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-:' 3- <br />Second, in order for the Division to verify that topsoil stripping has been completed <br />following the approved plan, Wyominq_ Fuel Company must strip topsoil at least 50 feet <br />in advance of the active pit. <br />In order to find the proposed operation in compliance, the following stipulations <br />are necessary: <br />WYOMING FUEL COhfPANY h1UST STRIP ALL SUITABLE TOPSOIL FROh1 THE AREA OF POND <br />NUMBER 9 TO BE COVERED B]' 7'HE IMPOUNDMENT OF T!lE IO-YEAR, 29-IfOUR STORM EVENT, <br />•. DUE TO THE ABUNDANCE OF THE "UNNAh1ED ALLUVI Uhl" SOIL TS'PE IN THAT AREA, AND <br />THE DIVISION'S CONCERN THAT TFII.S RESOURCE CO1.7LD SERVE AN IMPORTANT FUNCTION <br />ZN CONTROLLING THE POTENTIAL FOR SALT CONTAh17NATZON OF TF1E REC LA IAfED SURFACE. <br />IN ADDITION, THE PERMIT APPLICATION h1 UST BE REVISED, [/.ITFFZN GO DAYS OF PERMIT <br />ISSUANCE, TO REFLECT THIS CHANGE. <br />IN ORDER FOR THE DIVISION TO VERIFY THAT TOPSOIL .STRIPPING AA.S BEEN COh1P LETED <br />ACCORDING TO TFIE APPROVED PhAN, W}'Oh1ING F(1EL COh1PAN1' AfUST STRIP TOPSOIL AT <br />LEAST FIFTY FEET IN ADVANCE OF TIIE ACTIVE PIT. <br />With the acceptance of these stipulations, the proposed operation is in compliance <br />with topsoil requirements. <br />XI. Vegetation (2.09.10, 2.05.4(2)(c), 2.07.0(2)(n), 9.15) <br />Pre-Mining Vegetative Findin qs <br />Environment <br />The Wyoming Fuel Company Canadian Strip mine is located on the eastern edge of North <br />Park, approximately 12 miles east of Walden, Colorado. The natural vegetation of <br />the mine area is characteristic of the high elevation (a hove 7500'), low precipi- <br />tation (less than 15" per annum), open parks found in the RocY,y Mountain region. <br />Natural plant communities can be characterized as low shrub, dominated Ly species of <br />sagebrush (Artemesia sp.) and rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus sp.). Isolated pockets of <br />trees may be found in protected microsites with a consistently available water supply. <br />Draws and washes which are subirriyated show a more diverse flora which is suited to <br />more mesic conditions. Rushes, sedges (Carex sp., Juncus sp.) and wild irises (Iris <br />sp.) can be utilized to pinpoint these small areas. <br />The Wyoming Fuel mine has identified ti.~o major plant communities: Big Sagebrush, ana <br />Alkali Sagebrush. Big Sagebrush communities are found on tl~e south and southeast <br />facing slopes in the permit area, while the Alkali Sagebrush communities are found on <br />the north and northeast facing slopes. In the center of the permit area thez'e is a <br />northeast-southwest trending r7raw which has vegetation evidencing subirrigation. <br />Though this area is not classified by the applicant as a distinct community type, it <br />differs from the typic Big Sagebrush association ire composition and physiognomy. <br />Vegetation Information (2.09.10) <br />Wyoming Fuel Company has provided baseline vegetation on pages 22-23, and Appendix F <br />of the permit application. Two communities, Big Sagebrush and Alkali .Sagebrush were <br />sampled and described. Wyoming Fuel Company has elected to utilize reference areas for <br />evaluation of revegetation success. Two reference areas (one for each community type) <br />were established, sampled, and described. <br />