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Wet mixed shrub is the most prevalent vegetation type in the permit area and is characterized by dense shrub stands dominated by serviceberry (Mtelanchier alnifolia) and gambel oak (Quercus gam6elit). The type dominates the north and east facing slopes south of the North Fork of Ute Gunnison River. Steep north facing slopes at higher elevations support stands of dougLts fir (Psetuiotsuga tttettziesit). Riparian vegetation, including cottonwood trees (Populus angusdfolia), shrubs such as willow (Salix spp.) and hawthorne (C7ataegus spp.) and numerous herbaceous species, occurs along undisturbed sections of the North Fork of the Gunnison flood plain. Small areas of Aspen, Juniper-Pinon and Dry meadow vegetation types exist at higher elevations on the permit area. The Wet mixed shnrb and riparian vegetation types have been affected by mining at the Bear No. 1, 2, and 3 surface facilities areas. Mining impacts to the vegetation types at the Bear No. 1 and 3 Mines began in 1934. The area at the Bear No. 2 Mine was disturbed in 1980. Revegetation activities have taken place at the Bear No. 1 and 2 disturbed areas. Revegetation of the Bear No. 3 surface disturbance will commence when active mining ceases. Fish and Wildlife -Rules 2.04.11. 2.05.6(21. and 4.18 Fish and wildlife resource information is located in Section 2.04.1 of the Bear No. 1 and 2 permit application and Sections 2.04.11 and 4.18 and Exhibit 10 of the Bear No. 3 permit revision application. Information describing the mitigation of coal mining impacts on fish • and wildlife is presented in Section 2.05.6 of the Bear No. 1 and 2 permit application and Sections 2.05.4 and 2.05.6 of the Bear No. 3 permit revision application. Numerous wildlife species inhabit the general area. Mule deer and elk which utilize the mountain shrub habitat in, and adjacent to, the permit arra throughout the year are the most prominent big game species. The northern bald eagle is a winter resident along the North Fork of the Gunnison River. and is the only rare or endangered wildlife species in the area.. The North Fork of the Gunnison River from Paonia Reservoir downstream five miles to Somerset is stocked by the Division of Wildlife with rainbow trout and supports an estimated 2,000 angler days per year. Below Somerset to the confluence with the Gunnison River, the fishery is less important, with rough fish such as suckers, scuplins and northern pike making up a Lager proportion of We fish population. Description of Operations and Reclamation Plan A description of mining operations at the Bear No. 1 and 2 Mines is located in Sections 2.05.2 and 2.05.3 of the Bear No. 1 and 2 permit application. Mining operations at the Bear No. 3 Mine are described in Sections 2.05.2, 2.05.3 and 4.02 to 4.11, and Maps 9 and 10 of the Bear No. 3 Permit Revision No. 1 application, Section 2.05-7 and map 9-a of Permit Revision No. 2 application, and in Exhibits 14 and 19 of the Bear midterm response. The Bear Coal Company currently extracts coal from the Bear No. 3 Mine. No coal has been extracted from the Bear No. 1 and 2 Mines since June of 1982. The Bear No. 3 Mine is an underground room and pillar operaiion, currently producing an average of 450,000 to 500,000 tons of coal per year from the B-Seam. The coal mined by Bear Coal Company is 11