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periods. If periodic visits are required within the buffer zone after development, activ~ry <br />sfiould be restricted to the hours of 10 am and 2 pm from November 15 thrcugh March <br />15. <br />S Criterion 14: Riparian zones are present within the review area and are suitable for coal leasing <br />only with inclusion of the following special stipulation to protect resident and migratory bird <br />species: <br />1. A 1/8 mile buffer zone (660 ft.l will be protected on either side of riparian zones (or a <br />buffer zone may be established in accordance with the surface management agency <br />guidelinesl. <br />2. No surface disturbances, except surface subsidence, will be permitted within these <br />buffer zones, unless no practical alternatives exist. <br />3. All unavoidable surface disturbance will require approval of the USFS or BLM's <br />Authorized Officer, after consultation with both the Fish and Wildlife Service and the <br />Colorado Division of Wildlife to determine the type and extent of allowable variances. A <br />site specific analyses will determine if this stipulation will apply. <br />Criterion 15: If areas are determined by CDOW to be mule deer and elk crucial winter range, the <br />following stipulations shall he applied: <br />1. Coal related facilities and surface disturbances except subsicence will be authorized in <br />the review area only if no practical alternatives exist. <br />2. The BLM will coordinate with the Colorado Division of Wildlife to determine the type and <br />extent of allowable variances. <br />• 3. Coal exploration, facility construction, and major scheduled maintenance will not be <br />authorized within these crucial winter ranges from December 1 through April 30. <br />4. All unavoidable surface disturbances within these crucial Lvinter ranges during these <br />times will require approval of the BLM's Authorized Officer. <br />Criterion 19: A potential Alluvial Valley Floor on the proposed lease tract is the Quaternary <br />Alluvium associated with the North Fork of the Gunnison River. This area has already been <br />found to be unsui[able for coal extraction under Criteria Number 1 6 - 'Federal Lands in Special <br />Floodplains'. However, a concern remains that mining associated activities on other parts of <br />the proposed lease could materially damage the quantity and/or quality of water that supplies <br />this AVF, due to the potential hydraulic connection between the AVF and Mesaverde Formation. <br />Due to insufficient data, a determination can not be made until a mine plan for the area has <br />been submitted. At that time, the Regulatory Official will make a finding concerning possible <br />material damage to the alluvial valley floor. As a result of the finding, some restrictions to the <br />mining operations may be necessary. <br />-. <br />Ac_ end ix =, ?age 12 <br />