2018-07-09_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (24)

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RULE 2 PERMITS 2.05.5 Post -mining Land Uses The implementation of the detailed reclamation plan as contained in Section 2.05.4 will restore the disturbed land to the pre -mining use of rangeland. The land use of rangeland, especially within the region of the Colowyo Mine is comprised of the two primary subcomponents "livestock grazing or grazingland" and "wildlife habitat or sage grouse brood rearing habitat". Replacement of grazingland will be facilitated by targeting revegetation efforts toward grassland communities. Because grasslands are effective for erosion control, this community / land use will be implemented on those lands with slopes greater than 10%. Replacement of wildlife habitat (sage grouse brood rearing habitat) will be facilitated by targeting revegetation efforts toward the re- establishment of a sagebrush steppe community. Because sagebrush steppe is less able to preclude erosion, it will be limited to those lands with slopes less than 10%. Furthermore, certain small areas with slopes flatter than 10% will receive grassland targeted efforts for reasons given in Section 2.05.4. These land use subcomponents will be specifically accomplished by the regrading of the spoil to create approximate original contour, restoration of drainage patterns, and reapplication of the topsoil followed by seeding of the appropriate seed mixture for the designated land use subcomponent. Erosion will be controlled on the newly seeded areas through the use of contour furrows, terraces, banding, and/or other metrics until the vegetation has sufficiently established. The lands will also be protected from noxious weeds or other biological processes such as cattle grazing until the stands are sufficiently established to support grazing pressure. The proposed land use of rangeland for the reclaimed area is identical to the pre -mining land use found in the area. Colowyo owns all but approximately 1,109 acres (469 of which is Bureau of Land Management land and 640 is State Land) of the land to be disturbed by the mining and reclamation operations. No change in land use is expected in the proposed land use categories. Therefore, the proposed land use will be consistent with the historic land use on lands within the current permit area. Specifically, Colowyo proposes to reclaim the mined areas to a rangeland condition capable of supporting both domestic livestock and wildlife. One of the objectives of the reclamation plan and grazing management plan will be to provide grazing for livestock. The other objective will be to restore and improve habitats for deer, elk, and sage grouse. Comments from the Bureau of Land Management and the State of Colorado approving the proposed postmining land use are provided in Exhibit 1, Documents and Leases. The observation of hundreds of deer and elk utilizing reclaimed areas at Colowyo confirm our success in meeting these goals. It is generally recognized that the herbaceous communities of grasses and forbs found on older reclaimed mining areas and other similar areas in northwest Colorado have in fact attracted these important wildlife species from surrounding native rangelands. Therefore, even though the grassland targeted areas are designed for livestock grazing, they exhibit a component of wildlife habitat as well. Shrubs will also be replaced through seeding techniques to meet applicable regulatory requirements as described in Section 4.15.8. The post -mining land use is graphically shown on the Post -mining Topography Map (Map 19). Rule 2 Permits 2.05-41 Revision Date: 5/25/18 Revision No.: RN -07