2018-07-09_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (59)

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RULE 2 PERMITS 2.04.3 General Requirements: Site Description And Land Use Information The location of all of the existing land uses within the permit area and adjacent areas for the mining operation can be found on the Land Use Map (Map 17). Although part of the area has been previously mined by underground techniques and part currently is mined by surface methods, the present dominant land use within the permit area is rangeland. Some limited amount of land adjacent areas is used as cropland and pastureland. The land use designations in the permit and adjacent areas are confirmed by the Moffat County Land Use Map which was prepared by the Soil Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. As stated above, another use is found on much of the permit boundary, yet it has not been included in land use categories as defined under existing Colorado regulations for coal mining. This use is "mined land" and is one of the current land uses within the permit boundary. This land use results from the fact that the permit boundary covers both undisturbed land and lands which are presently subject to surface coal mining and reclamation operations. The current mining operations of Colowyo were initiated in 1976; this mine employees surface mining techniques as described in Sections 2.05.2 and 2.05.3. Two underground coal mining operations, known as the Red Wing Mine and the Streeter Mine, were previously operated in the area. The portals were sealed by concrete and are covered by the Streeter Fill. Map 31, Red Wing Mine provides additional information. The areas designated as rangeland adjacent to the permit area are grazed by either sheep or cattle during the spring, summer and fall depending on the grazing plan. No evidence could be found that indicated the land use of rangeland had changed within the preceding five years. As described in Section 2.04.11, the rangeland also supports substantial populations of deer, elk, sage grouse, non -game birds, raptors, and numerous other wildlife species. Cropland adjacent to, the permit area has been historically planted to winter wheat and alfalfa grass mixtures; the grain is harvested the following summer with the hay also being harvested at that time. The wheat fields then lie fallow the next year to allow the soil moisture to recharge. The cropping pattern in the region is to alternate years of harvest with years of leaving the ground in fallow. A limited amount of livestock grazing is done on these fields after they are harvested in the late summer and fall. Wheat production averages 30 bushels per acre during crop years, and irrigated hayland averages 3 tons per acre per year. Reclaimed minelands 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 during the last several years since the land was obtained by Colowyo. Grazing has not been allowed within the initial 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. Rule 2 Permits 2.04.3-1 Revision Date: 4/7/17 Revision No.: RN -07