Laserfiche WebLink
• 2.0 SITE CONDITIONS <br />Site conditions in the location of the proposed waste bank were obtained from various sources <br />including geologic maps of the area (USGS, 19761, topographic quadrangle map (USGS, <br />1978a1, geologic hazard maps (USGS, 1978b1, field reconnaissance conducted in late <br />September 1995 by WESTEC, and intrusive borehole investigations conducted in early <br />October, 1995 by WESTEC. Plan views of the existing site conditions and proposed waste <br />bank are shown on Drawing 95266-01 and -02. <br />2.1 SURFACE CONDITIONS <br />Surface conditions were primarily assessed by foot in the area of the waste bank. The area <br />is covered 70 io 75 percent by low grasses, and 25 to 30 percent with scrub oak, low <br />bushes, and pine trees. Terrain is very steep, with grades varying from 20 to 65 percent. <br />The Bowie No. 2 Mine and the area of the proposed waste bank are located on the south- <br />facing side of the North Fork of the Gunnison River valley. The south-facing side of the river <br />valley is characterized by dryer surficial conditions, compared to the north-facing valley <br />• slopes, due to longer daily sunlight exposure, and therefore more stable hillside conditions. <br />The soil at the surface is colluvial in nature derived from uphill outcrops of the Rollins <br />Sandstone Member of the Mesa Verde Formation. This soil is a silty sand with some gravel- <br />sized material. The area at the toe of the proposed waste bank was the mine's coal loading <br />area where train cars were loaded on a spur off the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. <br />This area is generally flat, with a high percentage at coal material on the surface. On this flat <br />loading area, there is a small percentage of low weeds. <br />Within the limits of the proposed coal mine waste bank, no surficial water or signs of <br />ephemeral streams were noted at the time of the WESTEC reconnaissance in September, <br />1995. According to representatives of J.E. Stover & Associates (Jewkes, 1995), no springs <br />have been noted. <br />The existing mine portal enters this formation topographically uphill from the coal mine waste <br />bank site. Below the portal is the Rollins Sandstone Member of the Mesa Verde Formation, <br />• the source of colluvium in the area of the proposed waste bank. Founding the proposed <br />86286/1424.RPT Coal Mine Waste Bank Final Design for the Bowie No. 2 Mine <br />June 1996 WESTEC wcQUACr-ot 2 <br />