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70 <br />resources during the life of the operation. A description of the fish and <br />wildlife resources in the permit area and adjacent areas is shown in Exhibit <br />16, Fish and Wildlife Information. Because the New Elk Mine is an <br />underground operation, it is possible for NECC to minimize the total <br />disturbed area for the surface facilities and structures and thereby minimize <br />the disturbances to habitats, which are used by fish and wildlife. Proper <br />location of new additional structures such as fans, access and light use roads, as <br />reviewed in Section 2.05.4 of this application, will be carried out to ensure <br />minimized disturbance to habitat. Due to the maturity of the New Elk <br />operation, additional required disturbed areas are expected to be very small in <br />size and thereby will serve to mitigate the impact on the fish and wildlife of the <br />area. Enhancement of the habitat in the vicinity of the disturbed area is <br />increased during the life of the mine due to limited access to those areas, <br />which are disturbed by the surface mining operations associated with the New <br />Elk Mine. Return of the land to its pre -mining land use after reclamation, as <br />described in Section 2.05.5, will enhance the fish and wildlife resources <br />for the permit area and adjacent areas. Enhancement of this area is due <br />primarily to limited access, which NECC currently plans to continue to <br />utilize for its mining operations. <br />Reclamation procedures as reviewed in Section 2.05.4 and associated <br />revegetation procedures will enhance habitat for use by fish and wildlife. <br />During the operation of the New Elk Mine, particular care is currently being <br />exercised to minimize the effect on the wildlife, which utilize the area <br />surrounding the New Elk Mine. In fact, any power lines which are constructed <br />during the permit term will be built following the Rural Electrification Bulletin <br />No. 61-10 to protect eagles and other large birds from electrocution on power <br />lines. Figures 17 and 17a, Raptor Proof Power pole Design, shows a typical <br />design of these power lines. The effect to the stream and riparian communities <br />associated with the Purgatoire River and its drainages will be minimized during <br />the life of the operation. <br />Disturbance of soils and vegetation during the mine operation will be minimized. <br />The inherent advantages to underground mining will be utilized to minimize these <br />disturbances. Surface structures and facilities associated with the New Elk Mine <br />do not occupy a significant portion of the total affected area. <br />During the collection and preparation of data to show the existing environmental <br />resources at and surrounding the New Elk Mine, the Operator has not encountered <br />any threatened or endangered species of plants or animals, which will be affected <br />by the New Elk Mine operation. <br />Bald eagles have been reported in the vicinity, but there are no known active or <br />inactive eagle nests in the mine affected area or its immediate surrounding areas. <br />Therefore, no impact to threatened or endangered species is expected. <br />Section 2.05 RN -6 10/17/2016 <br />