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• rNgrIRODTMENTAL IMPACTS OF ALTERFATII'E N0. 1-OSM <br />CONCURRENCE k'ITH CMLRD ON APPROVAL OF PEFSfIT APPLICATION <br />Land Features, Climate, and Vegetation <br />Under the proposed permit application, the average elevation of the reclaimed <br />mine surface would be slightly increased as a result of overburden swell. A <br />limited sampling indicated an average increase of 12 feet, with a range of <br />£rom -15 to +60 feet. The proposed post-mining topography would resemble the <br />general surface configuration of the land prior to mining and would blend well <br />with'the surrounding terrain. All highwalls and spoil piles would be <br />eliminated. The plan would restore a drainage system that blends into and <br />complements the drainage pattern of the surrounding terrain. <br />.The applicant currently maintains three emissions permits issued by the <br />Colorado Department of Health, Air Pollution Control Division (C-11, <br />253(-1FD), C-11253(-2FD), which regulate activities at tt~e proposed <br />operation. As a condition of permit C-11, 253(-1FD) the applicant monitors <br />air quality under a monitoring plan approved by the Colorado Department of <br />Health. Air quality problems could be identified through analysis of the <br />data, and appropriate mitigative corrective steps taY.en. <br />The permit application proposes to salvage all available topsoil prior to <br />mining. The soil would be respread to a depth of 20 inches on croplands and <br />6-14 inches on rangelands. These practices should ensure that the soil <br />resource will not be adversely and significantly impacted. <br />• Vegetation seed mixes proposed for reclamation will be submitted to CMLRD <br />annually for review. If necessary, the CMLRD can require changes in the <br />mixture. The applicant proposed that CMLRD approve a variance from the <br />requirement to reestablish premining shrub densities. The CMLRD reviewed the <br />supporting information and approved the proposed plan. 'The plan involves <br />transplanting of mature shrub clumps of a given size onto the reclaimed <br />surface. Survival within clumps will be monitored by the applicant. <br />Land Use <br />The applicant does not propose to reclaim the mine area to a use different <br />than the pre-mining land use. The pre-mining land is rangeland, wildlife <br />habitat, and cropland. <br />I • -9- <br />