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concentrations are considered to be at background or natural • levels. Visibility at the site ranges from less than 1 mile to approximately 100 miles throughout the year. Average visibility is about 54 miles with greatest visibility occurring during spring and summer months. Prominent vegetation types in the general area include Aspen, wet mixed shrub, dry mixed shrub, Douglas fir, Juniper Pinon, dry meadow, and riparian. The most prevalent type in the area is the wet mixed shrub, which develops on the north and east facing slopes rising to the south of the river. Dense stands of serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) and gambel oak (Ouercus gambelii) dominate the type. The riparian type, which occurs along the North Fork in the vicinity of the mine is dominated by an herbaceous community, with shrubs such as willow (Salix Spp.) and hawthorne (Crataeaus Spp•) growing immediately adjacent to the river. Stands of cottonwood (Pooulus ancxustifolia) are common in undisturbed riparian areas. Numerous wildlife species inhabit the general area. The most prominent big game species, mule deer and elk, utilize the mountain shrub habitat in and adjacent to the permit- mining plan area throughout the year. The North Fork from • Paonia Reservoir downstream five miles to Somerset is stocked by the Division of Wildlife with rainbow trout and supports an estimated 2,000 angler days per year. Below Somerset to the confluence with the Gunnison, the fishery is less important, with rough fish making up a larger portion of the fish population. The mine and processing facilities are located within the North Fork of the Gunnison River drainage which drains generally westward to the Gunnison River and subsequently into the Colorado River. Soils Soils in the area include deep, moderately well drained loams and sandy loamy overlying alluvial gravels in the valley bottom, with shallow well drained soils on the steep mountain sideslopes. Moderately sloping uplands and valley sideslopes on the tablelands to the south of the river are characterized by predominately loamy surface soils overlying sandstone, with soil thicknesses of over 60 inches in depressions and swales. The majority of the slopes within the North Fork Valley exhibit evidence of slope instability due to a preponderance of high-clay content bedrock and steep erosional slope. Mapping performed by W. Rahe Junge of the Colorado Geologic Survey has determined that the • 6