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SECTION 2.04.6 <br />GEOLOGY DESCRIPTION <br />The physiography and regional geology including structure and stratigraphy are discussed in detail <br />in Section 2.04.5. The following site specific geologic information is presented for the New Horizon <br />2 mine. This section was written for permit versions that pre-date this renewal. While the technical <br />portion remains valid, the permit boundary is different. Accordingly, references in this section to <br />a study area are obsolete; the study area is essentially the same as the current permit boundary <br />(as shown in Map 2.03.4-1 ). <br />Site Specific Geology <br />For a period of more than 23 years, Peabody Coal Company (the predecessor to WFC) gathered <br />and analyzed detailed information on the geology of New Horizon 1 Mine located about one mile <br />north of the New Horizon 2 permit area. This information included a program of high density <br />exploration drilling, geologic mapping, topographic mapping, aerial photography, field <br />investigations, and ground water quantity and quality data. A comprehensive description and <br />. analysis of this information in addition to site specific New Horizon 2 data will provide background <br />information forground water and surface water hydrology, soils, and revegetation sections covered <br />later in this permit application package. <br />Topoaraghv. WFC's New Horizon 2 permit area is located one-half to one and one-half miles west <br />of Nucla in Montrose County, Colorado. In relation to regional drainage systems, the study area <br />is located in the upper reaches of Calamity and Tuttle Draws, tributaries to the San Miguel River. <br />Surface elevations within the permit area range from a high of 5,775 feet (MSL) in the northwest <br />part near the Calamity-Tuttle Draw divide, to a low of about 5,555 feet (MSL) in the southwest part <br />along Calamity Draw (see Map 2.04.6-1). Total topographic relief for the permit area is 220 feet <br />(MSL). <br />Topographic features within the permit area include gentle southwest facing slopes; gentle rolling <br />upland hills and ridges; old terraces, benches, and mesas; and shallow drains (ephemeral) and <br />sloughs which feed Tuttle Draw (perennial). <br />• Revised 27 Aug 2002 2 <br />