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Members of the Mesa Verde Formation are the major coal-bearing units in the area. The A (King), B (Somerset), and C (Bear) coal beds of the Lower Coal Member and the D (Oliver), E (Hawks Nest), and the F-Seam coal beads of the Upper Coa] Member have all been mined within the North Fork Vallev. Genera] dip in area of the Exploration Hole is 3 to 4 degrees to the northeast. Stratigraphic displacements and faults are known to occur in West Elk Mine. Known geologic data does not indicate that these faults are locatable on the surface. WATER RESOURCES The town of Paonia, situated about 10 miles west of the azea, averages approximately 1 ~ inches of precipitation annually. Given that precipitation increases as elevation increases, the annual precipitation of the West Flat Iron would be expected to be somewhat higher. An estimated 75% of the annual precipitation occurs during ]ate winter and early spring, mostly as snowfall. June, July and August are often the driest months. The Exploration Hole and pad proposed in this revision is drained primarily by the North Fork of the Gunnison River. VEGETATION • Vegetation at the Exploration Drill hole is dominated by the mountain shrub communities of Gambel's oak, mountain sagebrush, with minor amounts of juniper and snowberry interspersed. Sagebrush, and Gambel's oak occur in isolated stands typically in the lower elevations of the area. Aspen groves also occur in the drilling area. Various grasses and other mountain shrubs occur sporadically throughout the area and previous reclaimed coal exploration roads and pads. No threatened, endangered, or candidate plant species have been identified at other locations within the permit area, and none is anticipated at the propsed pad area. Vegetation at previous coal exploration sites (96-27-1, SOM 123 (S) and RAV-10) was described in a document titled, "Reclamation Status Report for Mountain Coal Company, 7-23-2000, Prepared for Barr Engineering by Michael K. Ward". SOILS Soils vary from silty and sandy loams mainly derived from the Wasatch Formation, to organic humus covering clay soils observed in the Aspen groves. A sandstone and conglomerate bedrock is present throughout most of the mesas and ridges as observed from the rock outcroppings. Experience at other Exploration Drill hole sites, indicates that the size of drill pads will be approximately 100' x 100'. Topsoil salvaged at the sites for reclamation purposes . indicates that revegetation should not be a problem in this area. The revegetation of the previous drill pad sites has been very successful and in adjacent exploration areas.