Laserfiche WebLink
summer, with relatively even distribution of precipitation during the year. <br />The average speed and direction of the prevailing winds in the permit area is 8.0 mph from the southwest. <br />Vegetation <br />The mesas and the valley slopes at the canyon base support sparse salt desert vegetation, including grasses such <br />as galleta Hilaria gmesii), indian ricegrass O o sis hMenoides) and squirrel tail Sitanion h_ystrix) and <br />shrubs such as winterfat (Ceratoides lanata), shadscale Atri lex confertifolia), big sagebrush Artemisia <br />tridentata) and fourwing saltbrush Atri lex canescens). The riparian zone adjacent to the Colorado River <br />supports a variety of grasses, shrubs and trees, including willows Sal ix spy), cottonwoods Po ulus sue), salt <br />cedar (Tamarix Rarviflora), and bluegrass Poa sue.). <br />Further information on vegetation can be found in Tab 10 of the permit application. <br />Wildlife <br />Canyon walls in the permit area provide potential raptor nesting sites, and peregrine falcon nesting has been <br />documented in the permit area in recent years. The river is used by waterfowl during migration, wintering and <br />nesting seasons. Western portions of the permit area provide winter range for mule deer, and overlap a portion <br />of a federally designated wild horse management area. <br />During winter months, bald eagles have been observed along the Colorado River through DeBeque Canyon. <br />Four species of threatened or endangered fish may potentially inhabit the Colorado River in this area. These <br />are the bonytail, Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker, and humpback chub.. <br />Additional information on the wildlife in the area can be found in Tab 11 of the permit application. <br />Land Use <br />Due to the long mining history of the area, and existence of the Cameo Power Plant adjacent to the North <br />Portal mine facilities, current land use along the river and I-70 corridor in the mine vicinity is industrial. <br />Wildlife habitat is the primary use on adjacent dry uplands and tributary canyons. The post-mining land use <br />for the permitted area is wildlife habitat, with the exception that the Division approved, within Permit Revision <br />No. 3, a postmining land use of "Industrial or Commercial" for a designated portion of the disturbed area <br />within the South Portals facility area. Also with Permit Revision No. 4, the Division proposes to approve a <br />postmining land use of "Industrial or Commercial" for the entire Unit Train Loadout area as shown on Exhibit <br />63 of the permit application package. <br />Description of the Operation and Reclamation Plans <br />The general description of mine operations can be found in Tab 12 of the application; the reclamation plan in <br />Tab 14. <br />Mining by modern underground methods began in the permit area in 1974. Between 1974 and December <br />1999, when operations ceased, a total of 3,281 acres were affected by underground workings (including surface <br />area encompassed by the projected 12 degree subsidence angle of draw). Total surface disturbance associated <br />with the mining and reclamation operation is approximately 243 acres. Since December 1999, activity has <br />Permit Revision No. 4 9 February 3, 2009