GENERAL41258

• Permit No: C1981034
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 6/14/1993
• Doc Name: PROPOSED DECISION & FINDINGS OF COMPLIANCE FOR RN2
• Permit Index Doc Type: FINDINGS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Soils-Rule 2.04.9
Information on soil resources can be found in Section 2.04.9 of the permit.
The sail type in the 21-acre surface disturbance is a Beenom-Absarokee
Association which varies in depth from 5 inches along the side slopes to 12
inches along the drainage bottom. Deeper, more productive soils have developed
along the major streams and in the "glacial-alluvial" deposits in the more level
uplands to the north and west of the surface disturbance area. Detailed analysis
of the soil was obtained from 55 representative sites throughout the area. Each
site is shown on the Soils Map, 2.04.9-1, contained in the permit. Soil samples
were taken in areas to gather information about refuse, topsoil, overburden, and
coal fines. Soils at the facilities area had been severely disturbed by previous
surface activity associated with underground mining.
Vegetation-Rule 2.04.10
Information regarding vegetation can be found in Section 2.04.10 of the permit
application.
Studies of the vegetation in the vicinity of the Red Canyon Mine began in 1979
and were completed during 1981. The primary vegetation type in the permit and
adjacent area is pinon-juniper woodland, with limited sagebrush and greasewood
communities occupying deeper soils along drainages and toe slopes.
Fish and Wildlife-Rule 2.04-11
Information regarding fish and wildlife can be found in Sections 2.04.10(3) and
2.04.11.
In a report by the Division of Wildlife, it was found that the area encompassing
the Red Canyon Mine had been disturbed by prior mining activity and, as a result,
the area does not provide very good wildlife habitat.
Mule deer and elk winter in the adjacent
near the mine site. Coyote, bobcat, fox,
rabbits, raptors, and many other species
and non-game birds inhabit the area.
area surrounding the mine and are found
cottontail rabbits, mourning dove, jack
of small mammals, reptiles, amphibians
The Division of wildlife (DOW) is primarily concerned with the possible impact
on critical deer winter range in this area. DOW recommended speed limit zones
and deer crossing signs while the mine was in operation.
Descrintion of the Operation and Reclamation Plans
The Red Canyon Permit Renewal of 1988 indicated that mining operations ceased in
1984 and that future permits would be required only to reclaim the site.
Consequently, this findings and permit document is being issued approving only
reclamation and not continuation of mining. The portals were sealed in 1986 and
the majority of reclamation was completed in 1988. A description of the previous
operation plan and the proposed reclamation plan follows.
The Red Canyon Mine plan called for mining of two coal seams (the D and the E)
which occur near the base of the Upper Cretaceous Mesaverde Formation, a 300-350
foot section of non-marine siltstone, claystone, and channel sandstone deposits
above the Rollins Sandstone. Only a portion of the E seam was mined; it averaged
six (6) feet in thickness and dipped 3-5 degrees to the northeast. Overburden
thickness ranges from less than 100 feet near the portals to approximately 1000
feet at the northern permit boundary.
The permitted area is approximately 610 acres; all privately owned surface. The
E coal seam, which was the seam mined via the Red Canyon No. 1 portals, is 100
percent private coal, while approximately 4 percent of the D seam coal planned
to be mined via the No. 2 portals was from Federal Lease D-036906. The D seam