GENERAL46036 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

-40- Stipulation No. 5 WITHIN 90 DAYS AFTER PERMIT ISSUANCE, THE PERMITTEE MUST PROVIDE THE DIVISION WITH AN ACCEPTABLE SPECIES DIVERSITY SUCCESS STANDARD FOR THE REVEGETATED AREAS OF THE MINE. The applicant has not clearly and adequately described acceptable reclamation success criteria for the loadout area. Therefore, the following stipulation is imposed: Stipulation No. 6 WITHIN 90 DAYS AFTER PERMIT ISSUANCE, THE PERMITTEE MUST PROVIDE THE DIVISION WITH ACCEPTABLE SUCCESS STANDARDS FOR COVER AND PRODUCTIVITY FOR THE AREAS TO BE RECLAIMED AT THE LOADOUT FACILITY. ALSO, SPECIES DIVERSITY ANO WOODY PLANT DENSITY STANDARDS MUST BE PROVIDED FOR THE TRUCK DUMP - DRYLAND GRASSLAND AREA. XII. Fish and Wildlife - Rules 2.04.11. 2.05.6(21 and 4.18 Fish and wildlife resource information 1s found in Volume I, pages 3-133 to 3-135 of the Snowmass Coal Company application. The fish and wildlife mitigation plan is presented in volume I, pages 4-101 to 4-102 and 4-130 to 4-132. Appendix 3-U of Volume II contains a wildlife species list for the mine and loadout. This portion of the application was reviewed in cooperation with the Colorado Division of Wildlife. A letter from Allen F. Whitaker of O.O.W. is included in Section 4.6.1.2 of Volume I of the Snowmass application. The predominant types of wildlife inhabiting the mine site are elk, deer, coyote, grouse, beaver, and rainbow and cutthroat trout. Approximately 200 elk inhabit Stony Ridge, which is one mile south of the mine. Deer locate primarily on the lower grasslands during the winter, later moving to a summer range above the mine. No endangered species are present in the permit area, nor is there any critical aildlife habitat. To avoid any adverse effects upon the elk in their winter range on the west side of Stony Ridge, an elk winter range improvement program was designed and is in progress. The program involves the cutting of over-mature oak brush which is too tall for elk utilization. The new shoots growing out of the stumps are accessible and provide food for elk and deer. The cut oak brush is piled to provide small animal shelter. The company has also made an effort to foster employee awareness of wildlife issues and welfare. Operation Game Thief posters have been posted to increase both public and employee awareness. Speed limits have been imposed on the haul road and road kills will be monitored to assess the effectiveness of the program. If problems with road kills arise, fencing may be required. Carpooling is currently being explored by the operator as a potential method to reduce road traffic.