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Breeding Birds <br />Forty one species of breeding birds were observed during the surveys. Species distribution <br />observed in specific habitats were: 28 species in bottomland areas, 20 species in mountain <br />brush, 17 species in aspen, and 15 species in sagebrush. <br />Small Mammals <br />Six species of rodents and one species of shrew were captured during the survey. <br />Other Mammals <br />Other mammals observed during the survey were porcupine, yellow-bellied marmot, coyote, <br />red squirrel, and bat. Species identified by sign but not observed were badger, beaver, and <br />skunk. <br />Four species of high federal and state interest were observed on or near the proposed Yoast <br />Mine permit area. Those species are: <br />Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Colorado DOW endangered species) <br />Greater sandhill crane (Colorado DOW endangered species) <br />Bald eagle (Federal and Colorado endangered species) <br />Northern goshawk (Federalcandidateforendangeredspecieslisting). <br />Description of the Operation and Reclamation Plans <br />The coal will be mined by surface mining methods, beginning in the northern section of the <br />permit boundary, then progressing south in subsequent permit terms. The majority of the <br />coal will be mined from the Wadge seam, the exception being the mining area located in <br />the southwest part of Section 20 and the northeast part of Section 29, where Wolf Creek <br />Coal will also be mined. The initial boxcut will be located in the northeast area of Section <br />17, and progress upgradient to the southeast..Mining in the next permit term will.be in the <br />neck area, moving southward through the eastern portion of Section 17. Mining during the <br />third permit term will be in Section 19. <br />The Wadge coal seam is overlain by 50 to 60 feet of sandstones, with interbedded shales and <br />siltstones. The thickness of the Wadge coal to be mined is 9 to 13 feet. The Wolf Creek <br />coal seam is overlain by 150 to 215 feet of sandstones, shales, siltstones, and thin coals. The <br />Wolf Creek seam, in the area to be mined, ranges from 12 to 18 feet in thickness. <br />Production rates at the mine for the first pernrit term will average 773,700 tons per year. <br />The mine is expected to operate until 2009, producing a total of 8,575,400 tons of coal. <br />Yoast Miec ]3 July 6, 1995 <br />