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• elevation. There are no records of the Black-footed ferret from southwestern Colorado. There is no suitable habitat (e. g., steep canyons, dense forested areas) for the Mexican spotted owl +vithin or near [he 160 acre proposed lease modification area. There are no riparian areas in the project area providing potential habitat for the Southwestern willow flycatcher. Bald eagle tnay incidentally occur itt the project area at any time ofthe year. The highest density of Bald eagles in the county occurs during the winter months (Nov-Mar). Overwintering Bald eagles commonly utilize river comdors in the county. No winter roost sites or nesting areas are known in the vicinity of the project area. LAND USE The entire surface estate of the proposed modification area is in private ownership, except for a reservation for ditches and canals constructed under the authority of the United States. The coal estate is the only mineral reserved to the United Slates on all of the proposed modification area except for the E%:NE%< of Section 6. The E%:NE'/4 of Section 6 has coal and oil and gas reserved to the United States. The proposed modification area is utilized for livestock grazing. Ronald Crawford, Norris Crawford and Mazc Crawford are indicated as the surface owners of the proposed modification azea within Sections 6 and 7, and Marshall F. Herrera, et.al. is indicated as the surface owner of the proposed modification area within Section 8. TRANSPORTATION With a production rate of approximately 300,000 tons per year, there will continue to be an estimated 18 to 28 coal trucks (30 ton trucks) travelling County Road 120 east of the King Coal mine site and Colorado State Highway 140 south of Hay Gulch. SOCIOECONOMICS National King Coal has a strong local hiring policy. Management feels that local people are more stable and dependable, and therefore, more likely to stay with the mine than imported labor. For these reasons they prefer to train local people to meet their needs. The total employment at the King Coal Mine is currently 37 people. The employment by National King Coal represents 100% of the employment in the underground coal mining sector. Additionally, National King Coal is one of the largest employers in La Plata County. In 1998, the King Coal Mine paid approximately $2,500,000 in salaries to its employees. The King Coal Mine pays substantial amounts in federal, state, and local taxes. In 1998, the