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No known non-coal projects are planned in the area, therefore no impacts will occur as a result of the National King Coal t4ine. PALEONTOLOGY It is not known at this time whether significant paleontological re- sources exist on the proposed lease area. A search of geologic literature (see selected references) and personal contacts has revealed that no significant vertebrate fossils remains have been found in the Menefee formation. It appears that the Menefee formation in the lease tract area would be classified as Class II'. MINERAL RESOURCES The area is in private surface ownership. All minerals except coal are in private ownership. Coal is the only mineral known to be of economic significance at this tine in the area. The Menefee formation, the middle member of the Mesa Verde Group, is the primary coal bearing formation in the Hesperus area.. There are two mineable seams, the Upper and Lower members of the Menefee formation. Only the upper seam has been developed by National King Coal, Inc., in their present lease P- 058300. The upper seam has a thickness varying between 66-74 inches. The over- burden varies from 300 feet at the northern edge of the application area to approximately 50 feet at the southern boundary of the application area. SOILS The soils range from shallow (less than 20 inches), poorly developed units derived from interbedded sandstone and shale (Lithic Us tic Tor- riorthents) to deep (greater than 40 inches) aeolian derivatives (Us to- r llic Haplargids). The shallow soils are associated with numerous rock outcrops. Detailed soil descriptions are given in the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board Permit for Federal Coal Lease P-058300, April 1980. The area within the application area does not consist of prime or unique farmlands, or alluvial valley floors. An alluvial valley floor may exist below the lease area where Pine Gulch merges into Hay Gulch. 14