2021-08-09_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (5)

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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Rule 4 Performance Standards 4-33 Revision Date: 8/5/21 Revision No.: MR-235 the expansion of the Axial Basin Substation are not associated with Colowyo’s mining activities, and will not be required to be permitted nor bonded for in accordance with Rule 3.02.1(2). In 2018, approximately 22 acres within Colowyo’s permit boundary (outside of the disturbance boundary) was affected by the wild land fire caused by a lighting strike. The location of the fire is shown on Figure 4.12-6. The area that was burned is mostly comprised of pinyon juniper and low- density sagebrush. Because the fire was not related to Colowyo’s mining activities, Colowyo, as the surface landowner will reseed or managed the post-fire area, as it deems appropriate. In 2019, the surface landowner replaced a culvert under the Taylor Creek Access Road (please see Map 25C for location of the road) to support long-term access up the Taylor Creek drainage. Minimal ground disturbance was associated with replacing the culvert. Since the activity is related to the surface landowner, it is not permitted and bonded for in accordance with Rule 3.02.1(2). In 2019, approximately 13.5 acres within Colowyo’s permit boundary (outside of the disturbance boundary) adjacent to the Collom Haul Road was affected by the wild land fire caused by high winds slapping power lines together. The location of the fire is shown on Figure 4.12-7. The area that was burned is mostly comprised of sagebrush. Because the fire was not related to Colowyo’s mining activities, Colowyo, as the surface landowner will reseed or managed the post-fire area, as it deems appropriate. Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. owns and operates a 138kV power line that traversers through the east portion of the permit boundary. The 138kV line runs north to south through the reclaimed East Pit, and just east of the reclaimed Section 16 Pit. To ensure access to all pole locations along the power line for maintenance and emergency repairs, Tri-State will be improving existing ranch roads and/or constructing new roads to access their power line within the permit boundary. Most of this activity will take place south of the reclaimed East Pit and outside of Colowyo’s ground disturbance and reclamation areas. Nonetheless, some of these access locations will traverse across Phase III released areas (Section 16 reclamation areas) and reclaimed areas including reclamation units EP056 and EP060 (please see annual reclamation report maps for the location of these reclamation units). For the approximate alignment for this access road please see Map 22A. Since these ground disturbing activities are not related to Colowyo’s mining activities, the roads will not be permitted and bonded for in accordance with Rule 3.02.1(2). In July of 2020, a wild land fire (named the Streeter Fire) started burning within Colowyo’s permit boundary (outside of the disturbance boundary) north of the lower segment of the Streeter Ditch and Streeter Pond. The fire continued to burn north outside of Colowyo’s permit boundary. The area that was burned within the permit boundary is mostly comprised of pinyon junipers and sagebrush. Because the fire was not related to Colowyo’s mining activities, Colowyo, as the mine operator is not responsible for starting the fire nor managing the areas burned post fire. The surface landowners impacted by the fire will manage the post-fire area, as they deem appropriate. In 2021, White River Electric Association upgraded their existing power line within the permit boundary and added to this existing line along Moffat County Road 51 to service customers in the area of Wilson Creek. All ground disturbing activities associated with the upgraded power line and the new power line construction is associated with White River Electrical Association and not Colowyo; therefore, it is not permitted for Colowyo nor required to be bonded for in accordance with Rule 3.02.1(2).