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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS <br /> <br />Rule 4 Performance Standards 4-33 Revision Date: 4/9/25 <br /> Revision No.: MR-261 <br />In 2019, the surface landowner replaced a culvert under the Taylor Creek Access Road (please see <br />Map 25C for location of the road) to support long-term access up the Taylor Creek drainage. <br />Minimal ground disturbance was associated with replacing the culvert. Since the activity is related <br />to the surface landowner, it is not permitted and bonded for in accordance with Rule 3.02.1(2). <br /> <br />In 2019, approximately 13.5 acres within Colowyo’s permit boundary (outside of the disturbance <br />boundary) adjacent to the Collom Haul Road was affected by the wild land fire caused by high <br />winds slapping power lines together. The location of the fire is shown on Figure 4.12-7. The area <br />that was burned is mostly comprised of sagebrush. Because the fire was not related to Colowyo’s <br />mining activities, Colowyo, as the surface landowner will reseed or managed the post-fire area, as <br />it deems appropriate. <br /> <br />Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. owns and operates a 138kV power line <br />that traversers through the east portion of the permit boundary. The 138kV line runs north to south <br />through the reclaimed East Pit, and just east of the reclaimed Section 16 Pit. To ensure access to <br />all pole locations along the power line for maintenance and emergency repairs, Tri-State will be <br />improving existing ranch roads and/or constructing new roads to access their power line within the <br />permit boundary. Most of this activity will take place south of the reclaimed East Pit and outside <br />of Colowyo’s ground disturbance and reclamation areas. Nonetheless, some of these access <br />locations will traverse across Phase III released areas (Section 16 reclamation areas) and reclaimed <br />areas including reclamation units EP056 and EP060 (please see annual reclamation report maps <br />for the location of these reclamation units). For the approximate alignment for this access road <br />please see Map 22A. Since these ground disturbing activities are not related to Colowyo’s mining <br />activities, the roads will not be permitted and bonded for in accordance with Rule 3.02.1(2). <br /> <br />In 2021, White River Electric Association upgraded their existing power line within the permit <br />boundary and added to this existing line along Moffat County Road 51 to service customers in the <br />area of Wilson Creek. All ground disturbing activities associated with the upgraded power line <br />and the new power line construction is associated with White River Electrical Association and not <br />Colowyo; therefore, it is not permitted for Colowyo nor required to be bonded for in accordance <br />with Rule 3.02.1(2). <br /> <br />In 2021, approximately 641 acres within Colowyo’s permit boundary, directly adjacent to the east <br />side of the Collom Pit, was affected by a wild land fire. The location of the wild land fire is shown <br />on Figure 4.12-8. The area that was burned is mostly comprised of sagebrush. Additional surface <br />disturbance within the permit boundary of approximately five acres was created to cut in a fire <br />lines to control and fight the fire. The relatively low intensity nature of the fire does not appear to <br />warrant or require supplemental seeding; however, the areas impacted by the fire lines will be <br />roughened, seeded with the approved reclamation seed mix, and reported in the annual reclamation <br />report. <br /> <br />On September 28, 2022, approximately 11 acres within Colowyo’s permit boundary, directly <br />adjacent to the Gossard Loadout was affected by a wild land fire. The location of the wild land <br />fire is shown on Figure 4.12-7. The area that was burned is mostly comprised of sagebrush. The <br />local Bureau of Land Management field office determined the fire was due to a bird striking a <br />power line and the fire was not related to Colowyo’s mining operations. <br />