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<br />Mountain Coal Company <br />West Elk Mine <br />Deer Creek Shaft Project Plan <br />VEGETATION <br />Vegetation in the proposed Deer Creek Shaft project area is transitional between the <br />mountain shrub and aspen spruce fir forest. The vegetation consists of communities of <br />several aspen trees with a dense understory of chokecherry, serviceberry and Gambel"s <br />oak; Mountain brome and other grasses; and various other shrubs and forts. The location <br />offers visual screening to passersby on Minnesota Creek Road (USFS 711) and on the <br />Deer Creek Road; if additional screening is needed, other means of providing that <br />screening (e.g., tree and shrub plantings, earthen berms, etc.) can be accomplished. <br />There is a wetlands area to the east of the project on the Deer Creek drainage that will not <br />be affected by the project. <br />A Threatened and Endangered Species Survey (TESS) has been conducted for the project <br />area (attached), and based on this survey and other data collected in nearby areas, no <br />threatened, endangered, or candidate plant species are expected to be found in the Deer <br />Creek Shaft project area. Vegetation and reclamation at previously disturbed sites is <br />described in a document titled, "Mountain Coal Company, West Elk Mine 2004 <br />Reclamation Photograph Project", and Mountain Coal Company's, "Annual Reclamation <br />Report, November 1, 2004", ibid November 2005 and November 2006, completed by <br />Michael Ward Outdoors. <br />SOILS <br />Soils vary from silty and sandy looms mainly derived from the Wasatch Fom~ation, to <br />organic humus covering clay soils observed in the Aspen groves. Sandstone and <br />conglomerate bedrock is present throughout most of the mesas and ridges as observed <br />from the mck outcroppings. <br />Topsoil from the light-use road and pad disturbances was salvaged, stored and will be <br />used for reclamation purposes. Results of reclamation success using topsoil salvaged at <br />other nearby exploration drill pad sites and roads indicate that revegetation is not an issue <br />in this area <br />WILDLIFE <br />The project area is an important range for deer, elk, and bear. Other animals in the <br />project area include coyote, rabbit, porcupine, beaver, squirrel, mice and other rodents. <br />The proposed Deer Creek Shaft project will be managed to avoid conflicts with the deer <br />and elk on winter range and user conflict during big game hunting season. Operations <br />will be located such as to not interfere with raptor nesting sites, including Golden and <br />Bald Eagle, and Peregrine Falcon. <br />Page 6 of 13 <br />