1993-06-08_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981041

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supports a variety of grasses , shrubs and trees , including willows (Salix spp. ) , cottonwoods (Populus spp• ) , salt cedar (Tamarix parviflora) , and bluegrass (Poa spp. ) . Further information on vegetation can be found in Section 2.04. 10, pages 109- 118, of the permit and Section B.VIII . of this document. Wildlife Canyon walls in the permit area provide potential raptor nesting sites . The river is used by waterfowl during migration, wintering and nesting seasons . The northwestern portion of the permit, several miles from the surface facilities , provides winter range for mule deer, while the western third of the Cameo Mine permit area is part of a federally designated wild horse management area. During winter months , Bald Eagles have been observed along the Colorado River through DeBeque Canyon. Three species of threatened or endangered fish may potentially inhabit the Colorado River in this area. These three fish species include Colorado Squawfish, Razorback Sucker, and Humpback Chub. Additional information on the wildlife in the area can be found in Section 2 .04. 11 , pages 118-131 , of the permit. Land Use Due to the long mining history of the area, the post-mining land use for the permitted area is undeveloped land. Undeveloped land is, by definition, land with no current use or level of management. The canyon itself is zoned for industrial use. Description of the Operation and Reclamation Plans The general description of the mining operations and facilities have been reviewed by the Division for compliance with Rules and Regulations . The general description of mine operations can be found in Sections 2.05.2 and 2.05. 3 of Volume I of the application . According to current plans , a total of 2112 acres will be affected through the year 1998. The area presently disturbed by surface facilities is 369 acres . There are no plans to disturb any further acreage , with the exception of the construction of Cameo Refuse Disposal Area No. 3, which will disturb approximately 55 acres . Room-and-pillar mining methods are to be used in recovering the mineable coal reserves within the permit area. The anticipated annual production from the Roadside workings is 225,000 tons of clean coal during the 1993-1998 permit term. The Cameo workings remain inactive. The coal seam to be mined is the Cameo "B" seam, which varies from four feet in thickness to a maximum of 11 feet . Room-and-pillar panels will be typically developed using a five- entry system. Major equipment at the mine will include continuous miners , shuttle cars , roof bolters , shearers , hydraulic shields , and belt conveyors . Rooms will be -9-