2008-03-03_PERMIT FILE - C2006085A

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7.05(2)(a) ~"he permit area is zoned Agricultural Forestry by Fremont County Planning and Zoning Department. Zoning verification was performed bey Ernie Martinez on October 25, 2005 (Exhibit D). Mining is permitted and has occurred in the area for nearly a century. The proposed mine is compatible with land use in the area. 7.05(2)(b) ~~he area is-the historic site of many underground coal mines including Ch~~ndler Mine, Brookside Mine, and Prospect Mine shown on Map 4, Extent of Abandoned Mine Workings. Historic surface operations do not exist within the permit area. The Colorado Historical Society was contacted on October 21, 2005 regarding fr~~gile or historic lands in the area. The database search report dated January 30, 2006 indicates three sites and one survey were located within the vicinity of the permit boundary. The railroad grade and miine workings in Section 13, Chandler Mine air shaft in Section 15, ~~nd prehistoric sites were identified in 1977 by the Department of the Army while surveying a reservoir site within a seven mile radius near Florence, Colorado. A 2002 mapping attempt was unsuccessful) due to insufficient information (Exhibit E). In April 200;7, Metcalfe Archaeological Consultants performed a cultural survey (Exhibit AF) on the proposed area for surface development and along County Road 79 where subsidence is possible. As a result of the survey, three new sites and two new isolated finds were discovered and recorded. None of the sites are eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. The proposed surface facilities are not adjacent to the Chandler mine shaft or oth{~r historic workings. The sited railroad grade is southeast of the Chandlery Creek. The proposed site is northwest of Chandler Creek bed. 7.05(2)(c)Fr•emont County Soil Conservation District Director, Rick Romano wa:~ contacted on October 24, 2005 regarding scientific, esthetic values or natural systems. District representative Roy Roper visited the proposed site on February 2, 2006. The February 14, 2006 report does not identify any scientific, esthetic values or natural systems in the vicinity of the surface facility site (Exhibit F). The area is grid and not capable of sustaining crops, therefore the operation will not adversely affect renewable resources such as water supply, food or fiber production. The area is not in an aquifer or aquifer recharge arE~a. 2.03-11 Revised 5/01/07