodland is prevalent along the Thompson Creek stream <br />banks and its tributaries adjacent to the mine area. <br />The loadout vegetation communities are primarily introduced species for <br />grazing and haying purposes. However, pinon-juniper woodland, riparian <br />woodland, big sagebrush shrubland, and rabbitbrush shrubland are also found in <br />and adjacent to the loadout site. <br />Soils <br />Topsoil in the Thompson Creek drainage is limited. Only a thin veneer of <br />topsoil exists on the steep sideslopes of the ridges. Furthermore, much of <br />the topsoil at the mine facility area was lost through historic mining <br />disturbances. In contrast, the loadout site was built on a wide valley floor <br />where topsoil was rich, thick and extensive. Because the loadout was recently <br />constructed, all available topsoil has been salvaged. <br />Wildlife <br />Mine <br />The predominant types of wildlife inhabiting the mine site are elk, deer, <br />coyote, grouse, beaver, and rainbow and cutthroat trout. Mountain lion, <br />bobcat, and turkey are also found in the area. <br />Approximately 200 elk inhabit Stony Ridge, while only about 50 elk inhabit <br />Marion Ridge. They migrate into Stony Ridge during the winter. Deer locate <br />-4- <br />