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occur primarily on uplands and are formed in materials weathered in place from soft shale. <br />These clayey soils are moderately deep to deep, well drained and usually contain less than 35 <br />percent rock fragments. Permeability is low, shrink/swell potential is high and potential frost <br />action is moderate to high. These soils are used for rangeland, non -irrigated cropland, and <br />irrigated hay and pastureland. <br />Vegetation <br />The permit area is situated below a western spruce/fir forest within both a mountain <br />mahogany/scrub oak complex and a sagebrush steppe vegetation zone. The lower portions of <br />Twentymile Park were historically dominated by low sagebrush community which has since <br />given way to cultivated vegetation types and other agricultural practices. Somewhat higher <br />elevations are dominated by big sagebrush or mountain shrub communities. The highest <br />elevations and/or steep north facing slopes surrounding Twentymile Park are dominated by <br />aspen, mountain shrub, and occasionally, spruce/fir communities. <br />Within the permit area, existing vegetation is comprised of seven plant communities consisting <br />of aspen, mountain shrub, sagebrush, sagebrush/meadow, pasture, cropland, and meadow. Of <br />these, only four may be disturbed by surface facilities: sagebrush, sagebrush/meadow, pasture, <br />and cropland. <br />Wildlife <br />Numerous wildlife species inhabit the general area. The most predominant are elk, mule deer <br />and Columbian sharptail grouse. Other wildlife species include: black bear, cougar, rabbit, <br />coyote, bobcat, red fox, rodents, bats, skunks, waterfowl, amphibians and reptiles. Two golden <br />eagle nests are located on sandstone cliffs adjacent to the disturbed area within the permit <br />boundary. There is critical winter habitat for elk, an elk migration corridor and elk calving <br />grounds and critical sage grouse habitat within and adjacent to the permit area. Sage grouse <br />critical habitat is located outside of the disturbed area. <br />Cultural and Historical Resources <br />Previous cultural and historic resources found within the permit area include four historic sites <br />and one prehistoric or protohistoric site. Two of the historic sites are undistinguished <br />homesteads with no important architectural features and which are not associated with persons <br />important in history. Another historic site is an uninhabited cabin with a corral. The Colorado <br />State Historical Preservation Officer determined that this uninhabited cabin is an undistinguished <br />structure with no important architectural significance and with no associations with persons <br />important in history. The fourth historic site, the Foidel Canyon Schoolhouse, is listed in the <br />National Register of Historic Places (Site 5RT192), and is located in the general area of the main <br />facilities along Foidel Creek. It will not be undermined or subsided and is protected <br />appropriately. The prehistoric site (5RT345) is a rock art site located on the outcrop of the <br />Twentymile Sandstone directly north of the main mine facility area. Mining approved under PR - <br />02 (Southwest Mining District) undermined and subsided 5RT345. Stipulation No. 33 was <br />attached to the PR -02 approval and Twentymile Coal Company took appropriate measures, as <br />determined by the United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM), prior to undermining this <br />Foidel Creek Mine 13 February 25, 2016 <br />