Laserfiche WebLink
hydrologic functions of alluvial valley floors within the affected area throughout the mining and <br />reclamation process (Rule 4.24.2). <br />The Wilson Reservoir, from which water is drawn for mining activities, is an important fishery <br />of the area. The Wilson Reservoir was built in 1941, and is under the regulatory jurisdiction of <br />the Colorado Division of Water Resources. Except for a pumping station, the Wilson Reservoir <br />is not within the Permit area, and is not a part of the Permit. The pumping station at the reservoir, <br />and the pipeline from the pumping station to the main areas of the Mine, are included in the <br />Permit. <br />3.2. 10 Vegetation <br />Baseline vegetation information is found in Section 2.04. 10 Map 4 and Exhibit 10 of the PAP <br />original volumes. Vegetation information associated with Lower Wilson and South Taylor <br />expansion areas can be found in Section 2.04. 10 of Volume 12, Exhibit 10 of Volume 13, and <br />Maps 3, 4A, and 4B of Volume 14. Vegetation information associated with the Collom <br />expansion area is found in Section 2.04.10, and Map 4C. Six major vegetation communities and <br />four minor community type /land uses exist within the Mine permit boundary. The major <br />communities are sagebrush, mountain shrub, aspen, bottomland, grassland, and juniper scrub. <br />The minor communities identified include improved pasture, cultivated land (cropland), <br />disturbed areas, and wetlands. <br />The sagebrush community occurs throughout the permit area on all elevations, slopes and soils. <br />The community has developed wherever soil moisture retention and soil depth have become <br />limiting to other vegetation communities. Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and Snowberry <br />(Symphoricarpos oreophilus) dominate the overstory. Dominant grasses are Western wheatgrass <br />(Agropyron smithii), Mountain brome (Bromus marginatus) and Green needlegrass (Stipa <br />viridula). Major forbs include Lupine (Lupinus caudatus), Wild onion (Allium spp.), Yarrow <br />(Achillea lanulosa) and Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorrhiza sagittata). <br />The mountain shrub community is typically found on areas of higher soil moisture and deeper <br />soils throughout the permit area. Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) and Gambel's oak <br />(Quercus gambehi) are the dominant overstory species in the community, with fairly dense <br />stands of Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) occurring on north slopes and along drainages. The <br />most abundant grasses are Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), Western wheatgrass and Needle <br />and thread (Stipa comata). Forbs include Lupine, Yarrow, Bedstraw (Galium spp.) and American <br />vetch (Vicia americana). <br />3.2.11 Land Use <br />Land use information is found in Sections 2.04.3, 2.05.5, and 4.16 (Volume 1 for the East Pit, <br />West Pit, Section 16 Pit, Facilities Area and Gossard Loadout, Volume 12 for South Taylor, and <br />Volume 15 for Collom expansion) and Map 17 of the PAP. Specific findings are described in <br />Colowyo Coal Mine C1981 -019 PR -03 27 April 10, 2013 <br />