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Stipulation 18 was satisfied on June 18, 1991 when the results from a topsoil survey were submitted to the Division. Stipulation 20 was addressed in Technical Revision 08, approving a refuse pile design on January 14, 1992. Stipulation 22 has been merged with Stipulation No. 24 and addresses the bond increase prior to the construction of the temporary refuse pile. In May, 1991, Coal Ridge No. 1 underwent a succession of operators from the New Castle Energy Corporation to NCIG Financial, Inc. The Permit Revision No. 1 application also included the addition of a rail loadout to the permit area. The Division, in a decision later upheld by the Board, determined that the timing of the proposed loadout submittal denied the public a right to full review of the proposal. The loadout was therefore excluded from the approval of Permit Revision No. 1. The Findings Document for that Revision stated that New Castle Energy Corporation, now NCIG Financial, Inc., would be required to submit a separate permit revision for the loadout. Permit Revision No. 02, which added the loadout facility, was submitted by NCEC Financial on February 26, 1991 and was approved on September 4, 1991. Description of the Environment The Coal Ridge No. 1 Mine is located in Garfieid County approximately seven miles west of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, within the Colorado River Basin. The mine can be found on the USGS Storm King quadrangle map. The mine is just south of the Colorado River, with the surface facilities located on alluvial/colluvial fan terraces approximately 150 feet above the river. Only small ephemeral drainages are located within the permit area. There are thick alluvial bodies present along the Colorado River in the vicinity of the proposed mine. This alluvium is often used as a major source of agricultural water for the region. The mine plan area encompasses 2,525 acres. Of this area, 20 acres have been disturbed on the surface, and approximately 179 acres may be affected by underground operations. The mine elevation is approximately 5,800 feet. The climate is semi-arid with an annual precipitation of 16 inches. Average monthly precipitation varies little throughout the year. Summers are hot, marked by very low humidity and cool nights. Winters are cold, generally snow-free, but with frequent blizzard conditions. Ground water occurs in both bedrock and alluvial deposits in the vicinity of the proposed mining operation. The potential of the Williams Fork strata to produce water within the area of the proposed mine is greatly limited by the extreme dip of the rock strata which results in prohibitive drilling depths within a short distance. The vegetation within the vicinity of the mine is characterized as Pinon-Juniper sagebrush, mountain shrub, and irrigated cropland. The area is used for limited grazing and wildlife habitat. Wildlife that inhabit the area include large and small game animals and numerous birds and small mammals. Soils in the area are characterized as moderately deep to deep, well-drained loams with a dark colored surface layer. Variability in the -5-