2012-06-20_PERMIT FILE - C2010089 (76)

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DESCRIPTION OF THE NUCLA COAL MINE STUDY AREA The Nucla Coal Mine study area encompasses approximately 100 acres in the southwest corner of Section 25 in Township 47N, Range 15W of the Nucla, Colorado, Quadrangle (see Map 2). The study area lies approximately three miles east of the San Miguel River in Second Park, an area averaging 5,600 feet in elevation covered by sagebrush with juniper and pinyon nearby. The study area must be seen in two parts: 1) the entire study area proper; and 2) the area actually proposed to be disturbed by coal mining (see Map 3). Part I, the 100 acre study area proper, is characterized as an area developed agri- culturally (see Figures 1, 2 and 3). The northwest corner of the overall study area, where a modern house and pond are located (Figure 4),.will not receive primary impact from coal mining activities; nor will Site 5MN1258 be disturbed by coal mining (See Map 3 and Figure 5). The surface of Site 5MN1258 has been heavily impacted by past agricultural cultivation and driveway construction. Part 2, the area actually proposed to be disturbed by Peabody Coal Mining activities, lies to the south and east of Part I (see Map 3). This area has also been cultivated in the past. A paved road (chip and seal) enters Area 2 from the east and makes a 90 turn (see Figure 6) south around the northern end of a topsoil stock pile (see Figure 7), and another 90 degree turn west along the southern boundary of Section 25. To the southwest and outside the overall study area is the Montrose County Sanitary Landfill and an area previously disturbed by the Edna Coal Company (see Figure 8). To the immediate west but east of the topsoil stock pile lies an area supporting considerable grass cover suggesting some form of disturbance in the past, possibly cultivation. South, and adjacent to this area, is an area being mined by the Peabody Coal Company. Site 5MN1257 (see Figures 9 and 10) lies north of this 3 APR 9 ./