Laserfiche WebLink
from meeting the regulatory criteria of an alluvial valley floor. The~~e fields are <br />located in Armand Draw and Scotchmans Gulch. (2.07.6(2) and 2.06.8(3)(C)). <br />For additional specific findings concerning alluvial valley floors please see Section <br />B, X. <br />13. The Division hereby approves the post-mining land use of the operation. It was <br />determined that a primary use of livestock grazing and a secondary us~~ as wildlife <br />habitat meets the requirements of Rule 4.16 for the permit azea. (2.07.6(2)(1)). <br />14. Three species of birds identified by the Colorado Division of Wildlife as endangered <br />species are known to occur within the proposed Yoast permit area. They are the <br />Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, the greater sandhill crane, and the bald eagle. The <br />bald eagle is also a federally listed endangered species. None of these birds are <br />known to breed on or near the permit area. The operation and reclamation plans <br />include avoidance, restoration, and monitoring measures of the above mentioned <br />species which should preclude destruction of habitat for these species: In conjunction <br />with wildlife monitoring efforts during the mining operation, Seneca Coal Company <br />will also monitor for the occurrence of other endangered spe<;ies which may occur <br />in the mining area. The presence of any such species will be reported to appropriate <br />government agencies. <br />Seneca Coal Company estimates the Yoast mining operation m;ay result in an annual <br />depletion of as much as 48.9 acre-feet of surface water from the Colorado River <br />basin. The USFWS determined that this depletion may affect the future occurrence <br />of the Colorado squawfish, razorback sucker, bonytail chub, and humpback chub. <br />These four species of fish are federally listed as endangered <.~pecies. F[owever, an <br />ongoing habitat recovery project conducted by USFWS serves to mitigate impacts due <br />to water depletion from the river basin. <br />No threatened or endangered plant species were identified in the prop~~sed permit <br />area i <br />On the basis of information submitted by Seneca foal Company, the U..S. Fish and <br />Wildlife Service, and the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the Division fords that the <br />activities proposed by the applicant would not affect the continued existence of <br />endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification <br />of their critical habitats. (2.07.6(2)(n)). <br />15. The Division has contacted the Office of Surface Mining, Recl<unation Fees Branch <br />through the use of the Applicant Violator System (AVS). As of this time Seneca Coal <br />Company, the operator, is current in the payment of reclamation fees required by 30 <br />CFR Chapter VII, subchapter R. (2.07.6(2)(0)). <br />Yoast Mine 20 July 6, 1995 <br />