GENERAL53077

• Permit No: C1981041
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 12/1/1982
• Doc Name: Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance
• Permit Index Doc Type: FINDINGS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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Colorado River Alluvial Valley Floor - Findings (cont'd)
The proposed operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section.
IX. Climatological Information and Air Resources (2.04.8, 2.05.4(2)(h),
2.05.6(1), 4.17)
The outstanding feature of the climate in the vicinity of the permit area is the
aridity. Precipitation records for the Grand Junction Airport located 10 miles
west of the mine site at a similar elevation show a mean annual precipitation of
8.91 inches. The climate is characterized by moderately cold winters and warm,
dry summers. Approximately half of the precipitation occurs from November through
April.
Climatological information is provided on pages 59-61 of Volume I and pages I4-16
of Volume V of the application.
Powderhorn operates under emission permits from the Colorado Department of Health, which
are included as Exhibit N in Volume I of the application.
The operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section.
X. Topsoil (2.04.9, 2.05.3(5), 2,05.4(2)(d), 9.06)
Soils resource information found in Volumes I and VI and the topsoil salvage and
redistribution plan in Volumes I and V of the application, have been reviewed for
compliance by the Division.
Since mining at this operation began prior to the Surface Mining Control and
Reclamation Act, no topsoil was salvaged in construction of the mine benches. Top-
soil from the Ioadout area was used to build the loadout stacker pad, although a
small amount was stockpiled. The majority of the topsoil salvaged was removed from
the location of the Cameo refuse pile.
Soils in the general area are commonly high in sodium and occasionally saline. This
is reflected in the sparse vegetation which is primarily composed of salt-tolerant
species and species such as greasewood,which are commonly found growing in sodic
soils. The analyses of the stockpiled soil and the material presently on the surface
of the disturbed areas reflect the saline and sodic conditions of the surrounding
area.
Upon completion of backfilling and grading operations, topsoil will be redistributed
to a minimum depth of six inches. Prior to redistribution of the topsoil, the
graded surface will be ripped to relieve compaction and limit surface slippage.
If the applicant is able to prove to the Division that 4 feet of cover over the coal
processing waste banks (see Section XvI of this document) is not required to obtain
successful revegetation and minimize disturbance to the hydrologic balance, sufficient
soil should be available to rnplace the minimum of six inches of topsoil. However,
if the field trials show that 4 feet of cover is necessary, the applicant would have
to import soil to meet the minimum replacement depth.
Revegetation of the mine area following topsoil replacement will be difficult because
of saline and sodic soils, and Iow precipitation. However, these conditions are
similar to those found in the surrounding area. Therefore, the applicant should, with
intensive management, be able to revegetate the disturbed area to an equal cover,
production, and woody plant density as the surrounding area.
The proposed operation is in compliance with the requirements of thhis sleIction.
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