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recorded in August, to lows of-27°F, recorded in Januazy and February. Annual precipitation averages 18.04 inches, with a maximum of 2.36 inches in August and a minimum of 0.98 inches in November. The average snowfall is 65.3 inches, with the highest amount in January(21.2 inches), followed byDecember (14.8 inches). The average wind direction is generally from the west, with an average speed of less than one knot. Vegetation The pemtit azea consists of a mosaic ofpinon juniper, mountain shrub, old field and cultivated dryland wheat communities. The mountain shrub community is found primarily on the lower slopes and drainages and is dominated by Gambel's oak. The pinon juniper community occurs on higher azeas and in locations with shallow soils. In addition to pinon pine and Utah juniper, other common shrubs include Utah serviceberry, Gambel's oak, true mountain mahogany, cliff Fendlerbush and squawapple. Understory plants are relatively sparse. Dominant shrubs in the old field community are rabbitbrush, broom snakeweed, big sagebrush and true mountain mahogany. The dominant grasses aze cheatgrass and a wheatgrass hybrid. Soils The soils within the permit azea consist of shallow to very deep clays and clay loams which aze suitable as a plant growth medium. The largest soils quantities will consist of a Falfa clay loam and some Zyme-Rock outcrop complex. The Ustollic Haplargrids Series can be salvaged, however, it occurs sporadically in pockets of sandstone and is sandy, gravelly, and cobbly. Some Ustic torriorthents soils exist but only in depths of 3 inches or less and will be diluted with broken sandstone and therefore cannot be reliably stripped. Wildlife and Land Use There has been no grazing on the site since 1979. The current land uses aze industrial (gravel operations), dryland wheat farming and wildlife use. The permit has been approved for the entire site to become Industrial, Commercial, and Residential as La Plata County has approved the initial plans for the development of the Ewing Mesa subdivision. The Colorado Division of Wildlife considers the proposed permit azea to be a part of the region's critical winter range for deer and elk. Description of the Reclamation Plan Reclamation The reclamation plan separately addresses the three azeas to be reclaimed, 1) the North Pit, 2) the haul road to the North Pit, the Permanently Reclaimed Spoils Area, and Topsoil Stockpile # 2, and 3) reconstmction of Cazbon Junction Canyon. North Pit Reclamation Coal stripping occurred at this location during the operation of the Cazbon Junction Mine. Current disturbance consists of the exposed sandstone layer forming the base of the coal seam that was mined, a relatively flat bench area, and adjacent downspoiled fill below the bench. Reclamation of the North Pit involves the following tasks