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RULE 2 PERMITS <br /> <br />Rule 2 Permits 2.05-35 Revision Date: 3/7/25 <br /> Revision No.: TR-166 <br />and wildlife. Colowyo employees are fully aware of the possibility of encountering wildlife on and <br />-around the mine site and take special care to avoid these species. <br /> <br />In summary after several years of mining at Colowyo, the question is no longer whether coal <br />mining at Colowyo has had an adverse impact on local wildlife populations. The population of <br />deer and elk in the vicinity of Colowyo is reaching record levels. There is little doubt that wildlife <br />populations are drawn to the reclaimed areas because of the availability of quality herbaceous <br />vegetation. The immediate vicinity around Colowyo has become well known as a wildlife refuge, <br />particularly during big game seasons. <br /> <br />The issue now is how can Colowyo assist CPW in efforts to control wildlife populations to a level <br />that can be supported by adjacent ranges. To do so, in 1990 we have entered into a cooperative <br />effort with the CPW to establish a "Ranching For Wildlife" area located south of Hayden. Colowyo <br />has also cooperated with the CPW in allowing public hunters access to company properties in <br />Axial Basin Ranch to increase harvest of local cow elk populations. <br /> <br />The concern for wildlife mitigation has clearly evolved from a concern for the impact of mining <br />on the wildlife population to a concern for involving Colowyo in managing increasing populations <br />especially for big game animals, particularly elk. As one of the large landowners in the region, <br />Colowyo will continue to work with the CPW to assist where possible to manage local big game <br />populations. <br /> <br />With regard to sage grouse populations, Colowyo believes that the new revegetation metrics <br />presented within this submittal will more completely address the concern for negative impacts to <br />area populations and brooding habitat. As this new reclamation technology progresses and adapts <br />into the future, it is anticipated that sage grouse use of reclaimed lands will return to pre-mining <br />levels, or perhaps return to elevated levels as has been experienced at certain Wyoming mining <br />operations. <br /> <br />Related to this mitigation and emphasis on wildlife populations, focus must be maintained on the <br />fact that Colowyo is the landowner on the overwhelming majority of disturbed acreage. Were it <br />not for the need for permitting of coal mining operations, and the desire to be a responsible steward <br />of the land, the company could select to manage lands in a manner similar to other Western <br />ranching operations that emphasize red meat production from livestock with little concern for the <br />needs of wildlife. <br /> <br />Protection of Hydrologic Balance and Water Quality <br /> <br />Based on the data, other references available and reclamation plans previously presented in this <br />section, the Colowyo Mine will not adversely affect the hydrologic balance or water quality of the <br />adjacent areas. <br /> <br />The Colowyo Coal Company intends to use all practical methods to maintain the hydrologic <br />balance and water quality in its present state and may improve the surface water characteristics as <br />a result of reclamation procedures. The focus of this discussion will center on the permit area as it <br />is the area of mining disturbance.