2015-01-26_PERMIT FILE - C1981012A (16)

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2.04 APPLICATION FOR PERMIT FOR SURFACE OR UNDERGROUND MINING ACTIVITIES 2.04.1 Objectives Following is a description of the environmental resources at and around the New Elk mining operation. A description of the environmental resources for the Jansen Loadout can be found in Exhibit 40. 2.04.2 Responsibilities NECC is providing information required under this Section to illustrate and describe the environmental resources that may be affected by the New Elk mining operation. 2.04.3 General Requirements: Site Description and Land Use Information (1) -(4) The primary land use of the disturbed area prior to the development of the New Elk Mine was probably rangeland. The New Elk Mine has been in operation since the early 1950's, and past disturbance, as well as lack of records, makes it more difficult to determine actual pre- mining land uses. Land use identified within the permit area consists of pastureland, rangeland, and fish and wildlife habitat. The location of these lands is shown on Map 4, Pre -mine Land Use, as described and mapped by the Las Animas County Planning and Land Use Office. These land use descriptions have been updated to reflect Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety (DRMS) definitions. Following TR -66 approval on 8/31/2012, a total of 222.6 acres are approved for disturbance. Approved permit acreage is 4,198.90 acres and the approved affected area is 2,899.21 acres. Since these values change with approval of each new revision to the mining permit application, acreage values are more accurately reflected at any point in the future from approved decision documents available online at www.mining.state._co.us. Generally, lands north of Highway 12 to be disturbed are categorized as wildlife use and lands in the main facility area and Apache Canyon are rangeland use. Exceptions south of Highway 12 are the riparian wildlife use along the Purgatoire River and the upland wildlife use along the water tank road and pad area. Ten acres of the approved disturbed area are industrial and located at the Jansen rail loadout area on the west side of the town of Trinidad. The loadout area pre -mine land use was industrial. Table 4 Approximate acreage of land uses to be affected or disturbed Land Use Disturbed acres Permit Acres Wildlife 66 750 Rangeland 156.6 3,443.9 Pastureland 0 5 Total 222.6 4198.9 TR -68 Page 2.04 -1 (Revised 3/21/14) (next page is 2.04 -3 page 2.04 -2 was eliminated)