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-7- <br />Climatic conditions in the area are typified by heavy snowfall and cold <br />temperatures in the winter months and moderate summertime temperatures. <br />Freezing temperatures can occur during any month of the year resulting in a <br />short growing season. Average annual precipitation is approximately 16 <br />inches. Less than 20% of this occurs during the growing season months of <br />June, July and August. <br />Mollisols, Aridisols and Entisols are the soil orders found within the permit <br />area. The disturbed mine area is dominated by t4ollisols and Aridisols. These <br />soils range from deep, well drained looms to shallow, excessively drained <br />sandy looms. Deeper, better drained sails are encountered along the toes of <br />ridges with soil depth decreasing with elevation along the slope. No toxicity <br />problems have been identified within the disturbed area. Major soil <br />restrictions relate to slope steepness, erosion potential, depth to rock, and <br />permeability. All soils found within the disturbed area fall within the SCS <br />land use capability classification of grazing land. Erosion potential appears <br />to be the most limiting factor. Although these soils are all classed as <br />grazing land, they are a good source of plant growth medium with restrictions <br />being physical rather than chemical. Redistributed soils are capable of <br />establishing a diverse, self-sustaining vegetative cover. <br />Vegetation in the vicinity of the mine is characterized by four major plant <br />communities: Big sagebrush, Alkali sagebuush, Meadow Hay and Brome Hay. The <br />Big sagebrush is the dominant type and it is found throughout the permit area <br />on a variety of slopes and aspects. It is dominated by Big sagebrush and <br />snowberry. The understory is dominated by wheatgrasses and arrowleaf <br />balsamroot. The Meadow Hay and Brome Hay vegetation types are located in the <br />lowlands. Both are dominated by grasses. Brome haylands are characterized by <br />predominately introduced species. Alkali sagebrush dominates the overstory in <br />that community and, understory is principally Prairie Junegrass and <br />Letterman's Needlegrass. <br />Numerous wildlife species inhabit the general area. The most predominate are <br />elk, mule deer and grouse. Other wildlife species include: black bear, <br />cougar, rabbit, coyote, bobcat, red fox, rodents, bats, skunks waterfowl, <br />amphibians and reptiles. <br />No known cultural or historic resources exist within the proposed permit <br />area. This was based on a literature search of the area. <br />Land use within the proposed permit area is pastureland. Five pastures have <br />been affected by mining. Management practices include regulated grazing and <br />the cutting of hay. Most of the proposed permit area has been affected by <br />mining in the past and either been or is in the process of being reclaimed. <br />Description of the Operations and Reclamation Pl <br />There are two general areas discussed in this permit application, the Energy <br />Mine No. 3 surface mine and the Middle Creek portal/pit area. Colorado Yampa <br />Coal Company's proposes to surface mine the remaining coal at Energy Mine No. <br />3 and reclaim the Middle Creek portal/pit area. Surface mining will be <br />