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Land Use <br /> Rangeland (sheep and cattle grazing) is the dominant land use in the permit area and adjacent area. <br /> Other land uses comprise cropland (hay fields),wildlife habitat, industrial/commercial(mining, oil <br /> wells,electric transmission lines), developed water resources(reservoirs), recreation (hunting and <br /> wildlife viewing) and residential. The approved post-mining land uses for the PSC are rangeland, <br /> wildlife habitat, and recreational use. <br /> Wildlife <br /> The PSC permit area and adjacent area provide habitat for the following types of wildlife: big game, <br /> small mammals, upland game birds, raptors, breeding birds (songbirds), amphibians,reptiles, and <br /> fish. Fish habitat is in the Yampa River. The following vegetation communities provide habitat <br /> for birds and mammals: grasslands, sagebrush shrub lands, mountain brush, and isolated pockets of <br /> aspen and coniferous forest. Potential raptor nesting habitat is provided by cliffs and rock outcrops <br /> and scattered box elder and cottonwood trees. Habitat for all types of wildlife is provided in <br /> mesic bottomlands and riparian areas that occur along larger drainages, and by wetland vegetation <br /> that occurs around ponds and impoundments. <br /> The PSC permit area boundary is adjoined with the reclaimed Yoast Mine (C1994082) and <br /> incorporated a portion of the reclaimed and now terminated Seneca II Mine (C 1980005). Annual <br /> wildlife monitoring was conducted for the two reclaimed mines from 1994 to 2007. Wildlife <br /> baseline studies were conducted for PSC in 2008. Details of the wildlife studies are in Exhibit <br /> 2.04.11 El of the permit application. Wildlife observed during the monitoring and baseline <br /> studies included big game, upland game birds, raptors, breeding birds (songbirds), and small <br /> mammals. The 2008 baseline survey found 62 bird species, 11 mammal species, and one <br /> amphibian species (boreal chorus frog). Bird species diversity was highest in the mountain brush <br /> habitat (22 species) and grassland habitat (21 species). The most abundant bird species was the <br /> cliff swallow occurring in large flocks and nesting colonies. <br /> Tables 2.04.11-T6,permit section 2.04.11, and section 2.05.6 have been updated to reflect changes <br /> to species of concern. <br /> Three special bird species are known to occur in the permit area; bald eagle, Columbian sharp- <br /> tailed grouse, and greater sandhill crane. The bald eagle is listed as state threatened. Columbian <br /> sharp-tailed grouse is a state species of special concern and known to use the permit area. The <br /> permit area encompasses nine lek sites, none of which are located in the PSC surface disturbance <br /> area. Short-term habitat loss could occur but limited to areas of surface facilities. Appropriate <br /> reclamation would likely restore this habitat, and the species is known to use reclaimed mining <br /> areas. The greater sandhill crane is a state species of special concern and is known to nest in the <br /> permit area. Nest sites were not located near surface disturbance areas and loss of habitat is not <br /> expected. <br /> The following special status species have potential to occur in the permit area based on habitat <br /> requirements but do not have known occurrences: midget faded rattlesnake, northern leopard frog, <br /> American peregrine falcon, ferruginous hawk, greater sage grouse,white-faced ibis, and northern <br /> pocket gopher. Further habitat details are listed in Table 2.04.11-T6. <br /> Page 9 of 27 <br />