1986-11-01_PERMIT FILE - C1981008A

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reconstructed as a recirculating fluidized bed type power plant to test this type of new boiler technology. Associated with the power plant reconstruction, the Nucla Mine was reactivated in 1986 to provide initial coal needs for the reconstructed power plant. Adjacent Land Use. Land use adjacent to the Nucla Permit area is either irrigated hay/cropland, abandoned cropland or native rangeland used for livestock grazing and wildlife habitat. Specifically, lands to the west and north of the permit area are predominantly irrigated cropland, while lands east of the permit area are predominantly native rangeland. Lands to the south of the permit area are dominated by Tuttle Draw and remain in native rangeland until south of Tuttle Draw where irrigated cropland dominates once again. Active cropland areas are all irrigated because of the very dry climatic conditions experienced in this region. Irrigation water is delivered to the area by the Colorado Cooperative Ditch located less than one mile northeast of the permit area. A system of lateral ditches deliver water to the irrigated fields whereupon it is spread on the individual fields. Improvements are generally limited to land leveling, where soils are deep enough, or to more efficient delivery/water spreading systems. Cropland has been abandoned in several areas because of either poor water availability, poor site characteristics related to topography and flood irrigability or poor economic return. Poorer sites or areas with shallow soils are in irrigated hay/pasture production while the deeper soils areas are in crop production or crop/hay rotations. Crops normally grown are annual grains or corn for silage. Irrigated hay or pasture is predominated by alfalfa with grasses such as smooth brome (Bromus inermis), orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata) or introduced wheatgrasses (Agropyron sp.) included in varying degrees of composition to improve forage quality. Native rangeland areas are used for livestock grazing and by wildlife. Classes of livestock in order of importance are cattle, sheep and horses. In terms of land use, the more important wildlife species are mule deer and elk. However, a wide variety of small mammals, predators, passerine and upland game birds, and raptors frequent the area. While mule deer may be found in the immediate area year round, elk are more likely to be found in the area during the winter season after migrating from, summer season range located in the adjacent high country. In the fall, the quality of big game hunting and the natural beauty of the area draw a large number of in-state and out-of-state hunters to the area, providing a sizeable boost to the local economy. Predominant native vegetation types and 4-2 Revised 11/01/86