Laserfiche WebLink
MINING PLAN EXHIBIT D (CONT) <br />progresses but since it will be entirely on the mine reclamation is <br />assured. Initially it will traverse the southern slope up to where <br />mining will begin. As this area is lowered to the same elevation <br />of the County Road, as shown on the Mining Plan Map, it will be at <br />the same elevation as the mine floor. <br />GEOLOGIC SETTING <br />The affected lands are located on ridge of volcanic breccia of <br />the Upper Cretaceous age, Windy Gap volcanic member. It is a brown <br />to greenish-brown to gray or purple in color typically found along <br />the Colorado River. Research indicates that it can be from 600 to <br />1,100 feet thick. <br />Review of USGS map GQ-1763 indicates the operator will encoun- <br />ter primarily a volcanic breccia; interbedded volcanic conglomerate <br />and sandstone with rare flows of latite to trachyte porphyry. On <br />this site the material appears to be part of a larger horizontal <br />bed of hard rock over laying the Pierre Shale. <br />SOILS AND OVERBURDEN <br />See the soils and vegetation information for the soils report <br />prepared by the Natural Resources Conservation Service regarding <br />the soils on this site. The soil information prepared by the NRCS <br />is not site specific, it describes in general terms the nature of <br />the soils found at this site. <br />Soils on the proposed mine site tend to be fairly uniform even <br />thought he topography varies considerable. This site contains 3 <br />types of soil according to the Soils Survey for Grand County; the <br />Rock-outcrop - Cryoborolla, complex - Map symbol 68, the Youga <br />Loam- 6 to 158 slopes - Map symbol 94 and Youga Loam- 15 to 458 <br />slopes - Map symbol 95. The Rock-outcrop - Cryoborolla soils <br />contains some soils that may be salvageable. On the other hand the <br />Youga Loams will have most of the value for reclamation. The Youga <br />Loams makeup approximately 408 of the soils on the site. This soil <br />is described as deep, well drained varying in depth from 10 to 60 <br />inches. On this site they occupy most of the swales and depres- <br />sions that are underlain by the rock that will be mined. Origins <br />of the soils are glacial drift and colluvium from mixed rock <br />sources. Overlying the.hard rock base is a thin layer of soil that <br />varies from zero to 10 inches, averaging 8 inches overall. The <br />upper 6 to 10 inches will be salvaged for us in reclamation. <br />Underlaying the soil is a cobbly clay loam or loam, varying from 5 <br />to 33 inches deep and can be used for root zone over the hard rock <br />if needed. This soil overburden material will be used to make <br />4 <br />