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<br />to the west of the immediate mine azea, agrass/low shrub community is dominant. Warm season <br />grasses and low shrubs are the major life forms found in this azea. On the north and south-facing <br />sides of the drainage at the mine, a shrub community chazacterized by pinyon pine, juniper, and <br />Gambel's oak is found. Dominance of individual species is vaziable and determined by abiotic <br />(slope, aspect), and biotic (grazing pressure, species tolerance) factors. No chazacteristic <br />vegetative community exists in the vicinity of the ephemeral Stazkville drainage. <br />Description of the Operation and Reclamation Plans <br />During operations coal was mined from five portals in the Lower Stazkville seam using the room <br />and pillar method. Both conventional and continuous equipment was used. Coal was <br />transported to the surface on a 36 inch belt conveyor. Coal was stockpiled and transported to the <br />prepazation plant or to customers directly. Refuse from the prep plant was permanently <br />deposited in the refuse pile located in the northwest portion of the disturbed azea. <br />Following permanent cessation of mining, reclamation activities were undertaken. Structures <br />were dismantled, the Mine No. 2 highwall was backfilled and graded, topsoil was replaced in <br />portions of the disturbed azea and revegetated. Approximately 17.3 acres of disturbance was not <br />covered with topsoil but with a suitable soil substitute. The reclamation plan calls for an <br />evaluation of the success of the revegetation on this azea prior to ant requirement to import any <br />topsoil from off-site. <br />Two loadouts, the Burlington Northern loadout and the Santa Fe loadout, located in city of <br />Trinidad, have been reclaimed and bond has been released. <br />Written Findings <br />Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2) of the Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Boazd <br />for Coal Mining, and the approved state program, the Division of Minerals and Geology or the <br />Boazd must make specific written findings prior to issuance of a permit, permit renewal, or <br />permit revision. These findings aze based on information made available to the Division that <br />demonstrates that the applicant will be able to operate in compliance with the Colorado Surface <br />Coal Mining Reclamation Act and the Regulations promulgated pursuant to the Act. <br />The findings in the following sections required by Rule 2.07.6(2) aze listed in accordance with <br />that Rule. The findings and specific approvals required pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(m) aze listed <br />in accordance with Rule 4 and are organized under subject or discipline subtitles. <br />This is the renewal findings for Permit Renewal No. 3 (RN-03) for the Raton Creek Mine. The <br />previous written findings were reevaluated and updated, if necessary, to reflect changes which <br />have occurred during the past permit term. <br />6 <br />