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_13_ <br />II. Land Use - Rules 2.04.3, 2.05.5, and 4.16 <br />The discussion of pre- and post-mining land use in the permit and <br />adjacent areas can be found in Volume 1, pages 2.04-2 through 2.04-5 of <br />the permit application. <br />There is considerable surface disturbance currently at the site as a <br />result of past underyround mining. The last underground mine within the <br />proposed mine plan area closed in 1972. Since that time the land use has <br />been rangeland. The condition of the range is poor due to the mining <br />disturbance and overgrazing. By mining through and burying old mining <br />refuse and discarded material, regrading and revegatating the area, and <br />properly managiny grazing and protecting range conditions, the quality of <br />the rangeland in the reclaimed areas should be significantly improved. <br />The applicant proposes to return the disturbed area to rangeland. This <br />land use is consistent and compatible with adjacent land use. The <br />Division has determined that based on information and the reclamation <br />plan proposed by the applicant the achievement of this land use is <br />feasible. Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(1), the Division hereby approves <br />the post-mining land use of the proposed operation. It is determined <br />that rangeland meets the requirements of Rule 4.16. <br />The proposed operation is in compliance with the requirements of this <br />section. <br />III. Cultural and Historic Resources -Rules 2.04.4 and 2.05.6(4) <br />Based on cultural resource inventories supplied by the applicant and a <br />review by the State Historic Preservation Officer it has been determined <br />that no cultural and historic resources listed on the National Register <br />of Historic Places have been identified within the permit area. Many <br />sites which are not listed or eligible for listing were identified within <br />the permit area during the inventories. These sites include old tipple <br />and surface facilities associated with the many old underground mines. <br />There are also remains of old settlements and trash dumps. Some of the <br />features are within the proposed area of the active pit and will <br />therefore be destroyed. However, none are significant, unique, or in <br />good condition, so they do not warrant preservation. Information on <br />these features and a discussion of potential cultural and historic <br />resources can be found in Volume 1, pages 2.04-8 through 2.04-10 of the <br />permit application. <br />Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(e), the Division finds that the mining <br />operation will not adversely affect any publicly owned park or place <br />listed on the National Register of Historic Places. <br />The proposed operation is in compliance with the requirements of this <br />section. <br />