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permeability of the interbedded shales and siltstones of the Iles Formation, the Tow Creek Sandstone is recharged primazily where it subcrops in the stream bottoms. The nearest subcrop of the Tow Creek Sandstone to the permit area is approximately one mile upstream of the mine. Low vertical permeability results in the formation of perched aquifers in local lenticular strata. These perched aquifers recharge and discharge within a short distance forming small seasonal springs and seeps. Sunland Mining Corporation conducted a mine inflow study. This information is provided on Map I of the permit application. This map shows that the mine inflow is restricted to Floor seeps occurring in Fault Block No. I and the total rate of water production underground is 40 gallons per hour. An underground inspection of the mine was conducted by the Division which confirmed that absolutely no water was being made through the fault zones even in areas where the mine is lower than Trout Creek stream level. A mine sump water sample was taken and the analysis is presented on page 59 of the permit application. This analysis shows acceptable water quality as defined for the Trout Creek drainage by the Colorado Department of Health, Water Quality Control Commission. 'ne mine workings slope down into the hillside. Groundwater inflows are expected to reach an equilibrium and the mine is not expected to discharge. Information pertaining to ground water hydrology can be found on pages 58-70 of the permit application. Vegetation The surface facilities area was disturbed prior to the enactment of the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act. Since quantitative vegetation data was not required when the surface disturbance occurred at the Apex Mine, no premining soils or vegetation data are available. Therefore, the operator provided SCS soils mapping and range site descriptions based on adjacent areas with similar topography, aspect and pazent material. Extensive wildlife baseline studies which cover the Apex No. 2 Mine permit azea have been conducted by the Colorado Division of Wildlife and Colorado-Yampa Coal Company, a nearby surface coal mine. No rare or endangered species were identified within this permit area. Land Use The land use within the permit area prior to any mining was rangeland and wildlife habitat. In the early 1900's, the first coal mining operations were opened along Trout Creek. These mines were accessed by what is now Routt County Road 29. The Apex No. 2 Mine portals and work area are constructed on the previously disturbed site of the old Apex No. I work azea. Since county road 29 was previously a mine road a specific exemption to leave the county road is in section XII of this findings document. Apex No. 2 Mine, C-81-O1 l 7 April 17, 1998