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<br />q: <br />,,.;: <br />REPORT <br />'• INTRODUCTION <br />~;; Mountain Coal Company (MCC) operates the West Elk Mine under a permit (No. C-80-007) <br />~„ issued by the Colorado Division of Mineral and Geology (DMG). The location of the mine is <br />approximately two miles east of Somerset, Colorado off Colorado State Highway 133. <br />The proposed project area would be used to drill up to five "de-gas" boreholes as part of MCC's <br />efforts to minimize methane gas build-up. In compliance with the Endangered Species Act of <br />1972 as amended, a clearance survey for all threatened and endangered wildlife and plant species <br />is required before drilling can begin. In addition, sensitive species designated by the U.S. Forest <br />Service (USES) are also addressed in this report. The threatened, endangered, and sensitive <br />(TES) species of concern and their habitats, as provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service <br />(USFWS) and USES, are listed in Table 1. <br />A survey is also required to identify any fragile or particularly sensitive areas of concern. These <br />areas might include wetlands, riparian areas, and unusual topographic features. <br />! The purpose of this report is to discuss habitat and potential occurrence of each threatened, <br />~.: endangered and sensitive species of concern that may occur within a 140-acre block that includes <br />the five "de-gas" bore holes. This report will also present the results of the July 31, 2001 field <br />survey. <br />SITE LOCATION <br />West Elk Mine is located in Gunnison County approximately two miles east of Somerset, <br />Colorado. The proposed drill pad sites in the block area are 15-01, 1~-02, 15-03, 16-01, and 16- <br />04. The block survey area that contains these five drill pad sites is located in the south half of <br />section 26, Range 90 west, Township 13 south (Figure 1). <br />T3EDrISiteClearance-S W (210)FN L.duc 1 <br />