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For additional specific findings concerning alluvial valley Floors please see Section B, X. <br />13. The Division hereby approves the post-training land use of the operation. It was determined <br />that a primary use of livestock grazing and a secondary use as wildlife habitat meets the <br />requirements of Rule 4.16 for the pemtit area. (2.07.6(2)(1)). <br />14. Three species of birds identified by the Colorado Division of Wildlife as endangered species <br />aze known to occur within the proposed Yoas[ permit area. They are the Columbian sharp- <br />tailed grouse, the greater sandhill crane, and the bald eagle. The bald eagle is also a federally <br />listed endangered species. None of these birds aze known to breed on or near the pet7rtit area. <br />The operation and reclamation plans include avoidance, restoration, and monitoring <br />measures of the above mentioned species which should preclude destruction of habitat for <br />these species. In conjunction with wildlife monitoring efforts during [he mining operation, <br />Seneca Coal Company will also monitor for the occurrence of other endangered species <br />which may occur in the mining azea. The presence of any such species will be reported to <br />appropriate government agencies. <br />Seneca Coal Company estimates the Yoast mining operation may result in an annual <br />depletion of as much as 53.7 acre-feet of surface water from the Colorado River basin. The <br />USFWS determined that this depletion may affect the future occurrence of the Colorado <br />squawfish, razorback sucker, bonytail chub, and humpback chub. These four species of fish <br />are federally listed as endangered species. However, an ongoing habitat recovery project <br />conducted by USFWS serves to mitigate impacts due to water depletion from the river basin. <br />No threatened or endangered plant species were identified in the proposed permit area. <br />On the basis of information subnutted by Seneca Coal Company, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife <br />Service, and the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the Division finds that the activities proposed <br />by the applicant would not affect the continued existence of endangered or threatened species <br />or result in the destruction or adverse modification of their critical habitats. (2.07.6(2)(n)). <br />15. The Division has contacted the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation Fees Branch through <br />the use of the Applicant Violator System (AVS). As of this time Seneca Coal Company, the <br />operator, is current in the payment of reclamation fees required by 30 CFR Chapter VII, <br />subchapter R. (2.07.6(?)(O)). <br />16. Specific approvals have been granted or aze proposed. These approvals are addressed in the <br />following section, Section B. (2.07.6(Z)(m)). <br />Your Mine 20 Morch 6, 2001 <br />