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Land within the permit area has the capability to include <br />• several types of land uses. Those lands close to the Purgatoire <br />River are used for production of hay and small grains; however, <br />productivity is limited by the elevation and short growing <br />season. Moderately sloping land adjacent to the river has <br />potential for pastureland and occasional hay production. Steep <br />mountainous slopes south of the mine have been and are currently <br />used for rangeland. Productivity of this land for grazing is <br />low. The Soil Conservation Service estimates approximately 80 <br />acres to support an animal unit on a year round basis. In <br />addition,~minor amounts of forestry products could be harvested <br />as saw logs or mine props for local use. Approximately 40 to 65 <br />cubic foot of wood fiber per acre per year could be harvested. <br />Steeper slopes have limited rangeland or forest land <br />productivity, as such the area is best suited for wildlife <br />habitat. Wildlife habitat is considered those lands adjacent to <br />disturbed areas which are not leased for rangeland (Map 4, <br />• Premine Land Use). <br />Additional land use potential includes residential, <br />industrial, commercial, and recreational. Residential areas <br />consist of subdivisions of 35 or greater acre ranchettes which <br />have been developed north of Highway 12. There is currently <br />little or no construction occurring within the permit area. <br />Services, such as electrical, drinking water, sewage disposal <br />facilities, and lot size, limit the amount of people who could <br />potentially move into this area. Should construction occur, the <br />potential for undermining may exist. <br />Continuation of the mining activities (industrial land <br />use) in the area by BRI and other mining companies will be <br />dictated by coal demand. <br />• <br />The area on which the Golden Eagle Mine is located had <br />2.04-3(Revised 01/09/94) <br />