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Lick Creek. The community does not appear to be delineated on Map 42, but it may <br />be the case that the wet meadows are inclusions located entirely within the <br />boundaries of the riparian vegetation community, which is delineated on the map <br />along Dry Fork and Lick Creek. Please clarify if this is the case, or amend the map <br />as appropriate to delineate wet meadow communities that occur outside the <br />boundaries of the riparian community. <br />2. Rule 2.04.10(5) requires an evaluation of the potential for impacts to rare and <br />endangered plant species. The applicant has properly updated T&E information for <br />PR-10 on amended page 2.04-156. The information indicates that only two listed <br />plant species occur within the general area (clay loving wild buckwheat, and Uinta <br />Basin hookless cactus) but that suitable habitat for either species does not occur <br />within the permit area. It appears that the information provided has adequately <br />addressed the cited requirement. In addition, The Division has solicited comments <br />from the the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding the potential for impacts to <br />listed species. <br />The applicant has also provided information regarding several sensitive plant species <br />that could potentially occur within the permit area, although their presence has not <br />been documented. Because the PR-10 revision application does not propose <br />additional surface disturbance, it is extremely unlikely that these species would be <br />affected, should they occur within the permit area. No further information is <br />requested of the applicant with respect to rare and endangered plant species. <br />2.04.12 Prime Farmland <br />3. The Division has previously made a negative determination for the presence of prime <br />farmlands within the current permit area. The applicant has included updated <br />information on amended page 2.04-173 and within Exhibit 39, which documents <br />that there are no prime farmlands within the proposed SOD permit extension area. <br />Exhibit 39 updates include March 2004 correspondence from appropriate USFS and <br />NRCS officials, which adequately documents that there is no prime farmland within <br />the proposed SOD permit extension area. No further information is requested of the <br />applicant with respect to prime farmland. <br />2.06.8 Alluvial Vallev Floors <br />Alluvial Valley Floor Reconnaissance Investigations and DMG Determinations <br />The applicant has not provided amended information specifically addressing the alluvial <br />valley floor (AVF) requirements of Rule 2.06.8, as a part of the PR-10 revision application, <br />for E-Seam Mining within the proposed SOD permit extension area. Information regarding <br />alluvial valley floors within the permit and adjacent area is presented in Section 2.06.8 of <br />the approved permit application package, and in Section XVII of the Division's July 2001 <br />Findings of Compliance document far Permit Renewal No. 4 (RN-4). Information in these <br />documents indicates that reconnaissance alluvial valley floor investigations have previously <br />been conducted by the operator within the 40-year life-of-mine lease boundary and <br />hydrologically adjacent areas. As such, the study would appear to have encompassed the <br />proposed SOD permit extension area and adjacent areas, including the Minnesota Creek and <br />Dry Fork of Minnesota Creek drainage basins. The study may also have included the Deep <br />Creek drainage, but this is not clear from the RN-4 findings document or the application <br />narrative. <br />2 <br />