Laserfiche WebLink
Geology-Rules 2.04.5 and 2.04 .6 <br />For a description of the geology, refer to Section 2.04.6 in the permit document. Map 2 details the <br />Geology/Hydrology within the permit and adjacent areas. <br />The rocks exposed in the vicinity of the permit area are the sandstones and shales of the Upper Cretaceous <br />Mesaverde formation. The structure of the sedimentary rocks in the area dips gently to the east. Localized <br />faults and rolls occur as a result of tectonic activity. Due north of the permit area, the Mesaverde formation <br />contains several sequences of coal bearing rocks. The rocks present in the area of the Terror Creek site are of <br />Mancos shale formation. Within the North Fork of the Gunnison River Valley, Quaternary Age alluvial <br />deposits are found. A colluvial deposit in excess of 50 feet thick overlies the Mancos within the permit area <br />and consists of an unconsolidated mixture of large, angular shaped boulders, and rocks and cobbles of various <br />sizes. The unconsolidated material stratigraphically overlies the Mancos shale in the permit area, and since the <br />early 1900s has been graded to its present surface configuration to allow for irrigated agriculture. The <br />unconsolidated and poorly sorted nature of the colluvial material indicates that it was placed by gravitational <br />mass wasting from the adjacent steep slopes. Some transport by overland flow of surface waters is also <br />evident. The unconsolidated nature of the material lends itself to deep weathered zones and infiltration of <br />surface water. <br />Climatological Information-Rule 2.04.8 <br />Information on the climate in the area of the Terror Creek Loadout is detailed in Section 2.04.8 in the permit <br />document. In addition, Exhibit 6 provides data from the weather station in Paonia, Colorado, on average <br />precipitation, temperature, and wind. The wind information was developed for the West Elk Mine site. <br />The climate of the region is typical of the Rocky Mountain area. The valley is semi-arid with annual <br />precipitation averaging about 15 inches per year. The May-September precipitation is 5 inches for the <br />lowlands and 13 inches for the mountain peaks. Temperature extremes at Paonia have ranged from -28 degrees <br />F in January to ,100 degrees F during July and August. The average annual temperature is approximately 49 <br />degrees F. Snowfall averages 58 inches per year. <br />Soils-Rule 2.04.9 <br />Soil resource information is contained in section 2.04.9 of the permit document. Exhibit 7 contains more <br />detailed information on soils as well as soil sample cross sections and analyses, which were taken from <br />different areas of the site. <br />The soil samples collected by the applicant has indicated a clay loam soil with poor horizonal development <br />overlying unconsolidated colluvial parent material at an average depth of 11 to 13 inches. The soil mapping <br />units which are present in the permit area consist of Progresso Loam, which is found on slopes of 6 to 12 <br />percent and Torriorthents-Haplargids. Review of the soils analyses indicates that no problems are expected <br />with use of this soil material during reclamation activities. <br />Vegetation-Rule 2.04. 10 <br />Vegetation information is contained in Section 2.04. 10 in the permit document. <br />As this area, previous to mining activities, was used as fruit orchards, the dominant vegetation type was apple <br />and pear trees. In addition, some small areas within the orchards have been used for production of hay. <br />Virtually all of the permit area has been used for agricultural purposes.