2023-07-27_REVISION - C1981038 (10)

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Initial disturbance at the mine occurred prior to any requirements for preparation of vegetation inventories; therefore, portions of this mine site were not surveyed. However, as new areas were proposed to be disturbed, they were first inventoried. Nine vegetation types have been inventoried in the mine permit area, including agriculture, aspen, mixed shrub, mountain meadow, oakbrush, pinon-juniper, sagebrush, sparse herbaceous understory, and riparian. The majority of the disturbed areas at the Bowie No. 1 Mine are located in oakbrush communities dominated by Gambel oak ( uercus gambelii) and serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), and in pinon-juniper communities where Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) dominates over pinon pine(Pinus edulis). Other communities disturbed to a lesser degree include agriculture(orchards), mixed shrub, and riparian. No threatened or endangered plant species have been identified on the permit area. Fish and Wildlife - Rules 2.04.11, 2.05.6(2), 4.18 Information on fish and wildlife resources is in the PAP in Section 2.04 of Volume I and in the Fish and Wildlife Appendix, Volume 9A. The Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Plan is found in Section 2.05 of Volume 1. The general area contains important winter range for both elk and deer, and over 10,000 hunter days per year are spent in this area. Golden eagles have been nesting near the mine site for several years, but no threatened or endangered wildlife species have been observed. The North Fork of the Gunnison River contains 12 species of fish, including three species of game fish(rainbow trout, brown trout, and northern pike). However, due to the poor production of benthic organisms and poor habitat conditions, the North Fork is not stocked frequently. Impacts to wildlife are minimized by prohibiting public use of trails when big game are concentrated in the winter(December I to April 16), and by prohibiting the cutting of snags except those within the actual disturbed area. Description of the Operation and Reclamation Plans The Bowie No. I Mine was an underground mine which had been in operation since 1975, but has ceased operations and is in the process of being reclaimed. There are three major disturbed areas within the permit boundary. • The East Mine—The original portals east of Stevens Gulch were the site of the main offices, crushing and screening facilities, and storage and warehouse areas. • The West Mine - The portals on East Roatcap Creek were adjoined by a small maintenance facility, ventilation shaft, and water tank. • The coal loadout facilities were located adjacent to the North Fork of the Gunnison River along State Highway 133. 13