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shrubland community is also located in the King II Mine azea on the relatively flat colluvial bottom <br />that is present between the drainage basin side slopes. The valley bottom of Hay Gulch is occupied <br />by introduced pasture. <br />Wildlife <br />A variety of wildlife species utilize the permit area and surrounding areas. The Colorado Division of <br />Wildlife has identified the general area of the mine site as critical deer winter range. Wildlife use is <br />expected to increase upon completion of successful reclamation. <br />Descriation of the Operation and Reclamation Plans <br />Underground room and pillaz operations are employed at the King I and II Mines. The coal is mined <br />in two continuous mining sections in the King I Mine. After coal is removed from the working face, <br />both sections will utilize shuttle cars to transport coal to conveyors, which in turn transport the coal <br />to the surface. The surface operations associated with the underground mining operation consist of <br />crushing, stockpiling and loading coal. There are no coal processing facilities at the King I and II <br />Mines. Coal refuse generated by both mines will be incorporated into the refuse pile at the King I <br />Mine. Four types of coal will be stockpiled temporarily on the surface: lump, stoker, railroad, and <br />mina run. Crushing the coal will generate fines that will be combined with the mine run coal and <br />sold. <br />Recent coal production has been around 500,000 tons per year and will increase to 610,000 tons per <br />year when production commences at King II. The life of the mine is projected through the yeaz 2030. <br />Approximately 10.88 acres have been disturbed at the King I Mine and 20 acres have been distwbed <br />at the King II Mine. Surface facilities in the disturbed areas of each mine will include: an office <br />building, change house, shop, scale house, guard shack, tipple area with coal storage bins, coal <br />storage area, mine exhaust fan, water storage tank, and an electrical substation. A haul road will <br />connect the surface facilities azea at each mine to County Road 120. The haul road at the King I <br />Mine is a pre-law road that the Division has previously approved as a permanent feature. <br />Reclamation at each mine will consist of: dismantling and removing all structures except those <br />approved for permanent retention; backfilling and sealing the underground portals; regrading to <br />achieve a stable, productive landform; and distributing topsoil, seed, and mulch. The approved <br />postmining land use for both mines is rangeland and wildlife habitat, and agriculture use for part of <br />the King I Mine. <br />9 <br />