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<br /> <br />Ground water occurs in both bedrock and alluvial deposits in the vicinity of <br />the proposed mining operation, The potential of the Williams Fork strata to <br />produce water within the area of the proposed mine is greatly limited by the <br />extreme dip of the rock strata which results in prohibitive drilling depths in <br />a short distance. <br />There are thick alluvial bodies present along the Colorado River in the <br />vicinity of the proposed mine. This alluvium is often used as a major source <br />of agricultural water for the region. <br />The Coal Ridge No. 1 Mine is located within the Colorado River Basin. The <br />mine is directly adjacent to the Colorado River, with the surface facilities <br />located on alluvial/colluvial fan terraces approximately 150 feet above the <br />river, Only small ephemeral drainages are located within the actual permit <br />area. <br />The vegetation within the vicinity of the mine is characterized as <br />pinyon-juniper, sagebrush, mountain shrub, and irrigated cropland. The area <br />is used for limited grazing and wildlife habitat. Wildlife that inhabit the <br />area include large and small game animals and numerous birds and small <br />mammals. Soils in the area are characterized as moderately deep to deep <br />well-drained foams with a dark colored surface layer. Variability in the <br />characteristics of the soils in the area is primarily due to slope and <br />topography. Deeper soils are located in the valley bottoms and at the foot of <br />slopes while the shallower soils occupy the steeper side slopes. <br />The mine elevation is approximately 5,800 feet. The climate is semi-arid with <br />an annual precipitation~of 16 inches. Average monthly precipitation varies <br />little throughout the year. summers are hot, marked by very low humidity and <br />cool nights. Winters are cold, generally snow-free, but with frequent <br />blizzard conditions. <br />Description of the Operation and Reclamation Plans <br />A description of the proposed hydraulic mining operation can be found in the <br />original permit, however, active operations ceased before the entries had <br />reached the coal seams intended for mining and the mine never became <br />operational . <br />The reclamation plan for the disturbance contained in the permit term will <br />include removing the structures, sealing the portals, regrading the portal and <br />surface facilities areas to approximate original contour, topsoiling the <br />regraded areas, and revegetating with a mix of native grasses, fortis, and <br />shrubs. <br />The sediment control structures will be the last features to be reclaimed at <br />the mine. They will not be removed until revegetation success standards have <br />been met on the reclaimed area and runoff from the area meets applicable State <br />and Federal water quality standards. The sediment control structures will <br />then be regraded, topsoiled, and seeded following the same procedures as for <br />the surface facilities area. <br />-5- <br />