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entered into an agreement to share in the sampling and use of data <br />from the reference area. The area was sampled under this plan in <br />1986, 1988, and 1991. <br />VI <br />VII <br />VIII <br />F. The reference areas will be utilized to determine revegetation <br />success in a manner which the Division finds acceptable (4.15.7(4)). <br />Post-Mining Land Use <br />The Division has approved the post-mining land use of the operation. <br />It was determined that rangeland, wildlife habitat, and light <br />industrial land use meet the requirements of Rule 4.16. <br />Protection of Fish, Wildlife, and Related Environmental Issues <br />Fish and wildlife habitat is a planned post-mining land use. The <br />applicant has selected appropriate plant species and distributions to <br />benefit fish and wildlife. Four different seed mixes were selected for <br />use in reclaiming the backfilled area. These seed mixes should promote <br />a diverse and stable habitat to benefit wildlife usage (4.18(4)(i)>. <br />Based on consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, <br />the Division finds that: <br />1) The Meadows No. 1 Mine will not jeopardize the continued existence <br />of endangered or threatened species listed by the Secretary <br />(Rule 4.18.2<a>). <br />2> The operation will not result in the destruction or adverse <br />modification of designated critical habitats of such species in <br />violation of the Endangered Species Act (Rule 4.18.2(b>). <br />The post-mining land use and revegetation practices have been approved <br />by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. <br />Alluvial Valley Floors (Rules 2.06.8 and 4.24) <br />The Division has reviewed Sections 2.06.8 and 2.05.5 of the permit <br />application for compliance with the requirements of this section. <br />Description of the Existing Environment <br />The applicant has identified two areas near the Meadows No. 1 Mine <br />which meet the geomorphic criteria of an alluvial valley floor (AVF). <br />They are the Yampa River and Coal View Gulch and are discussed below. <br />The Yampa River valley meets the requirements to be classified as an <br />AVF. That is, it contains unconsolidated streamlaid deposits and <br />sufficient amounts of water to be utilized for agricultural <br />activities. Land use along the Yampa River valley consists primarily <br />of irrigated hayland and pastureland. Cropland is both flood irrigated <br />and subirrigated. It is unlikely that the Meadows No. 1 Mine will <br />impact the Yampa River AVF. This is further discussed later in this <br />section. <br />-16- <br />