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• wildlife. Colowyo employees are fully aware of the possibility of <br />encountering wildlife on and around the mine site and take special <br />care to avoid these species. <br />In summary after 12 years of mining at Colowyo, the question is no <br />longer whether coal mining at Colowyo has had an adverse impact on <br />local wildlife populations. The population of deer and elk in the <br />vicinity of Colowyo is reaching record levels. There is little <br />doubt that wildlife populations are drawn to the reclaimed areas <br />because of the availability of quality herbaceous vegetation. The <br />immediate vicinity around Colowyo has become well known as a <br />wildlife refuge, particularly during big game seasons. <br />The issue now is how can Colowyo assist the CDOW in efforts to <br />control wildlife populations to a level that can be supported by <br />adjacent ranges. To do so, in 1990 we have entered into a <br />cooperative effort with the CROW to establish a "Ranching For <br />Wildlife" area located south of Hayden. Colowyo has also <br />cooperated with the CDOW in allowing public hunters access to <br />company properties in Axial Basin Ranch to increase harvest of <br />local cow elk populations. <br />• <br />The concern for wildlife mitigation has clearly evolved from a <br />concern for the impact of mining on the wildlife population to a <br />concern for involving Colowyo in managing increasing populations. <br />As one of the large landowners in the region, Colowyo will continue <br />to work with the CDOW to assist where possible to manage local <br />wildlife populations. <br />Protection of Hvdrologic Balance and Water Quality <br />Based on the data, other references available and reclamation plans <br />previously presented in this section, the Colowyo Mine will not <br />adversely affect the hydrologic balance or water quality of the <br />adjacent areas. <br />The Colowyo Coal Company intends to use all practical methods to <br />maintain the hydrologic balance and water quality in its present <br />state and may improve the surface water characteristics as a result <br />of reclamation procedures. The focus of this discussion will <br />center on the permit area as it is the area of mining disturbance. <br /> <br />2.05-73 <br />