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eh <br />ESPEY, F4USTON b ASSOCIATES, INC. <br />• <br />1.0 CHAPTER O: FISH AND VTII.DLIFE PROTECTION PLAN <br />The flexibility in locating surface facilities including haul and access <br />roads has been constrained by the steep topography of the mine plan azea, the lack <br />of flat construction sites, and the locations of the coal seam outcrops. It was <br />fortuitous that, with respect to wildlife, the surface facilities within the mine plan <br />azea will occur near State Highway 13/789, the most significant pre-existing human <br />disturbance other than ranching. The exception to the preceeding statement is the <br />proposed location of the refuse disposal site. During the winter, an estimated 25 elk <br />reside neaz or in the azea. Also, migrating elk and mule deer use the Curtis Creek <br />Valley Corridor. <br />An attempt to lure the elk away from the refuse disposal site will consist <br />• of habitat enhancement of remote azeas (T2N, R93W, Sec. 21 and 22) within the <br />mine plan area. Habitat enhancement will consist of blading 1-3 acre decadent <br />mountain shrub stands to just above the ground surface. The bladed mountain shrub <br />roots will sprout new vegetation and attract wildlife, including mule deer and elk, <br />away from surface mining activities. This technique has been proven effective at <br />Colowyo's surface mine, which is about 14 miles from the Meeker Area Mines and <br />lies in the same vegetation type. The bladed shrubs will be placed strategically in <br />windrows to offer covet and capture more snow providing additional moisture for <br />root sprouts. Of course, the proposed habitat management will be subject to <br />landowner approval. Little problem is anticipated in obtaining this approval since <br />livestock grazing will also be enhanced by removal of decadent vagetation. <br />Fertilization of the new root sprouts will also be done during the first yeaz following <br />shrub sprouting. This habitat enhancement technique on the mine plan area will also <br />mitigate mule deer and elk highway mortality caused by NCC haulage trucks (see <br />Environmental Anal9sis Rieaau No.2 (G-Seam) Mine Modification of Operations <br />Plan, 22 April 1980) , presented as Appendix Q-1 in this chapter. <br /> <br />0-1 <br />