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Twentymile Coal, LLC (TC) <br />Narrative <br />Lease by Modification Application Wolf Creek Reserve — April 2014 <br />the relatively thick, low permeability shales between the mining horizon and the surface <br />would generally minimize the potential for fracture extension, surficial cracking, and <br />transmission of water from the surface. Stream monitoring and monitoring of mine inflows <br />during and following completion of mining confirmed that no measurable transmission of <br />surface water occurred in the NMD, therefore, TC does not anticipate any significant loss of <br />flow in Fish Creek as a result of mining operations in the Wolf Creek Reserve. <br />TC is the immediate downstream user of irrigation water and does not foresee any impacts to <br />its agricultural operations due to any potential loss of water from the system. In the unlikely <br />event that significant temporary losses occurred during the irrigation season, TC has <br />sufficient water rights that can be activated under an approved Augmentation Plan to address <br />any such loss for its own or other downstream uses. <br />Given that potential subsidence effects will be localized and temporary, it is not anticipated <br />that upstream landowners or water users will be impacted. <br />Fish and Wildlife Habitat <br />Development and mining of the Wolf Creek Reserve is not expected to adversely impact <br />habitat areas of unusually high value for fish and wildlife or individual species. There are no <br />cliffs in the area to be subsided that provide potential raptor habitat and there are no known <br />occurrences of Threatened, Endangered, or Sensitive (TES) species associated with areas <br />previously subsided by recent Wadge Seam mining, which would be affected by mining - <br />related subsidence associated with the Wolf Creek Seam. Portions of the Fish Creek <br />drainage will be subsided, as shown on Plate 2, Map No. 23, resulting in the potential <br />increases in valuable and beneficial riparian habitat. Seasonal flooding of low-lying areas <br />may occur, dependent on surface flows in Fish Creek. During spring runoff, more of the <br />valley will be flooded, with flooding diminishing as the runoff abates. <br />In addition to grazing use of the area by cattle, elk, mule deer, and antelope utilize the proposed <br />mining area and surrounding areas, primarily on a seasonal basis. Winter use of this area is <br />limited by deep snow pack and lack of winter forage, although south -facing slopes to the north <br />and southeast may be utilized by big -game throughout the year. Numerous other wildlife <br />species inhabit or pass through the area, as described in greater detail in TC's Mining and <br />Reclamation Permit (CDRMS Permit No. C-82-0546). Because little or no new surface <br />disturbance is planned, habitat and forage values should not be adversely affected by mining or <br />related subsidence. <br />Both sage grouse and sharp -tailed grouse commonly inhabit the sagebrush and related <br />habitats, and are heavily dependent on the sagebrush habitat (Braun et al. 1977). While open <br />areas in low sagebrush may be used for strutting grounds (leks), nests are constructed on the <br />ground beneath sagebrush, and most grouse foraging occurs in sagebrush habitat. Two sage <br />grouse strutting grounds and a number of identified sharp -tailed grouse strutting grounds are <br />located on or near the Permit Area. As candidate (sage grouse) and sensitive (sharp -tailed <br />WCR BLM Lease App Narrative 0414.docx Page 9 <br />