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and is well drained. <br />The Nihil stony loam (a loamy- skeletal mixture of sand and clay) occurs in alluvial fans and side <br />slopes of the mountain valleys. It is very pale brown in color. It is a deep (60 inches), well <br />drained soil with rapid permeability and low water retention capability. <br />Vegetation <br />Vegetation baseline information is contained on PAP pages 3 -124 through 3 -142 of Volume I, <br />Appendices 3.6 -1 in Volume II, and 3.6 -2 and 3.6 -3 in Volume VI. The revegetation plan is <br />contained on pages 4.58viii through 4.62c in Volume I. <br />The vegetation within the vicinity of the mine is characterized as Pinon- sagebrush, mountain <br />shrub, and, in the lower regions, irrigated cropland. The area is used for limited grazing and <br />wildlife habitat. <br />Wildlife <br />Wildlife that inhabit the area include large and small game animals and numerous birds and <br />small mammals. Big game species such as mule deer and elk as well as smaller mammals such as <br />raccoons, rabbits and coyotes are common to the mine site. Less common are black bear and <br />mountain lion. Waterfowl and game birds are abundant due to the proximity of riparian habitat <br />near the Colorado River. Red tailed hawks have been observed as have the Kestrel and the <br />Cooper hawk. Bald eagles have been seen adjacent to the site along the Colorado River, but no <br />eagles have been recorded as nesting in the area. Five species of reptiles and twenty -seven <br />species of fish have been reported in this area. Details regarding baseline wildlife information are <br />located in Section 3.7 of the PAP. <br />An endangered species assessment was made and the findings verified that the mine would not <br />impact any endangered species nor affect a potential habitat for the same. <br />Land Use <br />Current land use on and adjacent to the permit area includes grazing, cropland, developed water <br />resources, residential and previous mining activities. The land use classification of the mine site <br />is Agriculture /PUD (agricultural /residential /rural). <br />The approved post- mining land use is agricultural, and includes grazing and cropland. <br />Coal Ridge No. 1 Mine <br />Permit Renewal 6 7 31 October 2011 <br />