2018-11-05_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981044

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Williams Fork Mines Prepared by: R. Reilley M.S. GISP C1981044 5 November 2018 16 Yampa River/Round Bottom alluvial valley floors. For additional specific findings concerning these alluvial valley floors, please see Section B.XI. 13. The Division hereby approves the post-mining land use of the operation. It was determined that rangeland/wildlife, pastureland, and cropland meet the requirements of Rule 4.16 for the permit area (2.07.6(2)(i)). 14. Specific approvals have been granted or are proposed. These approvals are addressed in the following section, Section B (2.07.6(2)(m)). 15. The Division finds that the activities proposed by the applicant would not affect the continued existence of endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of their critical habitats, or in the case of Bald eagles, “may affect, but not likely to adversely affect” due to potential collisions with power lines. Due to the proximity of golden eagle nests within the permit area as identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Division previously attached Stipulation No. 4 to the permit. This stipulation imposed seasonal limitations on surface disturbances near the nests. This stipulation was withdrawn during the review of Permit Renewal RN03 as its requirements were incorporated into Section 4.18 of the permit (2.07.6(2)(n)). Updates to state and federally listed species considered to be threatened or endangered were provided during the adequacy process associated with the RN7 permitting action. The updated information regarding Threatened and Endangered Species will be placed in Appendix 15A. 16. The Division has contacted the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation Fees Branch. Checks of OSM’s Applicant/Violator System were conducted on 6 April 2018 and on 10 October 2018. The permittee was current in the payment of Reclamation fees as required by 30 CFR Chapter VII, subchapter R (2.07.6(2)(o)). Section B – Findings and Specific Approvals Required by Rule 4 Section 2.07.6(2)(m) requires that the Division make all specific approvals required in Rule 4 prior to approving a permit. The following findings and specific approvals are required by Rule 4. I. Roads - Rule 4.03 The permittee presents a discussion of roads in Section 4.03 of Volume 2 of the permit application. Road locations and designs are presented in Exhibit 17 and on Map 27. The Division reviewed these designs for compliance with the design and performance standards of Rule 4.03. There are approximately 1.8 miles of haul road, 3.0 miles of access road, and 2.5 miles of light- use roads. Most roads found at the Williams Fork Mines are located on gentle slopes of less than 5 percent grade. Only light-use roads which give access to monitoring sites are found on steeper slopes. The permittee is not proposing any new roads. All roads are existing structures.