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2.04 APPLICATION FOR PERMIT FOR SURFACE OR UNDERGROUND MINING <br />• ACTIVITIES-MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR INFORMATION ON <br />ENVII2ONMENTAL RESOURCES <br />This section of the application provides a detailed description of the environmental resources <br />that may be impacted or affected by surface mining activities at the Chimney Rock Mine. <br />The narrative provided herein presents a description of the existing premining environmental <br />resources within the permit and adjacent areas that may be •affected or impacted by the <br />mining activities. <br />2.04.3 General Requirements: Site Description and Land Use Information <br />Information of the various land uses in the permit area and adjacent areas is graphica]ly <br />illustrated on the Land Use Map (Map 2), prepared in accordance with the requirements <br />of Section 2.10. The map was prepared based upon visual inspections, aerial photography, <br />and the Archuleta County Land Use Map as prepared by the Soil Conservation Service, U.S. <br />Department of Agriculture. <br />Although approximately 35 acres have been disturbed by previous mining operations, the <br />basic land use units located within and adjacent to the permit area are wildlife/rangeland, <br />dry]and pasture, and irrigated pasture. The permit area is predominantly rangeland. <br />Interpretation of aerial photographs indicates that the land which is currently disturbed was <br />• typical of that which is located within the permit area and has not been disturbed. Lands <br />bordering the permit area consist of wildlife/rangeland with some pasture land to the west. <br />Also, the landowner occupies a dwelling to the southwest of the mining area. Associated <br />with that dwelling is a barn and numerous small sheds. Some coal mining activity has <br />historically occurred on the property. <br />Land Condition Capability and Productivity <br />The present condition of the land within the permit area and adjacent areas, can be <br />descnbed as fair to poor for rangeland. Cultivation of the land for specialty crops is limited <br />within the permit area. This is due to a combination of factors including availab]e moisture, <br />soil capability and topography. The lands within the permit area, as well as the area to be <br />affected over the life of the operation, are descnbed as a Class VI by the U.S. Soil <br />Conservation Service. Class VI is defined as not being suited for cultivation. It is more <br />specifically suited for pasture, rangeland, or wildlife use with careful management and <br />conservation practices. Present productivity of the lands similar to and located within the <br />permit area as descnbed by the U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service is estimated at 1,950 air <br />dried pounds of foliage per acre. Productivity is largely determined by the extent and nature <br />of the present vegetation found growing within the area. The predominant premining <br />limitations for land use variability are varying topsoil depths (relatively thin soil horizons in <br />some areas) and lack of available moisture. <br />• 2.04-1 <br />