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~ • La Plata County Page 2 Oakridge Energy, Inc. The DOW has suggested to the Division of Minerals Ix Geology that Oakridge Energy, Inc. provide interim mitigation to reduce the loss of wildlife habitat during the mining phase of these projects.This interim mitigation would not be considered as replacement to the reclamation plans approved by the Mined Land Reclamation Board. The original coal permit area affects approximately 540 acres. The estimated number of "Affected" acres was 225.( See attachment) The 225 acres will contain the mining operations, buildings, stockpiles, roads, etc. The DOW feels that during the active mining/production period the use by wildlife on the 54D acres will be reduced. Therefore, habitat enhancement through the interim mitigation agreement should be provided on 540 acres. .The Bureau of Land Management has agreed, conceptually, to allow the interim mitigation to take place on their land which lies East of the coal and gravel mining areas. Two primary habitat needs have been identified by the BLM and DOW. The first is revitalizing two stock ponds and the second is to increase the forage production for wintering deer and elk. Because the BLM is required to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) certain activities will require NEPA compliance. The BLM will need to be contacted by the applicant as soon as applicable in order to coordinate the enhancement project and determine a time frame for completion of the work, if this mitigation is agreeable. The re-working of the stock ponds, which the BLM has identified, could probably be done "in-kind" by Oakridge Energy since they have access to construction equipment and personnel. I would estimate That this activity will be very minor in terms of expense. Increased forage production of browse and grass will require some level of NEPA compliance depending upon the intensity of surface disturbance. Methods to increase browse production can include: chaining, burning, logging or cutting the stands of pinyon/juniper and mountain shrub. Grass forage enhancement can be provided through aerial application of fertilizer. The BLM and LOW feel that random selective cutting of P/J and shrub will minimize the NEPA concerns, however can be more labor intensive. Because of the terrain and projected outcome this method is more preferred than chaining or burning. The DOW believes that the final decision for the habitat enhancement project should be made by the BLM since They are the receiving land owner. The County, Oakridge Energy Inc., DOW and BLM will have to work closely together to determine the appropriate level of interim mitigation.