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Description of the Environment The HG Loadout is located in Routt County, approximately two miles southeast of the town of Hayden, Colorado. The Loadout can be located on the Ivfount Harris U.S. Geological Survey 7.5 Minute Map, in: T6N, R88 W (6th Principal Meridian) - Section 10 Portions of E%: - Section 14 Portions of W'/z - Section 15 Portions of E%:E%z - Section 22 Portions of NE'/. - Section 23 Portions of N'/:N'/zNW'/, Approximately 95% of the surface acreage of the proposed permit azea is owned by HGTI and the rest is leased from the State of Colorado, the Town of Hayden and private individuals. No coal is proposed to be mined within the permit area. The HG Loadout lies at approximately 6,400 feet in elevation and is situated in the bottom of the Dry Creek valley. Dry Creek crosses the permit azea. and e Land use information is found in Tab 4 and in Exhibit 4-1 of the permit application. Regional land use patterns are shown in Figure 1, Tab 4 of the permit application. Specific findings regarding land use are described in Section B, Item XI of this document. Land use in the permit azea and surrounding area is primarily agricultural, rangeland, industrial (a regional airport and Routt County maintenance facility), and wildlife habitat. Land is farmed along the northern margin of the railroad spur and south of the loadout facility, Winter wheat is the principal crop; cattle aze also grazed in the azea. Most of the disturbance associated with the construction of the loadout occurred in areas historically utilized for crop production but which were taken out of production and seeded with introduced grasses prior to construction of the loadout. Historically, grazing pressure has been heavy in the Dry Creek drainage and adjacent alkaline shrublands. Part of the permit area is lightly grazed. A variety of wildlife species use the area's rangeland and seeded cropland areas. Use by some species may decrease while the loadout and railroad spur is in operation. The Yampa Valley Airport is located one-quarter mile east of the permit area. No private dwellings are near the permit area. The loadout currently has a special use permit and is in compliance with the land use plans of both Routt County and the Town of Hayden. Postmining land use will consist of utilization for grazing and wildlife.