2018-01-31_REVISION - C2009087 (30)

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Climate The climate of the region has the characteristics of a continental highland region: low precipitation, large fluctuations in diurnal temperatures, low humidity, moderate wind, and high levels of exposure to sunlight. Annual precipitation is generally between 16 and 19 inches based on records from the Seneca II -W Mine. Vegetation Vegetation in the permit area is predominantly sagebrush grassland, mountain brush, and reclaimed mine lands. The disturbance area of the PSCM contains reclaimed lands, and previously undisturbed sagebrush/grassland vegetation. Land Use Rangeland (sheep and cattle grazing) is the dominant land use in the permit area and adjacent area. Other land uses are: cropland (hay fields), wildlife habitat, industrial/commercial (mining, oil wells, electric transmission lines), developed water resources (reservoirs), recreation (hunting and wildlife viewing) and residential. The approved postmining land uses for the PSCM are rangeland, wildlife habitat, and recreational use. Wildlife The PSCM permit area and adjacent area provide habitat for the following types of wildlife: big game, small mammals, upland game birds, raptors, breeding birds (song birds), amphibians, reptiles, and fish. Fish habitat is in the Yampa River. The following vegetation communities provide habitat for birds and mammals: grasslands, sagebrush shrub lands, mountain brush, and isolated pockets of aspen and coniferous forest. Potential raptor nesting habitat is provided by cliffs and rock outcrops and scattered box elder and cottonwood trees. Habitat for all types of wildlife is provided in mesic bottomlands and riparian areas that occur along larger drainages, and by wetland vegetation that occurs around ponds and impoundments. The PSCM permit area adjoins a reclaimed mine, the Yoast Mine (C1994082) and will incorporate a portion of the reclaimed Seneca II Mine (C1982057). Annual wildlife monitoring was conducted for the two reclaimed mines from 1994 to 2007. Wildlife baseline studies were conducted for PSCM in 2008. Details of the wildlife studies are in Exhibit 2.04.11 E1 of the permit application. Wildlife observed during the monitoring and baseline studies included big game, upland game birds, raptors, breeding birds (song birds), and small mammals. The 2008 baseline survey found 62 bird species, 11 mammal species, and one amphibian species (boreal chorus frog). Bird species diversity was highest in the mountain brush habitat (22 species) and grassland habitat (21 species). The most abundant bird species was the cliff swallow which tended to occur in large flocks and nesting colonies. Tables 2.04.11-T6, permit section 2.04.11, and section 2.05.6 have been updated to reflect changes to species of concern.