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3.2.6 Climate <br />The Keenesburg mine site is situated in an area which has a "continental" type of climate, <br />characterized by low relative humidity, a large amount of sunshine, light rainfall, moderately <br />high winds, and large daily range in temperature. The average annual mean temperature is 48.4° <br />F. The annual average precipitation ranges from 11.12 to 16.32 inches. Fort Lupton, which has <br />an average annual precipitation of 12.5 inches, provides the best estimate of precipitation at the <br />area (Findings, 1992). <br />3.2.7 Vegetation, Wildlife and Land Use <br />The undisturbed lands in the area of the Permit are moderately to well stabilized by a sandsage- <br />prairie sandreed plant association that is used primarily for grazing by cattle in summer months. <br />Wildlife is limited to small rodents, primarily field mice, and birds with an occasional spotting of <br />raptors such as hawks or eagles. Deer and pronghorn are rare as are most higher order <br />vertebrates. CEC updated the evaluation of Threatened and Endangered species and habitat in <br />October 2006. There are no known threatened or endangered plants or animal species, nor <br />habitats for these species, in the area. <br />The premining land use classification of the area was rangeland, as shown on the general soil <br />map of Weld County (from the Soil Conservation Service and included in the Permit as page 37). <br />The post mining land use of the permit area is also rangeland. The land cannot support a variety <br />of uses under existing technologies and local resources. All attempts at dryland farming on the <br />area have been abandoned, and the damage caused by those attempts will remain evident for <br />many decades. <br />The premining soil capability class is VIe for irrigated and non - irrigated Valent soils. Osgood <br />soils have capability classes of IVe for irrigated crops and VIe for non - irrigated conditions. <br />3.3 Description of the Operation and Reclamation Plans <br />The Operation and Reclamation Plans are described in the PAP, Section 2.05.4, and some of the <br />important elements are described below. <br />3.3.1 Topsoil Stripping and Replacement Depths <br />No stripping of undisturbed topsoil is anticipated during the forthcoming renewal period of the <br />Permit. Only reclamation activities are anticipated. Replacement depths of topsoil are: <br />• Two feet over overburden spoil cover (on ash disposal areas) <br />• Two feet over roads <br />• Fifteen inches over the long -term spoil area <br />7 <br />