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II I I II I II I II IIII III Doc Date:12/11/2001 <br />I sss <br />/ 2.04.3 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: SITE DESCRIPTION AND <br />/ LAND USE INFORMATION <br />(1) The proposed permit area and adjacent areas are located <br />in the plateau country of Southwestern Colorado. Valleys and <br />basins are separated by many mesas and benches throughout this <br />area. The slope on the mesa top where mining is to take place is <br />relatively flat in the east west direction and gently sloping to <br />the north in the north south direction. <br />The mesa where mining is to take place is bisected in <br />the north south direction by Bramiers Draw on the west and an <br />unnamed drainage about in the center of Section 33 on the east. <br />Broad Canyon is the major drainage feature to the east of the <br />permit area. These three drainages are stable and indications <br />are that they flow only during spring snowmelt and during summer <br />thunderstorms. Six springs have been located in the adjacent <br />area. In general all of the springs can be categorized as damp <br />spots. <br />Rangeland and wildlife habitat are the most important <br />resources within the permit and adjacent areas. At one time, a <br />portion of this area was partially developed for irrigated farm- <br />land but was subsequently abandoned because of the lack of a <br />dependable source of irrigation water. <br />(2) The land within the proposed permit area has not had a <br />high level of management. Management practices suitable for this <br />area are proper grazing use and a planned grazing system. Native <br />vegetation over the area has been altered in the recent past. <br />Pinyon and Juniper trees have been chained and sagebrush has been <br />controlled by spraying and discing. A fair to good native grass <br />community now exists in the area. <br />(a) A Land Use Map, Drawing No. 102, is enclosed. <br />(b)(i) Portions of the land are well suited to <br />irrigated crops, recreational development and homesite develop- <br />ment. Under a high level of management the Barx soil in the area <br />is capable of producing 22 tons of corn silage per acre, 5.5 tone <br />of alfalfa per acre, 4.5 tons of grass hay per acre, 110 bushels <br />of barley per acre, or 80 bushels of oats per acre. The Pinyon <br />Juniper woodland areas are capable of producing 7 to 9 cords per <br />acre in a stand which will average 5 inches in diameter at a <br />height of 1 foot. The land in the area has never met its maximum <br />capability because of lack of water. <br />• <br />2.04-1 <br />May 1991 <br /> <br />