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<br />generally very good, with a low sulfur content and good coking qualities in many of the seams. <br />Due to parting and splits in the seams, much of the coal mined in the region requires washing <br />prior to loadout and shipment. <br />The Purgatoire River flows through the area and is the major stream that drains the region. Its <br />headwaters are in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range to the west and the Spanish Peaks to the <br />northwest. The North Fork of the Purgatoire drains the Spanish Peaks area, the Middle Fork <br />drains the area west of Stonewall, Colorado, and the South Fork of the Purgatoire drains the <br />areas south of Highway l2 into New Mexico to the south. The Purgatoire River drains 404 <br />square miles above its confluence with Lorencito Canyon. The United States Geological <br />Survey (USGS) has operated two stream gauging stations in the vicinity; site 07124050 at <br />Stonewall, Colorado and site 07124200 at Madrid, Colorado. The Stonewall site drains 57 <br />square miles and the Madrid site, above Trinidad Reservoir, drains 505 square miles. <br />Numerous perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral streams drain to the Purgatoire between these <br />two sites. <br />Surface water is characterized as a calcium/sodium bicarbonate water, neutral to slightly <br />alkaline, with low hardness. pH ranges from 6.15 to 8.8 and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) <br />ranges from 50-650 mg/1. <br />Ground water occurrence in the region can best be described as limited. Consolidated bedrock <br />aquifers generally have a low hydraulic conductivity and a low storativity, rendering bedrock <br />aquifers unusable for sources of economic water. Alluvial groundwater is present in the major <br />alluvial valleys of the region and is used for domestic purposes associated with ranching <br />activities. <br />Gruund water quality is variable, but can generally be described as fair quality. Alluvial water <br />is suitable for most uses, where TDS levels are not elevated. Bedrock water quality is fair from <br />shallow aquifers, but degrades with depth and would not generally be suitable for domestic use. <br />Lands in Las Animas County are classified and divided into zoning districts. There are two <br />zoning districts within the Lorencito Canyon permit area; the Agricultural District and the Rural <br />Residential District. Underground and strip mines are a conditional use of these zoning districts <br />and require a special use permit. <br />Population is sparse in the region, with the vast majority of residents living along the Purgatoire <br />River and Highway l2. Ranching is the main focus for many of the residents, although recently <br />an increase in summer residents has occurred due to development and sale of ranchettes in the <br />area. Big game hunting in the region, particulazly trophy elk hunting, is also an important land <br />use and source of income to many of the local ranchers and outfitters. <br />Permit Area <br />The Lorencito Canyon mine is situated on 3142 acres of private land southeast of the town of <br />Weston, Colorado. The 7.5 minute series topographic map of the Little Pine Canyon <br />