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of the proposed permit are are designated as pastureland. The slopes <br />occupy approximately 300 acres and are so steep as to largely preclude <br />livestock use. The slopes support a mountain shrub vegetation community <br />which is heavily used by deer and elk during the winter due to the <br />southern exposure and has been deemed critical big game winter range by <br />the Division of Wildlife. For these reasons, the steep south facing <br />slopes would more appropriately be designated rangeland or wildlife <br />habitat. <br />At present, the applicant does not propose to disturb any portion of the <br />steep slope area, and so the land use designation is of little <br />significance. However, should any future mine plan revision propose <br />disturbance within the area designated "Steep Rocky Slope Twentymile <br />Sandstone Outcrop" on Map 3, it would be necessary to reevaluate and <br />possibly redesignate the land use in that area: <br />The applicant is the surface owner of affected lands and proposes to <br />restore disturbed pastureland areas to pastureland and disturbed cropland <br />areas to cropland. <br />Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(1), the Division hereby approves the <br />post-mining land uses of the proposed mine. Based on the information in <br />the reclamation plan, including backfilling and regrading, top soiling and <br />revegetation, the applicant has demonstrated that all areas affected by <br />surface coal mining operations can be restored to conditions that are <br />capable of supporting the proposed uses. The post-mining land uses meet <br />the requirements of Rule 4.16. <br />The permit application is in compliance with this section. <br />III. Cultural and Historic Resources - Rules 2.04.4, 2.05.6(4) and <br />2.07.6 2 e <br />Rule 2.04.4 requires a description of the cultural and historic resources <br />listed on the National Register of Historic places and known <br />archaelogical features within all areas proposed for surface activities <br />or probable subsidence over the life of the mine. A number of <br />archaelogical surveys have been conducted in the proposed permit area and <br />results are presented in Exhibit 6 "A Record Search and Reconnaissance <br />Survey for the Foidel Creek Mine Permit Area". Several historic and <br />prehistoric or protohistoric sites have been identified and are described <br />in the report. <br />The Colorado Regulations require that sites listed on the National <br />Register of Historic Places be protected. The only such site within the <br />permit area is the restored Foidel schoolhouse, which will not be <br />impacted by proposed operations. <br />-11- <br />