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C~LJ III III IIIiI I Doc Date:12/11/2001 - <br />/` - -- -- <br />PROTECTION OF FISH. WILDLIFE. AND RELATED ENVIRONMENTAL <br />VALUES <br />A3-described in Section 2.04.11, no threatened or endangered <br />species have been identified in the permit area. Also, no critical <br />habitat for any species is known to exist. Golden Eagle nesting <br />complexes, which are located within the permit area but outside the <br />area to be mined, are described in Section 2.04.11. <br />Electric power lines and other transmission facilities in the <br />permit area will be constructed in accordance with the guidelines <br />set forth in the environmental criteria for Electric Transmission <br />System (USDI, USDA (1970)). Distribution lines will be designed <br />and constructed in accordance with REA-Bulletin 61-10, Powerline <br />Contacts by Eagles and Other Large Birds. <br />As described in Section 2.05.6, all disturbed acreage, including <br />roads, has been kept to a minimum by proper planning to reduce <br />impacts to all environmental resources, including impacts on <br />wildlife. <br />Colowyo's objective of returning the post-mining land use to a <br />rangeland condition capable of supporting the diverse wildlife <br />populations is being approached in several ways. As described in <br />Section 2.04.11, Colowyo initiated efforts to restore wildlife <br />• habitats during premine planning and early mining, by conducting an <br />extensive four year study to assist in determination of the best <br />techniques for revegetating disturbed areas with native species to <br />enhance wildlife habitat. <br />A habitat improvement program, as described in Section 2.05.6, was <br />initiated in 1975 to offset temporary habitat loss during mining. <br />As described in Section 2.05.4, the reestablishment of herbaceous <br />species, topographic relief, impoundments and limited reestablish- <br />ment of a shrub component form the integral elements of the <br />reclamation plan. <br />To date these efforts have proven successful. Herds of Deer and <br />Elk are regularly seen grazing on the reclaimed ares. Rodent and <br />small game populations have reestablished on the reclaimed areas <br />providing a readily available food source for local raptor <br />populations and other predators. <br /> <br />4.18-1 <br />