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4 <br />Pursuant to Rule 2,07.6(2)(n), the Division finds, based on the available <br />information, that the proposed mining operation will not affect the continued <br />existence of any endangered or threatened species nor result in the <br />destruction or adverse modification of their critical habitat. <br />The applicant is in compliance with the requirements of this section. <br />XIV. Prime Farmland - Rules 2.04.12, 2.06.6 and 4.25 <br />Information pertaining to prime farmland is presented in Section 2.04 (pages <br />2.04-31 to -32) and Exhibit 11 of the permit application. <br />La Plata Coal Corporation presented information obtained from the Soil <br />Conservation Service (SCS). The SCS's letter of April 2, 1987 stated "... we <br />feel that your pond may extend into some areas that may qualify for prime <br />farmland because of its slope." Subsequent investigations by the SCS revealed <br />that the sediment pond was not located in an area designated as prime farmland <br />as addressed in the SCS's letter of May 12, 1987. <br />Based on information provided by the SCS, the Division makes a negative <br />determination of the existence of prime farmland within the proposed permit <br />area. <br />The applicant is in compliance with the requirements of this section. <br />XV. Operations Description - Rules 2.05,2, 2.05.3(2) and 4.01 <br />Information pertaining to the operations description is presented in <br />Section 2.05 (pages 2.05-1 to -25) of the permit application document. <br />The La Plata No. 1 Mine is an underground room and pillar operation that <br />proposes to mine the upper or "A" coal seam of the Menefee Formation. The <br />coal will be mined utilizing conventional mining methods with the coal <br />transported to the surface via a conveyor beltline. Projected annual <br />production is approximately 61,200 tons with a total five-year permit term <br />production anticipated at 306,000 tons. All coal to be mined is privately <br />owned. <br />The portal bench is located approximately 125 vertical feet above the coal <br />storage, crushing, and loadout area. The same conveyor system that transports <br />the coal out of the mine will be used to transport it down the hill to the <br />coal facility area. The coal will run across a shaker screen and will be <br />crushed prior to storage in the appropriate covered storage bin. Four coal <br />products will be stored in separate bins: lump, nugget, stoker, and fines. <br />No washing or other processing is planned for the mine. <br />No underground development waste will be disposed of on the surface; all of <br />this material will be disposed underground in the old workings. <br />The applicant is in compliance with the requirements of this section. <br />-25- <br />