2021-08-06_PERMIT FILE - C1982056A (2)

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The design and construction of any powerlines for the Foidel Creek Mine will be in accordance with REA Bulletin 61-10, Powerline Contacts by Eagles and other large birds, or in alternative guidance manuals approved by CDRMS. Also, TC will: 1) Not use persistent pesticides on the permit area during surface mining and reclamation operations, unless approved by CDRMS 2) To the extent possible, prevent, control and suppress range, forest and coal fires which are not approved by CDRMS as part of a management plan As indicated in the response to Rule 2.04.11, several years of baseline aquatic monitoring have been completed. The CPW feels that this data is sufficient and additional data is repetitive. However, water quality and chemistry will continue to be monitored as set forth in the response to Rule 2.05.6(3). Big Game To reduce the potential for big game/vehicle collisions on mine access and haul roads, TC will post a maximum speed limit of 35 mph for Mine road. Employees will be advised of the importance of adhering to this speed limit in order to reduce the chance of big game mortality, vehicle damage, and personnel injury. To the extent possible, employee shift changes will also be maintained so that peak mine traffic levels do not coincide with the time period of highest potential for big game/vehicle collisions (sunset to four hours after, see response to Rule 2.04.11). Because of the importance of establishing information on the baseline level of big game road -kills (see response to Rule 2.04.11), TC monitored big game road -kills along the haul road in 1985. Haul road monitoring continued through 1985, which was the first year of expected major increases in haul truck traffic. Monitoring consisted of haul truck drivers reporting any dead deer or elk observed along the road or off the shoulder of the road. Big game/vehicle collisions were reported on a standard form available to truck drivers. Monitoring was scheduled once a week. Recorded carcasses were marked with surveyor flagging or by other similar means to prevent recounts of the same animal. The location of each carcass was recorded to the nearest tenth of a mile. At the end of 1985 the results of this monitoring were tabulated, summarized, and submitted to the CDOW for review. If a problem road -kill area was identified by monitoring, TC conferred with the CDOW to discuss if there is a need for mitigative measures. Monitoring of the Fish Creek Borehole Area Access Road was initiated in 1990 to establish baseline levels and continued through 1991 to coincide with the first major traffic increase. However, road kills are expected to be at a lower level than on the haul road since the majority of traffic on the access road will occur during low risk time periods for big game/vehicle collisions. Monitoring consisted of all TC employees using the access road being requested to report any collisions with elk or mule deer to their supervisor. Big game/vehicle collisions were reported on a standard form available to all employees. Results of this monitoring were provided to the CDOW at the end of 1990 and 1991. If a significant problem was identified, TC conferred with the CDOW on possible mitigation measures. Sage Grouse To prevent or limit impacts to sage grouse populations on the Permit Area TC will: 1. Locate the Fish Creek Borehole Area Access Road past the Twentymile Lek, as discussed with CDOW, so that it will be at least .05 mi (0.8km) away from the lek and, topographically, out of direct line of sight (see Map 22, Locations of Sage Grouse Leks and Sagebrush Habitat) 2. Not conduct construction activities on the Fish Creek Borehole Area Access Road within 1.0 mi (1.6 km) of the Twentymile Lek from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunrise from March through May 3. Maintain employee shift changes so that peak traffic levels on the access road will not coincide with peak sage grouse breeding activity at the Twentymile Lek from March through May RN 17-07 2.05-126 02/15/18