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average annual precipitation is approximately 15 inches. Precipitation is <br />evenly distributed throughout the year. The mean annual temperature is 41.8°F <br />in Hayden, Colorado. Wind flow is predominantly from the east-southeast <br />(down-valley). The growing season ranges from 60 to 70 days in length. <br />Soils in the vicinity of the mine were classified in the Mollisol and Entisol <br />orders. Soil surface horizons were generally loamy or sandy loam and varied <br />from 16 to 60 inches in depth. Steep south and east facing slopes within the <br />permit area had more weakly developed and shallow soils, with parent material <br />between 10 and 30 inches. <br />Vegetation communities in the vicinity of the mine are present in response to <br />a number of abiotic factors such as soil depth and type, aspect, elevation, <br />and availability of moisture. Communities identified include <br />sagebrush/grassland, two types of mountain shrub, aspen, Douglas fir, <br />boxelder, grassland, wet meadow, and cottonwood. <br />Description of the Reclamation Plan <br />The permit area for the Meadows No. 1 mine contains 199 acres of which <br />123 acres were disturbed. When operating, the Meadows No. 1 Mine was a <br />surface area-strip mine which produced a maximum of 120,000 tons per year. <br />The coal mined was primarily that of the Pinnacle seam within the Iles <br />Formation, with some additional salvage of "rider" seams exposed during <br />overburden removal activities. <br />Currently, the mine is undergoing permanent reclamation. Therefore, no mining <br />activities or additional disturbance are proposed under this permit term. <br />Commencing in 1983 the pit area was backfilled, graded, re-topsoiled, seeded <br />and mulched. In addition the haul road has been decommissioned to its <br />post-mining land use configuration as approved by the Division and the Mined <br />Land Reclamation Board. The pit area has undergone Phase I bond release <br />whereby 60 percent of the bond liability was released. The haul road has <br />undergone final bond release whereby 100 percent of the bond liability was <br />released. <br />During the upcoming five-year permit term, Sun Coal Co. anticipates only <br />activities occurring on site relating to revegetation monitoring and <br />augmentation, routine maintenance of sediment control facilities, and the <br />other activities as required to further reclamation success. <br />Reclamation work remaining to be done on site includes removal of some <br />remaining facilities and the sediment ponds. Facilities area reclamation is <br />scheduled for the 1993 and 1994 field seasons. Sedimentation pond removal <br />scheduling will be evaluated at a later date. <br />The reclamation plan being implemented is designed to establish a post-mining <br />land use of rangeland and wildlife habitat for the pit area and light <br />industrial for the haul road. Pursuant to 2.07.6(2)(1), the Division has <br />approved of this post-mining land use. <br />Water Rights and Usage <br />There are ~wo water wells on site for which Sun Coal Company retains rights. <br />The wells dill remain for the landowner or will be sealed. The water supply <br />in these wells is not currently being used. <br />-6- <br />