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• <br />stones, sand and silt. Although the surface soil is only 2-8 inches in thickness, the underlying gravel <br />is porous and the overall hydrologic curve numbers of both the undisturbed and disturbed conditions <br />in the permit area are relatively low - 75-79. <br />Groundwater Hydrology <br />Test holes on [he property and data from [he previous County pit show that no water will be encoun- <br />tered with the shallow mining depth. Known data for the area and the Raton/Vermejo Formations <br />show that water is sparse and generally high in pH and dissolved solids. A windmill drawing shal- <br />low alluvial water from the Story Creek bottom is located approximately 1800 feet northwest of the <br />permit area and will not be affected by the operation. This well is owned by Menegatti and is 17 feet <br />deep and used for stock watering. See Map B-1. As one continues west of the permit area, the <br />Vermejo and Raton formations dip downward and considerable water is found at depths of 1000 <br />feet or more. Current coal bed methane drilling activity west of the permit area is encountering this <br />water and the handling of it is a significant part of their operation but this water can in no way be <br />affected by the 12' deep gravel pit described here. The SCS report for the County Pit estimated the <br />depth to groundwater is over 100 feet. <br />Historical Land Use <br />The site has been used for dryland agriculture, primarily cattle grazing, for approximately 100 years. <br />The sparse vegetation does not allow heavy grazing and the animals must be carefully managed to <br />avoid overgrazing, weeds and erosion. As previously stated, there was a gravel pit called the <br />Menegatti Pit II, operated by Huerfano County on land immediately west of the planned operation. <br />This pit was reclaimed successfully and the bond was released in 1995. The permit area and all the <br />surrounding area are zoned for agriculture. <br />Soils <br />The soils report recently supplied by the local SCS office in Walsenburg is enclosed in Appendix A. <br />This report shows that the soils within the permit area are Morop Loam on 2 to 18% slopes. The <br />Ferrero Pil 2/00 7 <br />