2019-05-29_REVISION - C1981018 (11)

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36 XII. Post-Mining Land Use – Rule 4.16 Post-mining land use is discussed under Section II.J of Vol. 3 of the permit application. The approved post-mining land uses are livestock grazing and wildlife habitat. No specific approvals are granted to the applicant under this section. XIII. Protection of Fish, Wildlife and Related Environmental Values Section II.G and II.H of Vol. 3 and Section IV.M of Vol. 4 of the permit application discusses the protection of fish, wildlife and related environmental values. In order to minimize disturbance to wintering mule deer and elk, the following stipulation was attached to the permit. The stipulation was recommended by BLM, pursuant to TR- 38. The following specific findings are required. A. Wildlife habitat is a planned post-mining land use. The applicant has selected appropriate plant species and distributions to benefit fish and wildlife (4.18(5)(i)). B. Pursuant to Rule 4.18(5)(g), the Division has approved the use of certain selective and broad-spectrum herbicides of varying persistence, for application in accordance with label specifications for specific uses. Applications include limited use of 2,4-D for control of annual weeds on reclaimed areas, and use of “Oust” and “Roundup” for cheatgrass control and other uses as specified in the permit. XIV. Protection of Underground Mining No specific approvals are granted to the applicant under this section. XV. Subsidence Control Subsidence Survey, Monitoring, and Control Plans are addressed in Section III.A.7, Volume 4, of the permit application. The operator has completed a survey of structures and renewable resource lands existing within the permit area as delineated on Map 1. Structures of concern include portions of Rio Blanco County Road 65, a 138 kV powerline, and stock ponds (Raven Park Reservoir, Halandras Reservoir No.1, Red Wash Reservoir No.2 and Red Wash Reservoir No.3). Projected impacts, monitoring plans and mitigation measures are addressed within the application. County Road 65 was visually monitored on a daily basis by the operator during periods of undermining by “D” seam longwall operations, and repairs were made as necessary. Road segments subject to subsidence were posted with appropriate warning signs. Similar