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best reflects the current post -mining land use of the permit area and has been <br />implemented (currently horse grazing takes place on the reclaimed mine site). <br />This change in the approved post -mining land use did not necessitate significant changes <br />in the reclamation plan measures proposed or undertaken during the final reclamation of <br />the coal mine. No changes to backfilling, grading, retopsoiling or revegetation measures <br />were proposed from the original 1993 reclamation plan. <br />Rule 4.16.3 addresses performance standard requirements where alternative land use <br />designations have been requested. These requirements are addressed below. <br />Compatibility <br />Rule 4.16.3(1) requires that alternative land uses may be approved if the proposed post - <br />mining land use is compatible with adjacent land use. Currently, land uses on Ewing <br />Mesa include the two reclaimed mine sites (Carbon Junction Mine and the Ewing Mesa <br />#1 Mine), the adjacent Helmricks sand and gravel operation (not immediately adjacent to <br />the Carbon Junction Mine permit area), and the Hendricks equestrian center and <br />residences. No agriculture is currently practiced on Ewing Mesa. <br />These land uses are compatible with the La Plata County planning designations. As there <br />are no state or federal lands within the permit area, no state or federal land management <br />agencies have any valid interest in the land use of this property. Adjacent BLM surface <br />lands have been classified as ungulate winter range with recognition of mineral <br />development and extraction land uses. <br />Post -Mining Land Use Feasibility <br />Where necessary, the rules require a feasibility demonstration of the post -mining land use <br />related to projected land use trends and markets. This demonstration and accompanying <br />plans are not necessary, as the landowner is the developer and operator of the ventures <br />taking place on the property. As such there will be no outside interests who will dictate <br />land use trends and/or markets. Landowners are entitled to conduct operations and <br />businesses on their own property which are consistent with the approved general land <br />uses. Designation of an alternative land use in no way hinders reclamation. Reclamation <br />conducted was consistent with the original reclamation plan where wildlife habitat and <br />agriculture were the approved post -mining land uses. That reclamation plan <br />implementation successfully addresses the requirements of the proposed post -mining land <br />use of dryland pasture. <br />Public Health and Safety <br />The proposed uses would not present actual or probable hazard to public health or safety, <br />nor actual or probable threat of water flow diminution or pollution. The successful <br />reclamation of the Carbon Junction Mine, with the attendant demonstration of <br />Abridged Permit Document 5-19 Permit Revision PROI 9/2014 <br />