2009-01-14_PERMIT FILE - C1996083A (2)

Home Browse Search

2.04.3 Certain areas within the permit and adjacent areas have been disturbed as the result of previous mining activities. The King Mine operated from 1903 to 1975. Remnants of the King Mine include the sealed portals, hoist house and hoist, waste coal, many concrete foundations, a powder magazine and office building. There is also an abandoned coal fired power generating plant and smoke stack within the permit area. The old Bowie townsite is also within the permit area. All of the homes associated with the Bowie townsite have been removed. (2)(a)(i) Map 12, Premining and Map 13, Postmining Land Use is included in the permit document in Volume II. (2)(b)(i) Most of the land within the permit area is not irrigated and is used for recreational purposes and wildlife habitat. The rocky soils of the Torriorthents-Rock outcrop, which make up a significant portion of the permit area, have limited value for grazing and are used mainly for wildlife habitat and recreation. A small portion of the land is suitable for most of the orchard crops. The principal orchard crops are apples, pears, peaches and cherries. Because of shortness of the growing season and frost that occurs early in spring, crops can be severely damaged. (2)(b)(i) Under a high level of management, including irrigation, portions of the land within the permit area are capable of producing 75 - 100 bushels per acre of Barley, 24 tons per acre of silage, 5 tons per acre of alfalfa hay and 4 tons per acre of grass hay. The rangeland productivity of the land is between 1400 and 3000 pounds per acre. The rangeland vegetation includes Gambel Oak, serviceberry, mountain bromegrass, Elk sedge, wheatgrasses, needlegrasses, bluegrasses, Snowberry and sagebrush. Most of the land in the area has never met its maximum capability because the land is situated above the elevation of the irrigation ditches in the area. • P6wuS •PPLICATIOe 2 .04 - 2 -