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Twentymile Coal, LLC (TC) <br />Narrative <br />Lease by Modification Application Wolf Creek Reserve — April 2014 <br />Cultural and Related Resources <br />A description of cultural resources and the cultural resources site forms for this area are <br />found in TC's Mining and Reclamation Permit (CDRMS, Permit No. C-82-056, Rule 2.04.4 <br />and Exhibit 6P). The following information from the Permit is incorporated into this <br />application by reference. <br />TC's experience has shown that, except for areas where there are cliffs or significant <br />outcrops, undermining and subsidence of these areas does not result in any significant surface <br />disturbance, therefore, the potential for subsidence -related impacts to any existing cultural <br />resources is negligible. Given that the entire Wolf Creek mining area falls within portions of <br />the EMD and NMD, which have already been mined and subsided, there is little or no <br />potential for significant disturbance of any cultural resources which may exist in the area. <br />F. Wetlands, Floodplains, and Fish and Wildlife Habitat — Wolf Creek Reserve <br />Wetlands/Floodplains <br />TC's mining operations in the Wolf Creek Reserve will result in subsidence of those portions <br />of Fish Creek and the associated AVF areas that overlie the planned mining area (portions of <br />Sections 10, 15, and 16, T5N, R86W). Fish Creek and the associated AVF areas are located <br />along the northern edge of the proposed lease modification area. Given that portions of the <br />Fish Creek AVF will be subsided by mining operations, these areas may be subject to <br />seasonal flooding and/or increased sub -irrigation. TC is not proposing any special mitigation <br />or reclamation measures for these areas. The extent of flooding will be controlled by the <br />final elevation of areas overlying the gate -roads and bank -height immediately upstream from <br />that point. The following sections briefly describe potential impacts to existing land uses. <br />For the Wolf Creek Reserve area, the Fish Creek AVF and surrounding areas are utilized as <br />rangeland for seasonal livestock grazing, and these areas have not historically been nor are <br />presently flood -irrigated. Generally, based on subsidence projections and TC's experience <br />with subsidence effects on Fish Creek associated with the previous mining in the Wadge <br />Seam, subsidence -related effects on Fish Creek and the associated AVF will be localized, <br />temporary, and will not adversely impact existing grazing operations. <br />The alternate to flood irrigation is the utility of sub -irrigation to enhance crop production. <br />The potential for sub -irrigation depends on depth of rooting of selected species, and water <br />table elevation during the growing season. Data previously collected by Pittsburgh & <br />Midway Coal Company (P&M) indicates there are restricted areas in which sub -irrigation <br />does occur. The extent of sub -irrigation, based upon vegetation type, was verified during the <br />1997 growing season by vegetation production studies within the defined Fish Creek AVF of <br />the WMD. Areas that TC would undermine in the Fish Creek drainage are similar to the area <br />that P&M Coal Company was planning on undermining and subsiding in its proposed Fish <br />Creek Mine. P&M contracted with the consulting firm of Kaman Tempo to prepare a report <br />WCR BLM Lease App Narrative 0414.docx Page 7 <br />