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-zl- <br />\III. Fish and lildlife - Rules 2.04.11, 2.05.6(2) and 4.18 <br />The fish and wildlife resources and fish and wildlife management plan sections <br />of the application are included in Section 2.04.11(Volume I), Appendix H <br />(Volume IV), and Appendix M (Volume V). It was pointed our during the review <br />period that the wildlife study failed to include the entire permit area, as <br />required by Rule 2.04.11(1), and failed to include all areas of surface <br />disturbance. The applicant's reply was that all of the major habitat types <br />representative of the area had been sampled. <br />Division staff has consulted with personnel from the Colorado Division of wild- <br />life (DOfJ) faith respect to the Hayden Gulch mine. Based upon the consultation, <br />it has been determined that there are no major wildlife concerns for this operation. <br />The only outstanding wildlife issue is related to successful reestablishment <br />of shrub densities which will benefit wildlife after mining. DOFI is working <br />with H-G Coal Company toward establishing beneficial shrub densities as outlined <br />in the Vegetation Section of this document. <br />Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(n) and on the basis of available information, the <br />Division finds that the proposed activities will not affect the continued <br />existence of endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or <br />adverse modification of their critical habitats. <br />Farmland - Rules 2.04.12, 2.06.6 and 4.25 <br />The Division has made a negative determination for the presence of prime farm- <br />lands within the proposed permit area. The decision was based on the evidence <br />provided by the Soil Conservation Service that there are no prime farmlands <br />~.:ithin the proposed permit area because of short growing seasons and cool <br />temperatures. This evidence can he found in Section 2.04.12 of Volume I of the <br />application. <br />The Division, therefore. finds the operation in compliance with Rule 2.07.6(2)(k) <br />caith respect to prime farmlands. <br />:~~. Operations Description - Rules 2.05.2, 2.05.3(1), 2.05.3(2) and 4.01 <br />The general description of the mining operations and facilities have been reviewed <br />by the Division for compliance with the Rules and Regulations. Concerns raised <br />during the preliminary adequacy review were satisfactorily resolved by the <br />applicant. The general description of the mine operations can be found in Section <br />2.05.3 of Volume I of the application. <br />11-G Coal Company intends to mine at the rate of 1,000,000 tons per year during <br />the 5-year term of this permit. The total disturbance during this permit term <br />will impact approximately 383 acres. A total of 6,750,000 tcns of coal will <br />be removed by the operation during the eight-year mine life. <br />Five coal seams caill be removed by this area strip operation. These coal strata <br />dip to the northeast at 5° to 9°. Total combined thickness of the coals averages <br />22 feet and overburden ranges from 9 feet near the coal outcrops to 180 feet <br />at the thickest point. <br />The operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. <br />