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P C. The leasing of this tract for underground mining was not pursued far the following reasons: 1. \ot enough information was available concerning [he recover- able coal reserves below the 300 foot level. 2. The knoc:n recoverable coal reserves within the tract are not sufficient to economically justify a company rn develop act underground mining operation. 3. Technical expertise is somewhat lacking for underground mining, methods involving steeply dipping coal seams. The long mall mining method may be applicable in some instances, but when the seam dips much beyond 30 degrees, it is considered unsaCc given present capabilities. ~J ..n ;.~ Section III - Affected Em~ironment A. Cli.^..ate - The climate of the area is characterized by long, cold winters, short, cool summers, loca precipitation, and a short growing season. The average annual temperature at Walden, Colorado, is 37.1°F. .The average temperature of the warmest month, July, is 58.9°F ., and of the coldest month, January, is 16.0°F. 1'he averaf;c. annual precipitation at [Jalden is 10 inches. Precipitation amounts increase in the area as the elevation increases. since Che site is at a slightly higher elevation, the precipitation is estimated to ~, be betcaeen 11 and 12 inches per annum. Approximately 50% of tlic precipitation occurs as snow. The average annual frost-free pcriu.l is 40 days. The prevailing winds are westerly in direction, with a moderate velocity. The peak wind period is generally between 12:00 noo~i and 6:00 Y.M. Inversions are a commonly occurring weather phenomenon in \orth Park and can be expected to occur approximately SO% of tl,c time, generally during the morning. In summer, the inversions will disperse by late morning, but .in the winter they may remain for several days. The low precipitation, short growing season, and almost continuous winds are important factors to oonsider in prescribing ve,rctation reestablishment procedures. A study is currently wtderway on re- claimed surface mined lands, taking into consideration c]imaCic limitations. The study is located on the Kerr 'Mine and ir; part of. the McCallum Energy Mineral Reclamation Inventory and Analysis (~II2IA) study. B. Air Quality - Information frou: the Colorado Dcpa.,.:..~nt of Crnltl,, Division of Air Pollution, states there is no site speci.iic air quality data available. The only information available is f,n- Region 12 of which Jackson County is a pa rt .~ The air duality fnr Fegion 12 meets state standards o,i all counts of a].1 known pol l.u taut r.. 8