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Rule 2.04 • Soils A Soil Survey map of the mine azea was obtained from the Soft Conservation Service (SCS) office in Craig, Colorado and used to guide apre-mine Order 2 Soil Survey of the entire permit azea. Two separate soil survey/inventories of the mine area were conducted; by VTN Colorado, Inc. and by Yampa Mining Company. Portions of the soil classification and mapping were also completed by the Craig SCS office. Soils within the pemut area aze members of the mollisol soil order. Mollisols are usually associated with cool, dry climates and are generally chazacterized by a very dazk colored, loamy, base-rich surface layer. The following soil series located on the mine permit azea aze included in the mollisol soil order. Soil Series Classification Routt Loam Cryic Paleboroll; fine, montmorillonitic Skylick Loam Pachic Paleboroll; fine-loamy, mixed, cryic Lymanson Argic Cyoboroll; fine-loamy, mixed Splitro Lithic Cryoboroll; loamy, mixed Winevada Pachic Cryoboroll; fine-loamy, mixed All of the above mollisols belong to the suborder borolls, which aze chazacteristic of cool to cold regions with continental climates. They occur extensively throughout the northern Great Plains of North America and are moderately extensive in the high mountains of the western states. The soil survey map was used to develop topsoil stripping and salvage schedules described in Section 2.05.3 (Operating Plan) of this document. The dominant soil series within the mine area was the Routt . Loam which is chemically and physically superior to the other soils found in the mine pemut area. Abundant quantities of this high quality soil were available for salvage and mine reclamation purposes. For further information on soft properties, refer to Section 1.04.9, (Soil Rerource Information), Volume I of the original permit application. Wildlife The diversity of plant communities occurring on and near the Hayden Gulch mine site created a mosaic of wildlife habitats capable of supporting a variety of animal speces. Small mammal and bird populations of the mine area were inventoried in the fall and early winter of 1976 by quantitative field census techniques, scat and track analysis, and by duect observation. Lazge animal, including big game species, utilization of the mine azea was determined from comprehensive literature reviews, extensive discussions with Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) personnel, and consultation with other knowledgeable individuals and consulting companies familiaz with [he project azea. No threatened or endangered species were found within the smdy azea, which included the entire mine permit azea and adjacent azeas. The study azea is heavily used by elk during winter but it is not considered to be critical winter range. No critical habitat azeas or calving grounds were found within the smdy azea. Mule deer are also abundant in the Williams Fork Mountains and aze known to utilize the azea primarily in summer months. Other game species found within the J 2.04-2 Revised -11/28/95