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RULE 2 PERMITS <br /> <br />Rule 2 Permits 2.05-26 Revision Date: 3/7/25 <br /> Revision No.: TR-166 <br />applicable emission permits has been included in Exhibit 8 of the application. <br /> <br />Details of pollution control measures are discussed in section 2.05.6. <br /> <br />2.05.5 Post-mining Land Uses <br /> <br />The implementation of the reclamation plan as described in Section 2.05.4 will restore the <br />disturbed land to the pre-mining use of rangeland, with two targeted subcomponents of grazingland <br />and wildlife habitat (sagebrush steppe). Replacement of grazingland will be facilitated by <br />targeting revegetation efforts toward primarily grassland communities. Because grasslands are <br />effective for erosion control, this post mine land use will be implemented on those lands with <br />slopes greater than 10%. Replacement of wildlife habitat will be facilitated by targeting <br />revegetation efforts toward the re-establishment of a sagebrush steppe community. Because early- <br />seral sagebrush steppe is less able to preclude erosion, it will be limited to those lands with slopes <br />less than 10%. <br /> <br />The post mining land use of rangeland for the reclaimed area has been designed to match the pre- <br />mining land uses found in the area. Specifically, Colowyo will reclaim the mined areas to a <br />rangeland condition capable of supporting both domestic livestock and wildlife. One of the <br />objectives of the reclamation plan will be to provide grazing for livestock, and the other objective <br />will be to restore and improve habitats for deer, elk, and sage grouse. <br /> <br />Comments from the Bureau of Land Management and the State of Colorado approving the post <br />mining land use are provided in Exhibit 1, Documents and Leases. <br /> <br />The observation of hundreds of deer and elk consistently utilizing reclaimed areas at Colowyo <br />confirm success in meeting these goals. It is generally recognized that the herbaceous communities <br />of grasses and forbs found on older reclaimed mining areas and other similar areas in northwest <br />Colorado have in fact attracted these important wildlife species from surrounding native <br />rangelands. Therefore, even though the grassland targeted areas are designed for livestock grazing, <br />they exhibit a considerable component of wildlife habitat benefits as well. <br /> <br />Shrubs will also be replaced through seeding techniques to meet applicable regulatory <br />requirements as described in Section 4.15.8. The post-mining land use is graphically shown on <br />the Post-mining Topography Map (Map 19). <br /> <br />To support the proposed post-mining land use, small water impoundments (stock ponds) will be <br />constructed to encourage an even distribution of grazing animals over the reclaimed site and to <br />enhance the areas for wildlife. These small structures will also replace the existing water rights <br />associated with the stock ponds that existed pre-mining. If necessary, Colowyo will submit <br />designs for these small impoundments to the Division prior to their construction. <br /> <br />Also, to provide access in the area for ranching purposes, the access road from Highway 13 will <br />be left in place after mining is complete, and a number of "ranch roads" will be provided on the <br />reclaimed area to approximate the roads that were in the area before mining. The access road <br />will be narrowed from 26 to 12 feet, the asphalt removed, sideslopes reduced to 4:1 and the sides