GENERAL46275 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

1to11.i n:; Sunris tone is contra llcd by f:opoyr,rpluJ, ISn:.(CS, frn~turc~:, and ~rli :- continuous lenticular sanrstones. Discharge of ground water occurs through numerous seeps and sptin ys in the general area, nrost of which are interniiLtenk nn rl emanate from Zocalizerl, Ion ti.cular sandstones above the "F" seam .of l:hc Upper Coal f7crnbc r. The alluvial aquifer of the North Fork is the rrro:;t si.pnifi cant occurrence of ground water in the general area, and a number of domestic ~.~c~ils are located along the river. Soils in the area include deep, moderately well drained loans and sandy loans overlaying alluvial gravels in the valley bottom, with shallow well dr~?nerl soils on the steep mountain sideslopes. 14oderatelu sloping uplands and :a1.(ey sideslopes on the tablelands to the south of the river arc characterizer7 bu predominately loamy surface soils overluiny sandstone, with soil thickne.:,es of over 60 inches in depressions and swales. Prominent vegetation types in the general area, as identified by the applicant, include wet mixed shrub, dry mixed shrub, douglas fir, 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. l~nse stands of service berry (Amelanchier alnifolia) and gamhel oak (puercus gambelii) dominate the tyke. The riparian type, which occurs along the North Fork in the vicinity of thr_ mine is dominated by an herbaceous community, with shrubs such as willow (salix spp.) and hawthorne (crataegus son.) growing immediately adjacent to the river. Stands of cottonwood (POpulus angustifolia) are comurron in undisturbed rip.;r.ian areas. Numerous wildlife species inhabit the general area. 7'he most prominent J:i ~~ garce species, mule deer and elk, utilize the mountain shrub habitat in and adjacent to the permit area throughout the year. The IJOrthern Bald Eag1c i:~ a winter resident along the North Fork, and is the only rare or endangered ~~ildlife species in the area. The North Fork from Paonia Reservoir downstream live »riles to Somerset is stocked by the Division of Wildlife with catchabZe rainbc~~ trout and supports an estimated 2,000 angler days per year, below Somerset to the confluence with the Gunnison, the fishery is Zess important, with rour_rlr fis7r making up a larger proportion of the fish population. Description of the Operations and Reclamation Plan The Bear mine is a room and pillar underground operation, currently producing 250,000 to 300,000 tons of coal per year from the "C" seam, in Federal Leasn No. D-049569. Presently, the coal mined by Bear Coal Company is tra nsJ:o rt~~d from the underground workings via the No. 1 and No. 2 portals. Ffining at the No. 1 and No. 2 is being phased out and operations will cease in June of 1982. Surface facilities will be removed and the 19-acre disturbed area will be re- graded, ripped, topsoilcrl and revc9ctatcd. The portals will be scaled and the face-up areas backfilled to a stable confiyuration. Feclarnation will entoiL the removal of all roads and culverts and the reestablishment of original rL ainage patterns. Reclamation, includiny topsoiling and seeding, will be comp ]e to-; by the fall of 1982. The proposed Bear No. 3 operation involves the renovation of the abanr]nnr~~i Edwards Portal, and the mining of the "C' seam in the adjacent Feder,r 1. Crr;rt Ipase No. Ir05250Z. JI sediment control system, including a sediment pond, dra.in,u,e ditches and culverts will be constructed prior to any development acti v.i ter :rt the proposed 8-acre surface disturbance area. Topsoil will be salvaged and stockpiled on site to be used in final recl~rnation. 7'•~cilities ronstrac-tirnr