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. -25- XI II. Fish and Iildlife - Rules 2.0<.11, 2.05.6(2), and 4.18 (con't) Division staff has consulted with Di~:isicn of .Wildlife (DO!J) personnel who are faniliar with the area. Both agencies agree that there is little potential for adverse effects of the mine on wildlife since nearly all of the anticipated surface disturbance has occurred and a very limited area is affected. Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(n) and on the basis of available information, the Division finds that the proposed activities will not affect the continued existence of endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of their critical habitats. XIV. Prime Farmland - Rules 2.04.12, 2.06.6, and 4.25 The applicant has provided a discussion pertaining to the existence of prime farmland at McClane Canyon in Section 4.1.2.4 of the application. The Soil Conservation Service has issued a negative determination on the presence of prime farmland within the permit area (see Appendix L, Volume IV of the application). The applicant has satisfactorily demonstrated that no prime farmland exists xithin the permit area. The Division finds the proposed operation in compliance with Rule 2.07.6(2)(k). XV. Operations Description - Rules 2.05.2, 2.05.3(1), 2.05.3(2), and 4.01 A description of the general operations plan for the McClane Canyon Mine is given in Seetion 2.0, Volume I of the application. The applicant intends to advance mining into the graben during the next three years to determine the feasibility of mining beyond this permit term. The operation is an underground mine removing coal using roam and pillar techniques. Total life of the operation will depend on an assessment of recoverability of coal which will be determined as mining progresses. Approximately 123,800 tons of coal will be removed from the mine per year. The total anticipated product is 369,500 tons over the three year permit term. Approximately 7.7 acres of surface disturbance will occur during the permit term. The U.S. Geological Survey, has reviewed the McClane Canyon !fine Plan for compliance with the Mineral Leasing Act and [he 30 CFR 211 regulations. The agency has found the mine plan to be in compliance with the plineral Leasing Act (see Memorandum to Assistant Secretary for Energy and Minerals). 09. 4 4(2)(a), 2.05.4(2)(c), A description of the backfilling plan for the ![cClane Canyon 41ine is presented in Section 3.1 of the application. Because the mine is an underground mine, C only a limited area of surface disturbance will require backfilling and grading.