Laserfiche WebLink
Vegetation <br />The Greasewood vegetation type is the one major plant community type within the permit <br />boundary. Wetland and riparian are two minor community types which are also present on the <br />site. The greasewood community occupies the flat terrain along the deeply incised Reed Wash <br />where the soils are deep, well drained, highly sodic and highly saline. Most, if not all, the native <br />perennial plants which grow in this area would be considered to be salt tolerant species. The <br />wetland and riparian vegetation exist in large measure due to the irrigation practices on adjacent <br />areas. <br />Soils <br />The soils in the permit area are generally alluvial, derived from sandstone and shale and are <br />characterized (excluding Reed Wash and land farm areas) as Billings loam to silty clay. Billings <br />is a very deep ( >40 to 60 inches or more to bedrock), well to moderately well drained, fine -silty <br />soil. Most of the soil within the permit boundary is "unsuitable" as a source of top soil due to <br />high salinity and sodicity values. <br />Land use <br />Land use within the permit and adjacent areas is industrial, agricultural, rangeland, fish and <br />wildlife and a transportation corridor. Immediately north of the site is a main railroad corridor <br />and highway easement. Beyond the transportation corridor to the north and also to the west is <br />agricultural land which is mostly irrigated. To the south are former evaporation ponds and <br />undeveloped areas beyond which are Interstate 70 and the Colorado River. Adjoining the site to <br />the east is the former Fruita Refinery. The refinery was in operation from 1957 to 1993 during <br />which time it processed/produced gilsonite and many different petroleum products. Within the <br />permit area east of Reed Wash, most of the land is categorized as industrial. The area <br />immediately surrounding Reed Wash is fish and wildlife habitat and the area to the west of Reed <br />Wash is a combination of rangeland and fish and wildlife habitat. <br />Wildlife <br />Mule deer densities are low in the area and elk populations do not occur. Other mammals that <br />were documented in the area are raccoons, red fox, desert cottontails, and jackrabbits. Signs of <br />river otter (state threatened species) were found in Reed Wash but they are not likely to be <br />impacted by the loadout activities. Numerous other mammals, birds and reptiles were observed <br />in the area but also would not likely be impacted by the loadout construction or activities. <br />Description of the Operation and Reclamation Plans <br />This permit application package is for a unit train loadout. No mining underground or surface <br />mining will take place within the permit boundary. The proposed surface disturbance associated <br />with the unit train loadout activities within the permit area include; 1) haul road, 2) access road, <br />3) light use road, 4) truck dump, 5) coal stockpile, 6) loading system and, 7) rail loop and spur <br />track. The area east of Reed Wash was previously disturbed by industrial operations associated <br />with the old refinery located to the east of the property. In the eastern part of the site, there are <br />16 <br />