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-13- Vegetative cononunities are of two types in the area of the Maxwell Mine; an open pinyon-juniper forest/shrubland type, and a low grassland community. The pinyon-juniper type dominates the slopes above 7,200 feet while the grasslands are found on the terraces and toe slopes and in the bottom of Ciruela Canyon. The grassland type contains the dominant graminoid blue grams with several additional grasses, forbs and a sedge comprising the herbaceous component. Sage and snakeweed comprise the woody component. 7ota1 vegetative cover is moderate (18X) and productivity is moderate (565 lb/acre). The pinyon-juniper forest community is dominated by Pinyon pine and Rocky. Mountain Juniper. The understory is comprised of graminoids, forbs, and shrubby species and is much higher in species composition than the nearby grass]and. Sideoats grams, blue grams, and mountain muhly are dominant understory species. Total cover is low (10X) as is productivity (240 lb/acre). Soils in the area range from very shallow on the steep side slopes to deep, well drained looms with a dark colored surface layer in the valley bottom along the Purgatoire. River. Description of the Operation and Reclamation Plan Of the 3,138 acres to be permitted by CF&I, 51 acres will be disturbed by surface facilities. Most of this surface disturbance has already occurred. The existing operation consists of benches used for storage, office and shop buildings, railroad tracks, 1 portal, conveyors, a coal silo, an air shaft, a fan, a water tank, a parking lot, two sediment ponds, ditches, culverts, soil stockpiles, roads,.a refuse disposal area, and a development rock disposal area. Most of these facilities will experience a general expansion as the need arises. However, most of that growth is not anticipated during this 5-year permit term. Coal was removed as a result of development work at a rate of 500,000 tons per year. The projected remaining mine life is 40 years. Coal will initially be mined by continuous miners. Longwall and shortwall methods are planned for use once'the ventilation and haulage entries are complete. Only one seam, the Maxwell seam, is to be mined. During the life of the mine the workings will progress in all directions until reaching a distance from the portal of 5,250 feet south, 9,000 feet west, 12,500 feet north, and 12,250 feet east. Refuse will be generated when the coal is processed. It wi]1 then be deposited on the surface in stockpiles. Due to the continuing use of most of the surface facilities, most areas will not be cleared of structures and reclaimed until the mining is completed. When mining ceases, the portal will be sealed and backfilled. The bench areas will be graded to the approximate original contour. The disturbed areas will be topsoi]ed, seeded and mulched to establish a vegetative cover of a variety consistent with surrounding vegetation.