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<br />2.04.3(2) (b) (i) <br />• 'i) The capability of the land before any mining. <br />Prior to mining, the only use of the land was a wildlife habitat. <br />The Division of wildlife states that the area surrounding the mine <br />is typical of the semi-arid mountain hillsides found along the North <br />Fork valley. Pinyon-juniper, oakbrush, sagebrush, rabbitbrush, <br />serviceberry, bitterbrush and many fortis and grasses cover the area <br />and privide excellent cover and forage for numerous species of wildlife. <br />When mining was started in 1916, some areas were cleared for residences <br />and pastures for grazing. <br />The principal capability of the land prior to the mining was a wildlife <br />habitat. A limited secondary capability is rangeland and orchards. <br />The location of the mine is 3-s miles N.W. of Cedaredge, Colorado in <br />the SW: SW~ Section 12, S 250' NWT SW; Section 12 and NWk NWy Section 13, <br />T 13 S, R 95 W, 6th PM. Refer to Drawing 2.04.3(2)(b)(i)-1. <br />The area ranges in elevation from 6300 to 6800 feet and encompasses <br />approximately 450+ acres. This area is a small box canyon on the <br />•-southern slope of the Grand Mesa. Undisturbed water and water from <br />the sediment pond drain directly into an agricultural irrigation <br />system, Carbon Ditch. <br />A general climatic description is available for the Town of Cedaredge, <br />Colorado. The Red Canyon #1 Dine and proposed #2 Mine is 3~, miles <br />northwest of Cedaredge and 250 feet higher which indicates similar <br />conditions for the mine site. Precipitation averages 12 inches per <br />year. Temperatures are seasonally consistent with moderate summers <br />and cool winters. <br />As stated above, vegetation for the area consists primarily of <br />pinyon-juniper, sagebrush, rabbitbrush, fortis and grasses. <br /> <br />REVISED May 8, 1981 35 <br />