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Analysis . • <br />The review area has been determined by the Colorado Division of Wildlife to be crucial winter <br />range for elk. Underground coal mining, without surface disturbance, other than subsidence, <br />would not effect crucial winter range values. If surface disturbing activities are proposed at a later <br />date winter range values would be degraded or lost. The review area is suitable for coal leasing <br />.with inclusion of the following special protective stipulations: <br />Cbal related surface facilities and surface disturbances will be authorized in the review area <br />only if no feasible alternatives exist. <br />The BLM will coordinate with the Colorado Division of Wildlife to determine the type and <br />extent of allowable variances. <br />Coal exploration, facility construction, and major scheduled maintenance will not be <br />authorized on the lease from December 1 through April 30. <br />All unavoidable surface disturbances will require approval of the BLM's Authorized Officer. <br />No other federal lands within the review area, or off-site that would be effected by the proposed <br />action are considered critical or essential habitat for resident species of fish, wildlife or plants of <br />high interest to the state of Colorado (CO Statutes, 1988). <br />Criterion 16 <br />Federal lands in riverine, coastal, and special floodplains (100-year recurrence interval) on which <br />the surface management agency determines that mining could not be undertaken without <br />substantial threat of loss of life or property shall be considered unsuitable for all or certain <br />stipulated methods of coal mining. ` <br />Analysis <br />No lands within the review are within floodplains. <br />Criterion 17 <br />Federal lands which have been committed by the surface management agency to use as <br />municipal watersheds shall be considered unsuitable. <br />Analysis <br />None of the lands in the modification or RNV area are within a municipal watershed. <br />Criterion 18 <br />Federal lands with National Resource Waters, as identified by states in their water quality <br />management plans, and a buffer zone of federal lands '/<-mile from the outer edge of the far banks <br />of the water, shall be unsuitable. ----- <br />8 <br />