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There are no known raptor nests within the application area. No <br />listed Federal or State threatened or endangered animal species are <br />known to occur on the proposed lease area. <br />• GS'7LTURAL RESOURCES <br />A Class I (existing data) inventory was conducted and no known <br />cultural resource properties lie within the proposed lease <br />boundaries. inventories on adjacent Iands indicate a low likelihood <br />of prehistoric cultural resources within the boundaries of the lease <br />area. However, historic resources have been found on adjacent lands <br />and could be expected to occur within the proposed lease area. Such <br />resources may be related to coal mining or an adjacent homestead <br />(patented 1938). <br />LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION <br />The entire surface estate of the lease a <br />except for a reservation for ditches and <br />the authority of the United States. The <br />mineral reserved to the United States on <br />W1/2SE1/4. All minerals are reserved to <br />SW1/4NE1/4. <br />rea is in private ownership, <br />canals constructed under <br />coal estate is the only <br />Lot 4, SE1/45W1/4 and <br />the United States on the <br />The area is utilized for livestock grazing by the surface owner, Mr. <br />Lawrence Huntington. There would be no change of the surface use if <br />the lease were issued. <br /> Hay Gulch has historically been a coal producing area. Numerous <br /> aban doned mines exist throughout the Hay Gulch drainage. The King <br />• Coal <br />Hay Mine <br />Gulch is currently the only active coal mining operation in the <br />area and in LaPlata County. <br /> SOCI OECONOMICS <br /> Blue Flame Mine <br />The Blue Flame mine is currently under Temporary Cessation of <br />Operations status with the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation <br />Division. The mine operated during the period of 1978 to 1981 and <br />coal production was primarily supplying domestic needs. Since 1981, <br />the mine has recorded no production. There are currently no <br />individuals employed at the mine. <br />King Coal Mine <br />National King Coal, Inc. has a strong local hiring policy. <br />Management feels that local people are more stable and dependable, <br />and therefore, more likely to stay with the mine than imported <br />labor. For these reasons they prefer to train local people to meet <br />their needs. <br />National King Coal's primary customers are two cement plants located <br />in New Mexico and Arizona. The mine also supplies coal for <br />residential heating to local customers who pick it up in their own <br />• <br />11 <br />