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and reclamation plans. Subsequent revisions to the permit application package by SCC addressed <br />each of the concerns identified by the USFWS. <br />On January 35, 1995, the Division received comments on the application from the U. S. Bureau of <br />Land Management (BLM). The BLM found there were no compliance problems with special lease <br />stipulations or regulations of their agency, none of the lands within the federal leases were <br />considered unsuitable for mining and reclamation, there were no conflicts between post-mining land <br />uses and existing BLM land management plans, proposed measures to protect federal resources not <br />covered by the rights granted by the federal coal lease were adequate, and that the proposed operation <br />would conform to the Mineral Leasing Act of February 20, 1920. <br />On March 10, 1995, the Division received comments regarding the application from the Colorado <br />Division of Wildlife (DOW). DOW noted comments in the application with which they disagreed. <br />Specifically, it was DOW's contention that there may be detrimental impacts to the sharp-tail grouse <br />and sage grouse, due to lek loss, and that reclaimed areas would not approximate original conditions <br />of vegetative and animal community diversity, structure, composition, or biomass. DOW did not <br />make any recommendations for mitigative measures, but requested they be included in any <br />monitoring done in connection with the permit. The reclamation plan for the Yoast Mine will serve <br />to mitigate impacts to these bird populations as noted in Section A of this document. Additional <br />wildlife monitoring proposed by SCC will help to verify the occurrence and mitigation of potential <br />impacts to these bird populations. <br />Permit Revision No. 1 was received by the Division on March O1, 1999. This permit revision <br />provides the updated, detailed life-of-mine plans for the mining, reclamation and related operations <br />for the Yoast Mine past the existing five-year permit term. The application was deemed complete <br />for the purposes of filing on March 09, 1999. Appropriate agencies were notified of the application <br />by letters dated March 09, 1999. Notice of the application was published in the Steamboat Pilot on <br />March 24 and 31, 1999 and on April 07 and 14, 1999. Division adequacy review letters were sent <br />to Seneca Coal Company on April 23, 1999; May 14, 1999; August 31, 1999; September 2, 1999; <br />and September 8, 1999. All concerns were adequately addressed by Seneca Coal Company. Seneca <br />Coal Company responses and all comments received from other agencies are available for review <br />at the Division office. The proposed decision to approve the revision was issued on October 18, <br />1999. <br />On January 28, 2000, a permit renewal application was received by the Division for a successive five <br />year permit term. The application was deemed complete for the purposes of filing on February 1, <br />2000. Appropriate agencies were notified of the permit renewal application by letters dated February <br />1, 2000. Notice of the application was published in the Steamboat Pilot on Febtuaty 9, 16, and 23, <br />2000 and March 1, 2000. Division adequacy review letters were sent to Seneca Coal Company on <br />February 10, 2000 and on January 16, 2001. All concerns were adequately addressed by Seneca <br />Coal Company. Seneca Coal Company responses to the Division's adequacy review letters are <br />available for review at the Division office. The proposed decision to approve the permit renewal <br />application was issued on March 06, 2001. <br />Yoast Mine g March 6, 2001 <br />