2017-03-23_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A

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RULE 2 PERMITS Ranching for Wildlife Program. The original area encompassed approximately 30,200 acres, of which, the majority is deeded private land owned by Colowyo. With the expansion of the permit area into the Morgan Creek Ranch (MCR), the ranch total acreage will be reduced and encompass approximately 22,000 acres adjacent to the approved permit boundary. The historical land use of the ranch within the permit boundary was sheep and cattle cattle grazing. Livestock grazing is limited to mid-May through mid-October due to climatic conditions and a relatively short growing season. Rotational grazing was implemented using well-maintained boundary and cross fences, along with water developments. Competition for forage resources between wildlife and livestock was an issue in the past for landowners, wildlife managers, and land management agencies. Rotational grazing and continuous habitat improvements have enabled Colowyo to continue successfully managing both livestock grazing and quality hunting in the MCR. Hunting success on the ranch has been excellent and is expected to continue outside of the permit area. Population numbers and use vary considerably throughout the year depending on factors such as winter snow depth, summer range conditions and hunting pressure on the ranch, as well as surrounding areas. The objective of the ranch has been to manage and create habitat for all resident game species including elk, deer, blue grouse, sharp -tailed grouse and sage grouse, as well as other game and non -game species, while providing quality big game hunting opportunities on a controlled basis to the public. In addition, a priority on the ranch is to provide increased winter habitat for elk and deer. Working with the CPW, harvest numbers are determined mutually with consideration of Data Analysis Unit DAU objectives for the MCR RFW program. Local conditions on the ranch may allow for population increases on the ranch but overall within the DAU, CPW's management of both deer and elk herds are to reduce them according to current objective levels. The proposed post -mine land use for the Collom permit expansion area will be rangeland condition capable of supporting a diversity of wildlife with targeted areas (based primarily on hydrological stability) for grassland and sagebrush steppe (sage grouse habitat) areas as described in 2.05.4. Colowyo Technical Revision 72 was approved in 2009; the rangeland category for post -mine land use was refined into two subcategories defined by post -mining topography (slope) and site-specific suitability for either livestock or wildlife. The principles set forth in the revised reclamation plan have been applied to the Collom reclamation plan and bond release criteria (Section 2.05.4 and 4.15). As described in Section 2.04.11, the Collom area supports substantial populations of deer, elk, sage grouse, non -game birds, raptors, and numerous other wildlife species. Limited pasturelands are found within the proposed permit area but are not currently targeted for disturbance. These pasturelands have been historically grazed by livestock, especially sheep and cattle, during the spring, summer, and fall. Reclaimed mine lands are now becoming an increasingly important land use component within the permit area. Substantial acreage of this type is now available for use by local wildlife populations and will become increasingly important as mining continues. These reclaimed areas are becoming the habitat of choice for local deer and elk populations during the fall and spring months and winter months when snow cover is not a limiting factor. Land Condition Capability and Productivity The present condition of the permit area can be described as good to fair for rangeland conditions. A trend toward improvement has taken place over much of the area due to reduced livestock grazing since the land was obtained by Colowyo. Historically, grazing has not been allowed within the Colowyo permit area since fences were constructed in 1977. Grazing within the permit boundary may be initiated should Colowyo feel and demonstrate that there will be a benefit to reclaimed lands. Collom— Rule 2, Page 6 Revision Date: 3/13/15 Revision No.: PR -04