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requirements of Rule 4.05.6. A small in-line sediment trap will act to capture sediment from <br />high-flow events in the east ditch. The west pond receives drainage from the bench area through a <br />ditch/culver[ system and acts as the primary sediment control device for the disturbed area. It also <br />discharges directly to the alluvium of Hay Gulch. <br />Information on surface water hydrology can be found in Sections 2.04.7, 2.05.3 and 2.05.6 and Maps <br />C-4 and C-9 of the permit application. <br />Climate <br />The climatic regime is classified assemi-arid, chazacterized by hot summers, cold winters, and a <br />limited amount of precipitation each yeaz. The prevailing winds aze from the southwest and west. <br />The site has an average annual precipitation rate varying from 15-19 inches. The growing season in <br />the azea varies depending on elevation and exposure with a maximum of 96 frost-free days. <br />Soils <br />Soils found within the permit boundary vary geatly depending on slope, aspect and topogaphic <br />position. Basically, two soil orders (Entisolls and Aridisols) occupy the site, as well as one rock <br />outcrop complex. Deeper soils aze found along the valley bottoms and the plateau top with shallow <br />soils associated with rock outcrops along the side slopes. Both soil orders have an ustic moisture <br />regime. Soils in the disturbed area aze non-existent, since all surface disturbance took place prior to <br />the enactment of any statutory reclamation requirements for salvaging topsoil. An azea at the upper <br />reaches of the east drainage azea has been identified as a topsoil bon•ow area with approximately <br />17,000 cubic yazds of available material for reclamation activities. Appendix 9(4)(a) contains the <br />soil analysis performed by CSU soils lab. <br />Vegetation <br />Vegetation is non-existent in the bench area due to past disturbances. Over the undisturbed permit <br />and affected azeas, vegetation is distributed inresponse tomicro-climatic influences. The dominant <br />vegetation in the azea is a mountain shrub community. Gambles Oak is the most prominent shrub <br />along the side slopes, forming dense stands. On the plateau top, the oak tends to grow in clumps <br />with open stands of grasses interspersed. A juniper piiion community is found on the more xeric <br />southern slopes with scattered individuals of Douglas Fir-Ponderosa Pine encountered on more <br />mesic northern slopes. The valley bottom of Hay Gulch is occupied by introduced pasture. <br />Wildlife <br />A variety of wildlife species utilize the permit and surrounding areas. The Colorado Division of <br />Wildlife has identified the general azea of the mine site as critical deer winter range. Since no new <br />surface disturbance is planned, the effect to wildlife will not increase during the course of mining. <br />Wildlife use will increase upon completion of successful reclamation. <br />Prime Farmland <br />The NRCS and the Division have made a negative determination of prime farmland in the azea. <br />6 <br />