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No attempt was made to delineate wetlands in the floodplain on the south side of the primary channel as <br />potential disturbance is to be limited to the nortfi side. Casual observation of this area indicates portions would <br />likely qualify as wetland using the Cowardin System; however, the majority of this area would most likely not <br />meet the soil and hydrology parameters applied by the USACE. <br />Based on the findings of this survey, it is concluded that the area(s) disturbed for the 18 Right Ventilation Shaft <br />pad and associated access roads do not impact jurisdictional wetlands or other Waters of the U.S. <br />6-North Mains Ventilation Installation (TROS-48) <br />[n accordance with Section 404(b)(1) of the Clean Water Act (40 CFR 320), a routine wetland delineation was <br />previously performed for areas affected by proposed construction of the ! 8-Right and 6-North Mains Intake <br />Shafts, and the associated access roads. Wetland boundaries were determined in the field in accordance with the <br />US Army Corps Wetland Delineation Manual (Technical Report Y-87-1, Jan. 1987). Habitat Management Inc. <br />conducted the surveys on October 21, 2003. "Normal" site conditions prevailed at the time of surveys. A <br />detailed report for the wetland delineation is provided in Exhibit 16D, Wetland Delineation Report, RAG <br />Twentymile Coal Company, Fish Creek Vent Shaft, October, 2003. Detail maps for the wetlands delineation for <br />the 6-North Mains Ventilation Installation are provided in Exhibit 16F. The following summari2es those <br />portions of the report that are relevant to the 6-North Mains Shaft facilities and roads. <br />The proposed 6-North Mains Ventilation Shaft and access road are located in Section 17, of TSN, R86W, in <br />Routt County Colorado (Map EXl6F-Ml). The proposed shaft pad, at an elevation of 6,765', covers <br />approximately 1 1.1 acres. The wetland survey covered an area encompassing approximately 38 acres including <br />the pad and surrounding areas. The access road is approximately 2,930 lineal feet from start to end points. The <br />access road begins at the existing Northwest Mains Ventilation Shaft, located near the edge of the Fish Creek <br />floodplain. The proposed access road proceeds northwest, terminating at the proposed intake shaft location. A <br />100-foot wide corridor was surveyed along the entire length of the proposed access road alignment, extending <br />approximately 50 feet perpendicular on either side of the road centerline. <br />Identified wetlands within the 38-acre survey area, are located north of the proposed shaft pad and are confined <br />to areas within an intermittent drainage indicated by a dashed blue line on the USGS topographic map of the <br />azea. This drainage shows considerable variation within the survey area. The upper reach has poorly defined <br />banks, but there is sufticient ongoing scour to prevent establishment of persistent vegetation communities. <br />Midway along the surveyed reach, the channel is deeply incised and the banks are well defined. The bottom and <br />banks of the channel support hydrophytic vegetation in areas where groundwater seeps are evident (refer to <br />Exhibit 16D, Photos 5 and 6, and Map EXl6F-Ml). The proposed shaft pad has been relocated to the south of <br />the identified wetland areas, such that approximately 10.6 of the 11.1 acres are outside of a 100' drainage buffer. <br />In the northern central portion of the pad area, the remaining 0.5 acres of pad disturbance will fall just outside of <br />a 50' buffer for the drainage and associated wetland areas. The 0.5 acre area is needed so that vertical power- <br />drop boreholes can be aligned with the underground mine workings. Aside from this very limited azea, planned <br />project disturbance will only affect upland grass and shrub plant communities. <br />RULE 2.04.11 -FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES INFORMATION <br />(, Each application shall include a study of fish and wildlife and their habitats within the proposed <br />Division where surface minin>; will be conducted or facilities located and the portions of the permit area where <br />effects on such resources may reasonablybe expected to occur. <br />(1) Prior to initiatingsuch studies the applicant shall contact the Division to determine what fish and <br />wildlife resources information will be reouired. <br />TROS-48 2.04-6L2 09/06/05 <br />