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flow along the dip of the strata (northeast) and some of the localized lenticular sandstones <br />dischazge in the form of springs north of the mine. <br />Within the permit area aze portions of the Hayden Gulch, Dowden Gulch and Dry Creek drainage <br />basins. The majority of the mine azea occurs within the Hayden Gulch drainage. These basins <br />contain ephemera] streams, which respond predominantly to spring runoff from snowmelt. <br />Hayden and Dowden Gulch aze tributaries to the Williams Fork River, which is perennial in <br />nature. <br />The region is characterized by a semi-arid steppe climatic regime. The prevailing wind is from <br />the west and southwest and average annual precipitation is 16.1 inches. The growing season in <br />the region varies from 28 days to 94 days; the time span depends greatly upon the elevation of a <br />given area. <br />Soils at the mine site are of the order mollisol and suborder boron. These aze soils formed in <br />cool climates, which are characterized by a very dark colored base-rich surface layer. Vaziability <br />of the characteristics of the soils on the permit area is primarily due to slope, aspect and <br />topographic position. Deeper soils are located in the valley bottoms and footslopes while the <br />shallower soils occupy the upslopes. <br />Vegetation is also distributed in response to the micro-climatic influences of the north-south <br />trending ridge and valley complex within the area. Sagebrush communities dominate the richer, <br />deeper soils of the valley bottoms and gentle slopes. Oak communities dominate the generally <br />drier south and west facing slopes in the area, and often intergrade into the other communities in <br />the form of patches of dense oak growth. Aspen dominated communities are found in clumps in <br />small hillside swales and gentle north slopes in the permit areas; these areas are characterized by <br />amore mesic moisture regime and more fertile soils. The remaining mountain shrub can be <br />subdivided into two distinguishable components; communities dominated by chokecherry, and <br />communities dominated by serviceberry. Serviceberry communities are found dominating steep <br />south facing slopes in the southern portion of the mine permit azea. These aeeas are chazacterized <br />by a relatively xeric moisture regime and poorly developed soils receiving large amounts of high <br />intensity solar radiation. Chokecherry communities are found on the gently sloped hill tops in <br />the azea. These communities intergrade with the aspen, sage, and oak communities. <br />Description of the Operation and Reclamation Plans <br />All mining and reclamation operations have ceased at the mine site. Mining operations had begun <br />in 1978 and ceased in 1986 when market conditions prompted a shutdown. Five seams were <br />mined using an area strip mine method. On average, 500,000 tons of coal were mined each yeaz <br />from 1979 through 1986. Coal was hauled to the Hayden Gulch loadout, which was eventually <br />sold in June of 1993. No coal processing took place. Only the A horizon of topsoil was salvaged <br />due to the sufficient availability of the topsoil. A more detailed description of the mining <br />operations can be found in the January 23, 1987 Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance <br />for the Permit Renewal No. 1. <br />4 <br />