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Serian ~ 1.04.3 area. The Land Use Map, (Map 2.04-M1), shows the locauon and extent of historic surface • disturbance in the mine permit and adjacent areas and both Exhibits 2.04-E 1, Land Use and Existing Conditions, and 2.04-E2, Cultural Resource Information, provide relevant documentation for histonc land uses. The Coal Seam Isopach Maps, (I~aps2.04=M4A throueh 2.04-M4D) show the location and extent of known historic mining in the Mme Permit Area. T- Present Condition and Land Use The major portion of the mine permit area coruists of undisturbed lands which are utilized for limited grazing and dispersed wildlife habitat and recreation, some of which are underlain by underground mine workings. Iiutorical and recent mining-related activities have resulted in surface disturbance of a total of approximately 92 acres within the mine permit area. The disturbed areas include lands which were disturbed by historical mining activities and have not been reclaimed, areas utilized in conjunction with attive ongoing mining operations, and areas which are inactive and have been stabilized or reclaimed. The Somerset Cemetery lies within the limiu of both the mine disturbance area and the mine permit area. OMI maintains both the cemetery and ayear-round access road for local residents. In addition, a network of minor roads has been established for construction and maintenance access to several powerlines which cross the mine permit area. These areas are delineated and identified on the Land Use Map, (Map 2.04-M1) and the General Facilities Maps (Maps 2.05-M1) / The mine permit area straddles the boundary between Gunnison Countyto the east and Delta Cotmty to the west. Delta County has not established land use classifications. Under Gunnison Count}~s existing land use classification system, the undisturbed lands are designated az "Undeveloped Land" and surface disturbance areas are designated az "Industtial/Muting Operations". In addition to the Undeveloped and Industrial/Muung Operations classifications within the mine permit area, nearby • areas are designated az "Residential" (the Town of Somerset to the south), "Industrial/Muting Operations" (Mountain Coal Company~s operations to the southeast), and "Agricultural" (grazing operationu in the high park areaz to the north). Existing land use classifications are shown on Map 2.04-M1 ~ Land Use Capability/Productivity and Potential for Alternative Uses Land use capabilities within the mine permit area are limited by location, certain, and environmental factors. Productivity or the productivity potential of current disturbance areas and surrounding undeveloped areas is refletted by existing vegetation cort+m~~"~ties found in valley, drainage, and mountainside areas and is limited primarily by the semi-arid climate, steep hillslopes, and poorly developed, shallow soils, There ate ctuxently no intensive agricultural land rues in or adjacent to the mine permit area. The potential for intensive commercial ]and uses such az residential or commeroial development would be limited by distance from major conmtercial and population centers and related transponation considerations. Intensive agricultural development, including farming, orchards, hay production, intensive grazing, or timber production would be limited by the productivity constraints noted above az well az the lack of large contiguous areaz of arable land and available water resources for irrigation. Given the noted limitations on potential alternatives to the current land uses of "Industrial/Muting Operations" and "Undeveloped Lands", potential alternative lands rues would be limited to small-scale industrial development or limited, dispersed Waal, vacation or retirement home development, consistent with current prevailing development patterns in the area. C]tanges in Land Use • The only recent changes in land use which have occurred in the mine permit area Gave involved re- designation of limited areaz of "Undeveloped Lands" to the "Industrial/Mrrting Operations" classification, to allow construction and operation of the surface facilities required to support ongoing PR04 2.04-3 Revised August 2000