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expansion area, meet the definition of prime farmland. <br />Based on information provided in the Permit, the Division has determined that alluvial valley <br />floors exist within the permit or adjacent areas. These alluvial valley floors are known as <br />Goodspring Creek, Wilson Creek, Lower Elkhorn Creek, Morgan Creek and the lower portions <br />of Collom Gulch. There is a potential that Goodspring Creek and Wilson Creek may be affected <br />by mining operations. The Division finds, however, that operations and reclamation activities <br />comply with the requirements of Rules 2.06.8(3)(c), 2.06.8(4), 2.06.8(5), and 2.07.6(2)(k). For <br />additional specific findings concerning these alluvial valley floors, please see Section B, Item <br />XVII of this document. <br />I. Land Use. The Division approved the post -mining land use of the operation as rangeland. It <br />was determined that rangeland and wildlife use meet the requirements of Rule 4.16 for the permit <br />area [in compliance with Rule 2.07.6(2)(1)] . <br />J. Specific Approvals. Specific approvals required under Rule 4 have been granted. These <br />approvals are addressed in Section B of this document [in compliance with Rule 2.07.6(2)(m)]. <br />K. Endangered or Threatened Species. The Division finds that the activities proposed by CCC <br />would not affect the continued existence of endangered or threatened species or result in the <br />destruction or adverse modification of their critical habitats (in compliance with <br />Rule 2.07.6(2)(n)). CCC has worked extensively with OSM and other agencies to develop <br />mitigation strategies to offset disturbance of wildlife habitat in the Collom area. Two categories <br />of wildlife warrant further discussion: fish and the GRSG. <br />Section 4.8.1.6 of the EA states that, "As there are no perennial streams within the Project Area, <br />no direct impacts to the fisheries near the Project Area are anticipated to occur. Implementation <br />of design features (Section 2.3.16) would reduce the likelihood of sediment or a spill of <br />petroleum products or hazardous materials from reaching fish -bearing streams." <br />With PR -03, the USFWS found that a significant portion of the Collom permit expansion area is <br />within the Preliminary Priority Habitat for the GRSG designated by CPW. To address this, CCC <br />proposed to mitigate impacts to GRSG and other species with the following commitments: <br />• Avoid direct disturbance of active leks <br />• Revise grazing management in the area to benefit habitat <br />• Other commitments discussed in Section 2.05.6(2). <br />With the revisions to the mining plan submitted with PR -04, there is still the potential for loss of <br />GRSG habitat (albeit lesser impacts than predicted with the PR -03 plan). To mitigate these <br />impacts, CCC has marked all wire fences in areas of high grouse use in the permit area to reduce <br />grouse collisions with fences during flight (Stipulation 16, which has been complied with). CCC <br />PR -04, Colowyo Coal Mine C1981-019 33 August 2016 <br />