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B. Sage Grouse <br />A sage grouse mitigation plan starts on page 2.05-69 of the Permit. Mitigation measures include <br />elimination of grazing in the permit area, reduction of grazing in adjacent Colowyo lands, and <br />rejuvenation ofdecadent shrub vegetation. The latter practice was discontinued in 1987. Seeding of <br />mountain big sagebrush has been required, since the approval of TR-52, in 2002. <br />C. Golden Eagles and Other Raptors <br />Several species of raptors were observed by VTN, Colorado, Inc. (contractor) personnel during <br />baseline data collection in 1974-1977; many were year-round residents (page 2.04.11-1, Permit). <br />Golden eagle nests were sighted along Goodspring Creek within the permit azea. Raptor sightings aze <br />shown on Map 15 of the Permit. Limited surveys have been conducted since 1977. <br />Electric power poles located within the permit azea are constructed to minimize potential electrical <br />hazards to lazge raptors. Persistent pesticides are not be used on the mine site. <br />D. Specific Findings Required by Rule 4.18 <br />Fish and wildlife habitat is a planned post-mining land use. The Applicant has selected <br />appropriate plant species and distributions to benefit fish and wildlife [Rule 4.18(4)(I)]. <br />XVII. Protection of Underground Mining -Rule 4.19 <br />Colowyo will conduct no coal mining closer than 500 feet to any point of either an active or <br />abandoned underground mine. Underground coal mines have been operated in the past, as discussed <br />in Section 2.04.4, but their locations were on the northern side of Streeter Draw, well over 500 feet <br />from present Colowyo mining. The surface mining activities of Colowyo have been designed so as <br />not to endanger any present or future operations of either surface or underground mining operations <br />[Rules 4.19(1) and 4.22.4(1)]. <br />XVIII. Subsidence Control -Rule 4.20 <br />The Permit was found to comply with Rule 4.20. <br />Colowyo is mainly a surface coal mining operation. A small area was auger mined (see XXI below). <br />Subsidence over the auger mining was not considered a significant concern. The possibility of lazge <br />scale pillar failure over an area sufficient to produce surface effects was considered very low. <br />(CTL/Thompson, Inc., Auger Mining Analysis, February 5, 1996). No renewable resources or <br />structures overlie the auger mined azea. (PAP, page 4.23-2) [Rules 2.05.6(6) and 4.20]. There is no <br />current requirement for monitoring of subsidence by Colowyo at the Colowyo Mine. <br />Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance 4 May 2007 <br />Permit Revision 02 Page 60 <br />