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~. BAC%GROUND AND HISTORY The Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act of 1973 (Amended) and the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 require surface coal mining and reclamation operations be conducted in a manger that protects the environment, restores fish and wildlife habitat, and achieves the post-mine land uses. The post-mine land uses at Peabody Energy's (Peabody) operations in northwest Colorado aze wildlife and grazing. Reclamation operations over the last 30 years at these operations have resulted in stable and productive re-vegetated landscapes that increase habitat diversity and quality and benefit many spedes including Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympauuchur phasianellur columbiauur) (CSTG). Mining and reclamation have been similaz at Peabody's Seneca Complex, Twentymile complex, and Hayden Gulch Mine resulting in important habitat and wildlife population beaefits effectively demonstrated on a regional basis. With this in mind, all three mining operations aze included in this nomination. Seneca Coal Company (SCC) located approximately 7 miles southeast of Hayden, Colorado includes three separate properties: the Seneca II, Seneca II-West and Yoast mines. SCC began coal production in 1968 at the Seneca II Mine. The tnining progressed to Seneca II-West in 1990 and to Yoast is 1996. Annual coal production averaged 1.5 million tons at the Seneca Complex. Dtaglines were used to remove overburden and expose steeply dipping coal seams over 20 degrees. Coal production ceased in 20061eaving over 4,000 acres of ]ands either reclaimed or in final stages of reclamation. SCC has implemented a successful reclamation program despite a climate of changing regulations, high altitude, fluctuating weather patterns, and very steep slopes. Twentymile Coal Company (TCC) operates the Foidel Creek underground coal mine, located approximately 20 miles southwest of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Underground mining operations were initiated in 1983 from an existing surface mine fughwall, when the depth to the mineable coal seam reached the point where it was no longer economical to mine the coal using surface mining methods. Previous surface min operations of the Eckman Pazk mine were initiated in 1962 and resulted in surface disturbance and reclamation of approximately 4,100 acres. The mining was conducted with draglines under conditions similaz to mines at the Seneca Complex. Reclatation was completed by the late 1980's. The Hayden Gulch Mine (HGTI), part of HGTI, Inc., is located 8 miles south of Hayden and operated from 1978 to 1986. Upon cessation, the final mine highwall was completely backfilled and graded, topsoiled and seeded by the end of 1986. The office/shop/wazehouse facilities, located west of Routt County Road 53, were completely reclaimed and re-vegetated in the fall of 1987. This mine operated under similaz conditions described for the Seneca Complex using scrapers and dozers. Final disturbance and rerlamaton totaled 366 acres. The Colorado Division of 1eclamaton, Mini a and Safety approved fmal bond release and terminated the Hayden Gulch Mine permit, C-80-003, in October 2006. The reclamation programs at the three operations were conducted similarly. Following coal removal, the pits were backfilled and re-graded to the approved contours, drainage controls were established, and topsoil replaced. Re-vegetation establishes a predominantly herbaceous cover necessary to shbilize the reclaired lands effectively and return productivity. Early re-vegetation included agronomic grasses and alfalfa. Over time, these were largely replaced by native grasses, forbs, and woody species. Woody establishment has been least for tall shrubs because of changes in site characteristics and competition with herbaceous spedes. Greatest woody plant success has been with low shmbs such as big sagebrush and snowberry, which are better adapted to the deep profile of reclaimed sites and aze mote competitive with herbaceous species. This mix of shrubs and herbaceous cover provides excellent wildlife habitat ENVIROMENTAL SETTING The three Peabody operations are located in the steeply sloping topography of the Williams Fork Mountains of NW Colorado. These uplifted and tilted formations, ra in elevation from 6800 to 8500 feet. The