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snowberry (Symphoricarpos oreophilus). Dominant grasses are western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii), mountain brome (Bromus marginatus> and green needlegrass (Stied viridula). Major forks include lupine (Luoinus caudatus), wild onion (Allium sip.), yarrow (AChillea lanulosa) and arrowleaf balsam root (Balsamorrhiza sagittata). The mountain shrub community is typically found on areas of higher soil moisture and deeper soils throughout the permit area. Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia> and Gambel's oak ( uercus gambelii) are the dominant overstory species in the community, with fairly dense stands of chokecherry (Prunus virginiana> occurring on north slopes and along drainages. The most abundant grasses are Kentucky bluegrass (Poo pratensis), western wheatgrass and needle and thread (Stipa tomato>. Forbs include lupine, yarrow, bedstraw (Galium spy.) and American vetch (Vicia americana). Description of the Operations and Reclamation Plans Operations Plan Detailed information on the Colowyo Operations Plan is found in Section 2.05.3 of the permit application. Performance standards associated with mining operations are found in Section 4.00 of the permit application and are summarized in Section B of this document. The Colowyo Mine, as proposed, will consist of four pits (two existing, two proposed) operating within 7,402 permitted acres. East Pit Mining operations began in 1976 with the East Pit, a multi-seam coal operation that continues to move in a southwesterly direction. The East Pit mines eight coal seams <Y, X, A, B, C, D, E, F) ranging in thickness from two to fifteen feet. Atruck-and-shovel operation removes overburden from the top three to four seams. A dragline is used for the removai of overburden above the lower seams. Overburden removed 1n the truck-and-shovel operation is hauled around the active pit and dumped Into the active pit on the other side. Due to the number of coal seams, pit progression is slow, with additional disturbances of approximately 40 to 50 acres per year. The East Pit has reached a steady state where acreage disturbed approximately equals reclamation in any given year. Section 11 Pit The Section 11 Pit was approved (along with additions to the East Pit> in January 1991 as technical revision TR-14. Section 11 Pit is a single-seam operation nearing the end of its estimated life. For additional information on the Section 11 Pi t,. refer to the findings addendum for TR-14. This relatively small pit is located as an eastern appendage of the larger East Pit. The upper "X" coal seam fs mined with a dragline. Reclamation -7-