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X. Protection of Fish, Wildlife and Related Environmental Values <br />Baseline fish and wildlife information is contained in Exhibit 2.04.11-E 1. One of the <br />proposed postmining land uses at the PSCM is wildlife habitat. Features of the <br />reclamation plan that are designed for protecting or restoring wildlife habitat are: <br />• Using beneficial native plants in the reclamation seed mix, <br />• Establishing shrubs for cover and roosting areas in the reclaimed areas, <br />• Not disturbing lands in buffer zones in bottomlands, and <br />• Preserving or restoring surface water resources. <br />PSCM developed a fish and wildlife mitigation plan in consultation with the Colorado <br />Division of Wildlife (CDOW). The plan is provided in Section 2.05.6(2) of the permit <br />application. The plan contains the following fish and wildlife protection measures. <br />Wildlife protection measures in operations include: <br />• Minimizing mining -related disturbance, <br />• Designing and constructing powerlines in accordance with REA Bulletin 61- <br />10, <br />• Providing passages for big game underneath conveyors, <br />• Posting speed limits on all mine roads, <br />• Fencing electrical substations and other potentially hazardous installations, <br />• Preventing, controlling, and suppressing range, forest, and coal fires, and <br />• Properly handling and storing mine waste materials. <br />General wildlife protection measures require PSCM to promptly report to CDRMS the <br />discovery in the permit area of: <br />• Any occurrence of, or critical habitat of, an animal or plant species that is <br />threatened, endangered or is proposed for listing as threatened or endangered <br />by CPW or the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. <br />• Any raptor or nest of a raptor that was not previously reported by PSCM. <br />Big game protection measures require PSCM to: <br />• Post a vehicle speed limit of 25 miles per hour on access roads and haul roads, <br />• Advise employees of the importance and need for adhering to the speed limit <br />for protecting big game and for safety, and <br />• Schedule employee shift changes as much as possible so that big game/vehicle <br />collisions are reduced during the four hour time period after sunset. <br />A protection measure for Columbian sharp -tailed grouse and greater sage -grouse <br />requires PSCM to minimize impacts to these grouse that are known to exist or are <br />discovered within one mile of the disturbance area by locating access roads for minimal <br />impacts to known leks, if possible. <br />21 <br />