2022-12-20_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (3)

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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Rule 4 Performance Standards 4-51 Revision Date: 12/14/22 Revision No.: MR-245 Colowyo's objective of returning the post-mining land use to a rangeland condition capable of supporting the diverse wildlife populations is being approached in several ways. As described in Section 2.04.11, Colowyo initiated efforts to restore wildlife habitats during premine planning and early mining, by conducting an extensive four-year study to assist in determination of the best techniques for revegetating disturbed areas with native species to enhance wildlife habitat. A habitat improvement program, as described in Section 2.05.6, was initiated in 1975 to offset temporary habitat loss during mining. As described in Section 2.05.4, the reestablishment of herbaceous species, topographic relief, impoundments and limited reestablishment of a shrub component form the integral elements of the reclamation plan. To date these efforts have proven successful. Herds of Deer and Elk are regularly seen grazing on the reclaimed areas. Rodent and small game populations have reestablished on the reclaimed areas providing a readily available food source for local raptor populations and other predators. 4.19 PROTECTION OF UNDERGROUND MINING Colowyo will not conduct coal mining closer than 500 feet to any point of either an active or abandoned underground mine. Underground coal mines have been operated in the past as discussed in Section 2.04.4, but their locations were on the-northern side of Streeter Draw well over 500 feet from present Colowyo mining. The surface mining activities of Colowyo have been designed so as not to endanger any present or future operations of either surface or underground mining operations. As discussed in Section 2.05.3, Colowyo has engineered its mining plan to maximize recovery of coal by current economical surface mining methods. 4.20 SUBSIDENCE CONTROL Colowyo is conducting a surface coal mining operation. Therefore, the requirements of 4.20 are not applicable to the Colowyo operation. 4.21 COAL EXPLORATION 4.21.1 Scope This section sets forth performance standards and design requirements for coal exploration, which substantially disturbs the natural land surface. 4.21.2 General Responsibility of Persons Conducting Coal Exploration Colowyo will comply with the minimum environmental protection performance standards under this Section as discussed below and in Section 2.02.