1997-02-13_REVISION - M1977493 (7)

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• • 2.3 Environmental Information • Since all of the proposed additional acreage was part of the affected land in the original Permit, the description of the environment relative to Exhibits G-K in Rule 6.4 for this proposed increase is adequately covered in the existing approved Permit (Sections 4 through 8). The proposed additional acreage is attached to the existing affected land area, is at the same approximate elevation, is climatically similar, and is in the same ecological zone. 3.0 RECLAMATION PLAN (Exhibit E Information) Reclamation of the additional 1054 acres will be conducted in the same manner as that described in the existing Permit in Section 10 and as revised in TR 002 and TR 009. 3.1 Pre-Amendment Land Use The acreage proposed to be added to the affected area is within the general area which has been impacted by Climax operations since 1918. As such, although these acreages are relatively • unimpacted, per se, they have been heavily influenced by indirect environmental factors associated with a large-scale mining and milling operation; noise, regular human incursions, and airborne particulates. As discussed in Section 2.2, this acreage was included as part of the affected land area prior to the 1989 Amendment. Historical land use of the Climax site and areas surrounding the present affected area has been exceptionally well documented in the original Permit (Section 3.1). In addition, since the original Permit was approved, the definitive history of the region was published (Dempsey, S. and J.E. Pell, Jr. 1986. Mining the Summit: Colorado's Ten Mile District, 1960-1960. University of Oklahoma Press. 306 p.). This well researched history sheds significant light on land use of the area prior to and during the tenure of Climax. 3.2 Post-Mining Land Use The post-mining land use for the acreage proposed for inclusion into the affected land is unchanged from the 1989 Amendment (Exhibit E; page E-2). A large majority of this acreage will 7 •