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<br />Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance July 2018 <br />Permit Renewal No. 7 P a g e | 52 <br />plan. The entire permit area is designated as winter range for both mule deer and elk. <br />B. Sage Grouse <br /> <br />Sage grouse mitigation measures include elimination of grazing in the permit area and reduction <br />of grazing in adjacent lands. As described in other sections of this document, with TR-82 Colowyo <br />provided a detailed plan for the variable replacement depth of topsoil on the backfilled and re- <br />graded portions of the West Pit and South Taylor Pit. Related to the variable topsoil, Colowyo <br />designed a seeding program whereas flatter slopes were seeded to sagebrush steppe, which is <br />known to enhance Sage Grouse habitat. In the Collom Area, two Greater Sage-Grouse and two <br />Columbian sharp-tailed grouse lek sites would be impacted by mining disturbances. Based on <br />survey information captured and discussed in Section 2.04.11(4), 2.05.4, and 2.05.6(2) of Volume <br />15 in the PAP, the impact to the overall grouse populations in the area can reasonably be described <br />as minor. <br />C. Golden Eagles and Other Raptors <br /> <br />Several species of raptors were observed by contractor personnel (VTN, Colorado, Inc.) during <br />baseline data collection in 1974-1977; many were year-round residents (Section 2.04.11 of the <br />PAP). Golden eagle nests were sighted along Good Spring Creek within the permit area. Raptor <br />sightings are shown on Maps 15 and 15A of the PAP. Limited surveys have been conducted since <br />1977. <br /> <br />Locations of possible raptor nesting sites within the Collom area have also been included in the <br />maps discussed in this section. Potential raptor nest sites that could possibly be impacted by mine <br />related activities will be relocated to a nearby area not targeted for disturbance. <br /> <br />Electric power poles located within the permit area are constructed to minimize potential electrical <br />hazards to large raptors. Persistent pesticides are not be used on the mine site. <br />D. Specific Findings Required by Rule 4.18 <br /> <br />Wildlife habitat is a planned postmining land use. Colowyo has selected appropriate plant species <br />and distributions to benefit wildlife (Rule 4.18(5)(i)). <br />XVII. Protection of Underground Mining - Rule 4.19 <br /> <br />Colowyo will conduct no coal mining closer than 500 feet to any point of either an active or <br />abandoned underground mine. Underground coal mines have been operated in the past by entities <br />other than Colowyo, as discussed in Section 2.04.4 of the PAP, but their locations were on the <br />northern side of Streeter Draw, well over 500 feet from present Colowyo mining. The surface <br />mining activities of Colowyo have been designed so as not to endanger any present or future <br />operations of either surface or underground mining operations (Rules 4.19(1) and 4.22.4(1)).