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irrigation use. The operator documented the baseline quality of the ditch water by sampling the <br />ditch twice per year for two irrigation seasons ending in 1998, and for 12 months in 2005. The <br />2005 samples found total dissolved solids of less than 200 mg /l for most of the year. <br />An ephemeral stream channel may have existed in the bench area of the King I Mine prior to <br />disturbance of the site in 1941. This pre- mining channel would have been located in the lower <br />portion of the mine. Runoff from larger events would occur as channel flow, while smaller <br />events would primarily recharge the alluvium from side -slope areas. For this reason, a <br />post- mining channel will be reconstructed in the current location of the facilities area. A review <br />of the channel design indicates it meets the requirements of Rule 4.05.3. Channels disturbed at <br />the King 11 Mine will also be regraded to approximate original contour to meet the requirements <br />of Rule 4.05.3. <br />Information on surface water hydrology can be found in the permit application in Sections <br />2.04.7, 2.05.3 and 2.05.6 and on Maps King I -007a, King I -008, and King II — 007. <br />Climate (4.08) <br />The climate is semi -arid, characterized by hot summers, cold winters, and a limited amount of <br />precipitation each year. The prevailing winds are from the southwest and west with an average <br />annual precipitation rate varying from 15 -19 inches. The growing season in the area varies <br />depending on elevation and exposure with a maximum of 96 frost -free days. <br />Soils (4.09) <br />Soil properties in the permit area vary widely depending on slope, aspect, and topographic <br />position. Deeper soils are found in the valley bottoms and on the tops of plateaus, while shallow <br />soils associated with rock outcrops dominate the side slopes. Two soil orders (Entisolls and <br />Aridisols) and one rock outcrop complex occur on the site. Both of the soil orders have a ustic <br />moisture regime. There is no soil in the surface facilities area of the King I Mine as a result of <br />this area having been disturbed prior to any regulatory requirement to salvage topsoil. An area <br />in the upper reaches of the east drainage area of the King I Mine has been identified as a <br />"topsoil" borrow area with approximately 17,000 cubic yards of material available for <br />reclamation activities. The results of soil analyses are provided in Appendix 6 of the permit <br />application. <br />Vegetation (4.10) <br />The dominant vegetation in the King I and II Mine area is a mountain shrub community. <br />Gambel Oak is the most prominent shrub along the side slopes, forming dense stands. On the <br />plateau top above the King I and II Mines, the oak grows in clumps with open stands of grasses <br />interspersed. A juniper pinon community is found on the more xeric southern slopes with <br />scattered individuals of Douglas Fir and Ponderosa Pine encountered on more mesic northern <br />slopes. A pinon juniper woodland community predominates in the King II Mine area, extending <br />from the edge of the flat colluvial bottoms up the side slopes of the dissected drainage basins. A <br />rabbitbrush / big sage mixed shrubland community is also located in the King II Mine area on the <br />