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summer worn on they became significantly more cautious and fewer animals were seen. These <br />data suggest that the impacts of mining on prairie dog populations are short term and that the <br />dryland pasture reclamation associated with this site has resulted in a return or even an increase <br />in pre -mining population levels. <br />A second prairie dog colony was found on a dry, unirrigated knoll found on the north portion of <br />the Garvey Property. Working on this site in the early spring of 2009 resulted in the sighting of <br />about two dozen Prairie Dogs. A third prairie dog town was found on the western portion of the <br />Meehan Property. This site appears to have historically been irrigated and the establishment of <br />this Prairie Dog town appears to have largely occurred during the past 8 to 15 years, since <br />historical aerial photographs show the site was extensively irrigated and given the growth of the <br />vegetation, in this area, this colony appears to have been established relatively recently. We <br />observed about 10-15 animals on this site. The fourth prairie dog colony observed is located on <br />the Glasier property. This site is similar to the changing land use patterns associated with the <br />Meehan Property in that historically this area was irrigated pasture and the Prairie Dog burrows <br />are of somewhat recent origin, although they are older than those found on the Meehan Property. <br />The burrows in this area also relatively widely spaced as compared with the other three areas <br />wherein prairie dog towns where observed. Approximately 20-30 prairie dogs were observed <br />using this site. <br />Plan to Mitigate Impact of Mining on Burrowing Owl <br />There are no studies available in the literature regarding the impacts of surface mining activities <br />on the Burrowing Owl. However, there is the potential for Burrowing Owls to occur in this area <br />and for surface mining activities to adversely impact this species. Accordingly, WFC submits the <br />following plan which will ensure that impacts to this specie are avoided and minimized to the <br />greatest extent operationally possible. Disturbance within 300 yards of the four Prairie Dog <br />towns shown on Map 2.04.11-1, New Horizon North Mine - Fish and Wildlife Resource Map <br />will be strictly monitored and controlled during the mating, nesting and while any potential <br />chicks are on the nests during the period from 15 March through 31 July, when the chicks leave <br />the nest and become independent. This means that special monitoring and or operational <br />practices regarding mining operations will be in place during this window. There will be no <br />mining related disturbance to the active Prairie Dog towns during this window when the <br />abandoned burrows might be used for nesting by the Burrowing Owl. <br />In order to address potential conflicts between nesting Burrowing Owls and mining operations, <br />WFC has obtained the advice of the CDOW and will be using various operational options. <br />Impacts associated with topsoil removal and mining operations will be altered during this non- <br />disturbance window and all topsoil removal or mining operations within 300 yards of an active <br />Prairie Dog town will occur either outside of this window or only once it has been determined <br />that there are no active Burrowing Owl nests in this buffer zone. The most logical mining option <br />Section 2.05.6(2) Page 3 Sept. 2015 (TR -11) <br />