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-~- the mining operation on fish and wildlife. This information is found on pages 19 and 15 and in Exhibit 7. The affect of the mining operation on wildlife is expected to be minimal for the following reasons: 1) The sur- face disturbance is small (3.22 acres) and will not be increased in size; 2) There are no critical or unique habitats which will be affected by the mining operation; and 3) The plant species chosen for reclamation will provide food and cover for wildlife. Pursuant to the finding required by 2.07.6(2)(n) and on the basis of avail- able information, the Division finds the proposed operation will not affect the continued existence of endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of their critical habitats. The proposed operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. Rules 2.09,12, 2.06.6 and 4.25 - Prime Farmlands The Division has made a negative determination on the presence of prime farmlands based on information from the Soil Conservation Service and in the permit application in Exhibit 9. , Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(k), the Division Finds the proposed operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. XV. Rules 2.05.2, 2.05.3(1), and 2.05.3(2) - Operations Description Information on the operations description can be found on pages 9 to 5 and 11 thru 13 and in Exhibits 2, 6, 7, 10, I1 and 13. This information was reviewed by the Division for compliance with the Act and the regulations. OC #2 employs a conventional room and pillar underground mining method. Rooms are 20 feet wide on 90 to 100 foot centers. Coal is mined by under- cutting the coal with a cutting machine, drilling the face and blasting. R locomotive and two ton cars are used to haul the coal to the surface. The surface operations associated with the underground mining include crushing, stockpiling and loading coal. This activity is contained within the 3.22 acres of disturbance. The existing structures on the surface include the shed, repair shop, oil storage area, tipple, office, privy, and explosives storage area. Anon-coal waste pile area has been proposed in the event that the operator must temporarily or permanently cease backfilling the material in the underground workings. (See Section XVZI Dackfilling and Grading of this document.) The operator is contemplating installing a truck scale in the future in the current area of distrubance. The appli- cant does not intend to increase the disturbed area during the permit term. The Division was concerned that the mining plan map showed that the appli- cant would be mining off the present Federal lease boundary into a Federal lease block for which they have applied. 1lowever, the proposed operation was found to be in compliance after the applicant produced a letter from the USGS stating that the applicant was given permission to mine up to the fault north of the present workings. Otherwise, the coal would be lost after re- treat mining began at GL^ #2. Furthermore, the mining plan submitted for