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Rationale for Recommendation to Approve <br />Page 14 <br />October 5, 2015 <br />the Colorado Department of Transportation. These issues should be addressed through the <br />permitting processes of Park County and Colorado Department of Transportation. The Applicant <br />has affirmatively stated that an Access Permit, through the Colorado Department of <br />Transportation, is being pursued. <br />Pursuant to Rule 6.5, the application provides an engineering stability analysis for mined slopes <br />and final reclaimed slopes which demonstrates that off-site areas, including Highway 9, will be <br />protected with the appropriate factors of safety incorporated into the analysis. The application <br />addressed the requirements of Rule 6.5 to the Division's satisfaction. <br />5. Concerns regarding potential impacts to wildlife, including aquatic species. <br />(Lukacs, Schmidt) <br />On April 14, 2015 the Division provided notice of the permit application to Colorado Parks and <br />Wildlife. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has not identified any conflict between the proposed <br />Mining and Reclamation Plans and potential wildlife present on the site. The Applicant has <br />affirmatively stated that they would work with the local office of the Colorado Parks and <br />Wildlife to minimize impacts to wildlife. <br />Pursuant to Rule 6.4.8(1), the application provides a description of the general effect during and <br />after the proposed operation on the existing wildlife of the area, including but not limited to <br />temporary and permanent loss of food and habitat, interference with migratory routes, and the <br />general effect on the wildlife from increased human activity. The Application addressed the <br />requirements of Rule 6.4.8(1) to the Division's satisfaction. <br />Impacts to aquatic species will be minimized through restrictions in the Mining and Reclamation <br />Plans. Mining and reclamation activities will not occur within 100 feet of the banks of the <br />Middle Fork of the South Platter River (River) and all disturbance will be outside of the 100 year <br />floodplain. The proposed River crossing will be used to transport equipment between the north <br />and south sides of the River; mined materials are not allowed to be transported across the River. <br />Impacts to wildlife will be minimized by limiting the maximum allowed disturbance to 2.86 <br />acres. Of the 2.86 acres of maximum allowed disturbance, the active mining area will account for <br />0.9 acres of disturbance at any given time. The designated post -mining land use of wildlife <br />habitat will account for 26.07 acres of the reclaimed mine site. Approximately 4.67 acres of the <br />mine site were historically mined and do not currently contain topsoil or vegetation. The <br />historically mined areas will be reclaimed and will receive topsoil and vegetation, making these <br />areas more suitable for wildlife habitat. <br />6. Concerns regarding archeological and paleontological resources. (Lukacs) <br />The Act and Rules do not specifically address potential archeological and paleontological <br />resources at a mining operation. Such issues are under the jurisdiction of History Colorado. <br />