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-25- <br />Pursuant to the finding required by Rule 2.07.6(2)(n), and on the basis of <br />available information, the Division finds the proposed operation will not <br />affect the continued existence of endangered or threatened species, or result <br />in the destruction or adverse modification of their critical habitat. <br />The application meets all the requirements of this section. <br />XIII. Prime Farmland - Rules 2.04.12. 2.06.6 <br />The Division has made a negative determination for the presence of prime <br />farmlands within the proposed permit area. The decision was based on <br />information presented in Section 2.04.12 of the permit application, including <br />a letter of negative determination from the Durango office of the U.S. Soil <br />Conservation Service. <br />The proposed operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. <br />XIV <br />General Information <br />The operational plan for the Carbon Junction Mine is described in Section <br />2.05.2 and depicted on Map 5-2 of the amended permit application. The <br />production method to be utilized at the Carbon Junction Mine will be a <br />truck and shovel/loader operation augmented by scrapers and dozers, as <br />necessary. The operation will involve opening an initial pit with <br />sufficient room to create a steady state haulback method of mining. The <br />initial cut material will be placed in a permanent excess spoil disposal <br />area. Three main coal seams will be removed during the mining <br />operation. The mining will proceed by placing the spoil from sequential <br />cuts into the mined out area. The final cut will be backfilled and <br />regraded. If additional material is needed to fill the final pit cut, it <br />will be taken from portions of the permanent excess spoil disposal area, <br />located above the elevation of the reconstructed stream channel. <br />The annual production of coal from the Carbon Junction Mine will be <br />approximately 500,000 tons, or about 50,000 tons per month, after all <br />facilities are in place and the mine has reached full operation. The <br />total life-of-mine is projected as 5 years, with a total production of <br />2,500,000 tons. A coal preparation plant is planned, in order to improve <br />the quality of product coal. The operational description contained <br />within the amended application is found to be in compliance with the <br />requirements of the permanent program regulations. <br />Mine Facilities and Coal Handling Structures <br />A discussion of mine facilities and coal handling structures can be found <br />in Volume I page 50-57 and on Map 5-l. <br />Operation Description - Rules <br />