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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS <br />and endangered species which are known to occur in the region. No critical habitat for any species is known <br />to exist in the South Taylor /Lower Wilson permit revision area. Golden Eagle nesting complexes, which are <br />located within the permit area but outside the area to be mined, are described in Section 2.04.11 of the <br />existing permit document. <br />Section 4.18 of the existing permit document discusses electric power line and transmission facility <br />construction guidelines for retrofitting of existing power poles to project raptors. Colowyo has implemented <br />these measures to protect raptors in the mine permit area. <br />As described in Section 2.05.6 and the existing permit document, all disturbed acreage, including roads, has <br />been kept to a minimum by proper planning to reduce impacts to all environmental resources, including <br />impacts on wildlife. <br />As part of the plan to return the post- mining land use to a rangeland condition capable of supporting the <br />diverse wildlife populations identified in the permit areas, Colowyo initiated efforts to restore wildlife <br />habitats during pre -mine planning and early mining. This was accomplished by conducting an extensive four <br />year study to assist in determination of the best techniques for revegetating disturbed areas with native species <br />to enhance wildlife habitat. In addition, Colowyo implemented a habitat improvement program in 1975 to <br />offset temporary habitat loss during mining. The reestablishment of herbaceous species, topographic relief, <br />impoundments and limited reestablishment of a shrub component form the integral elements of the <br />reclamation plan. <br />To date these efforts have proven successful. Herds of deer and elk are regularly seen grazing on the <br />reclaimed areas. Rodent and small game populations have reestablished on the reclaimed areas providing a <br />readily available food source for local raptor populations and other predators. <br />MLA 9.Zi]l li3LGlVII)MIJ&no 1] D1ZlTi1I110 OUT-1 VO IM111 <br />Colowyo will conduct no coal mining closer than 500 feet to any point of either an active or abandoned <br />underground mine. Underground coal mines have been operated in the past as discussed in Section 2.04.4, <br />but their locations were on the - northern side of Streeter Draw well over 500 feet from present Colowyo <br />mining. <br />The surface mining activities of Colowyo have been designed so as not to endanger any present or future <br />operations of either surface or underground mining operations. As discussed in Section 2.05.3, Colowyo has <br />engineered its mining plan to maximize recovery of coal by current economical surface mining methods. <br />4.20 SUBSIDENCE CONTROL <br />Colowyo is conducting a surface coal mining operation. Therefore, the requirements of 4.20 are not <br />applicable to the Colowyo operation. <br />4.21 COAL EXPLORATION <br />All coal exploration activities within the South Taylor /Lower Wilson permit revision area will be completed <br />in accordance with the requirements and procedures outlined in the existing permit document. <br />4.22 CONCURRENT SURFACE AND UNDERGROUND MINING <br />Colowyo does not currently plan to have concurrent surface or underground mining activities; therefore, the <br />requirements of this Section are not applicable to this permit application. <br />South Taylor /Uwer Wilson — Rule 4, Page 19 Revision Date: 10/31/13 <br />Revision No.: MR -129 <br />