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<br />type occurs at lower elevations and is generally associated with <br />shallow, silty soils. The mountain shrub type occurs primarily <br />along steep valley aide slopes within the same elevational range <br />as aspen in the proposed permit area. Pastureland, primarily <br />smooth brome pasture, occurred in various locations throughout <br />the permit area prior to mining while winter wheat and <br />alfalfa/grass croplands occurred along Foidel Creek and in the <br />vicinity of Mine 2, in the northern portion of the permit area. <br />Various meadow vegetation types occur in narrow belts along major <br />drainages in the permit area. A significant acreage of pre-law <br />spoil ridges which were leveled off on top and seeded to alfalfa, <br />sweetclover, and various grasses exists in the vicinity of <br />Mine 1. <br />Numerous wildlife species inhabit the general area of the mine. <br />Species of primary interest include elk (both calving areas and <br />winter range occur on the permit area), mule deer, sage and <br />sharptail grouse and various raptor species (two golden eagle <br />nests have been documented within the permit area). Numerous <br />other small game and non-game animals and migrating birds occur <br />within the permit area at various times of the year. <br />One historic site listed in the National Register of Historic <br />Places, the Foidel Canyon Schoolhouse, is located in the <br />northeastern portion of the permit area on Foidel Creek, in a <br />location which will not be affected by mining. <br />Pre-mine land uses in the permit and adjacent areas include <br />pastureland, rangeland and cropland. Cropland was generally <br />limited to relatively gentle slopes at lower elevations prevalent <br />in the northern portion of the permit area in the vicinity of <br />Mine 2, as well as valley bottom land along Foidel Creek and Fish <br />Creek. Rangeland supporting both livestock grazing and wildlife <br />habitat was prevalent within Eckman Park, while pastureland was <br />scattered throughout the permit area. <br />Description of the Operations and Reclamation Plan <br />The Eckman Park Mine Complex consists of several adjacent mine <br />areas operated by Colorado Yampa Coal Company under permit <br />#C-81-071. The mining technique employed by CYCC was dip slope <br />area strip mining similar to other large surface mining <br />operations in Routt County. Draglines were used as the primary <br />overburden removal equipment. <br />Permitted areas include, Mine 1, Mine 2, and Eckman Park. Mine 2 <br />is located on a dip slope to the north of Foidel Creek. At Mine <br />2, the Fish Creek seam was extracted. Mining was completed in <br />1980, with backfilling, topsoiling and revegetation completed <br />contemporaneously. <br />9 <br />