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Soil Characteristics and Distribution. Overall, the soils found in the proposed permit area are <br />relatively deep and fairly well-drained. Effective rooting depth vazies from two to sixty inches <br />within the azea. The deepest soils yielding the greatest rooting depths occur in valleys and on the <br />leewazd sides of ridges. Soil reaction is slightly acid to moderately alkaline in the permit azea <br />with the exception of small scattered areas where substrata are saline. These small azeas have <br />probably formed in place from weathered sodic shales. <br />Vegetation Communities. Vegetation communities in the permit azea range from an upland <br />mountain shrub community to cottonwood-willow communities in the riparian zone next to the <br />Williams Fork and Yampa Rivers. Juniper or big sagebrush communities dominate more xeric <br />sites throughout the permit area. Lands disturbed by mining are upland big sagebrush and <br />mountain shrub communities, croplands, and previously mined lands. The croplands are <br />previously mined lands. There are two types of croplands: 1) irrigated hayfields in the fertile <br />river bottom areas, and 2) dryland wheat, found on cleared hillsides which were once sage- <br />dominated. Several azeas disturbed by former mining operations are within the disturbed azeas. <br />Wildlife. Wildlife habitat in the permit area is diverse. It is used extensively by mule deer, elk <br />and pronghorn antelope. Known predators include badger, cougar, coyote, red Fox and bobcat. <br />Small game and furbeazing mammals include the cottontail rabbit, white tailedjackrabbit, <br />raccoon, beaver, muskrat, striped skunk and weasel. Many species of birds are also found within <br />the permit boundary. Of special interest are various species of waterfowl, raptors (including the <br />golden and bald eagles), the sandhill crane, Columbian sharptail grouse and the sage grouse. <br />Fish species in the Williams Fork River, within the disturbed area, include vazious suckers and <br />minnows, mottled scuplin, rainbow trout and mountain whitefish. <br />Cultural and Historic Resources. There are 31 known cultural and historic resource sites within <br />the permit area. <br />Land Uses. Land uses within the proposed surface disturbed azea are cropland, pastureland and <br />rangeland/wildlife habitat. Mining has occurred within the permit area since the 1930s. Much of <br />the area has been previously disturbed by surface and/or underground mining activities. The <br />Eagle No. 5 Mine has been in existence since 1971. <br />Summary of the Mine Oaeration Plan <br />Current Operational Status. Operations at the Eagle Mine Complex were placed in temporary <br />cessation on December 3, 1995 due to market conditions. Currently, only maintenance and <br />hydrologic monitoring activities are being conducted. The Eagle Mine Complex consist of three <br />underground mines, the Nos. 5, 6, and 9, and a reclaimed surface mine known as the Williams <br />Fork Strip Pit No. 2. The No. 5 portal was permanently sealed in 1997 and partially backfilled. <br />The coal storage azea, surface conveyors, silos and No. 5 yard and warehouse area remain intact. <br />The Mine No. SA portals were sealed in 2003. The SA portal ventilation fan was idled and <br />awaits resumption of mining activities. The Eagle No. 9 Mine permanently ceased mining <br />activities in 1985. The portal area of the No. 9 Mine is being used for a coal processing waste <br />pile, as approved in the permit application. <br />Permit Area, Disturbed Area, and Production Volumes. The permit azea covers approximately <br />6,363 acres. The disturbed area totals 422.0 acres. The surface disturbance includes three existing <br />portal azeas; the No. 5 Portals, the No. SA Portals, and the No. 9 Portals. Access to the No. 6 <br />10 <br />