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annual weeds raises this percentage to 15 percent cover for grass-like plants. Again, most <br />of the cover (47 percent by species composition) is provided by sagebrush. <br />VIII. Protection of Fish, Wildlife, and Related Environmental Values <br />Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(n), on the basis of information supplied by the operator and the <br />fact that areas to be disturbed have been previously disturbed by coal mining, the Division <br />fords that the proposed activities would not affect the continued existence of any <br />endangered species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of their critical <br />habitats. <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 (4.18(4)(1)). <br />IX. Subsidence Control <br />A. The applicant has proposed a subsidence control plan in accordance with <br />Rule 2.05.6(6) and has committed to adopt all measures in order to reduce the <br />likelihood of subsidence, prevent material damage, or mitigate the effects. The <br />Division approved the plan (4.20.1(2) and 4.20.3(1)). To date, significant <br />subsidence has not been observed above the mine. Vertical displacement of <br />monuments has been less than 0.5 feet. <br />B. The applicant has proposed a subsidence monitoring program, in accordance with <br />Rule 2.05.6(6)(c), designed to determine the commencement and magnitude of <br />subsidence movements. The monitoring plan consists of 26 survey points along the <br />line of minimum subsidence to be monitored biannually during development and <br />quarterly during active mining. The results of the monitoring program will be <br />submitted to the Division semi-annually. The monitoring program is designed to <br />extend for a time beyond cessation of mining in any area, consistent with the need <br />for verification of the subsidence prediction. <br />X. Operations on Alluvial Valley Floors <br />A. AVF Determination <br />The applicant has provided the results of an alluvial valley floor reconnaissance <br />investigation on pages 54 through 58 of the application. The study area, which <br />included all lands lying within a 1'fz-mile radius of the permit area boundary, is <br />shown on Figure 1, page 56, of the application. Three perennial streams occur <br />within the study area -Harvey Gap Drainage, West Elk Creek, and the Colorado <br />River. The mine is located on Harvey Gap Drainage, which is used as a conduit <br />for irrigation water from Grass Valley Reservoir approximately 'h mile north of <br />the mine portals to irrigated terraces of the Colorado River approximately 1 mile <br />south of the mine portals. <br />17 <br />