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<br />snowberry (Symphoricarpos oreophilus). Dominant grasses are western <br />wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii), mountain brome (Bromus marginatus> and green <br />needlegrass (Stipa viridula). Major (orbs include lupine (Lupinus caudatus), <br />wild onion (Allium sip.), yarrow (Achillea lanulosa> and arrowleaf balsam root <br />(Balsamorrhiza sagittata>. <br />The mountain shrub community is typically found on areas of higher soil <br />moisture and deeper soils throughout the permit area. Serviceberry <br />(Amelanchier alnifolia) and Gambel's oak ( uercus gambelii) are the dominant <br />overstory species in the community, with fairly dense stands of chokecherry <br />(Prunus virginiana) occurring on north Slopes and along drainages. The most <br />abundant grasses are Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), western wheatgrass <br />and needle and thread (Stied comata). Forbs include lupine, yarrow, bedstraw <br />(Galium s~p.> and American vetch (Vida americana>. <br />Description of the Operations and Reclamation Plans <br />Operations Plan <br />Detailed information on the Colowyo Operations Plan is found in Section 2.05.3 <br />of the permit application. Performance standards associated with mining <br />operations are found in Section 4.00 of the permit application and are <br />summarized in Section B of this document. <br />The Colowyo Mine, as proposed, will consist of four pits (two existing, two <br />proposed) operating within 7,402 permitted acres. <br />East Pit <br />Mining operations began in 1976 with the East Pit, a multi-seam coal operation <br />that continues to move in a southwesterly direction. The East Pit mines eight <br />coal seams (Y, X, A, B, C, D, E, F) ranging in thickness from two to fifteen <br />feet. Atruck-and-shovel operation removes overburden from the top three to <br />four seams. A dragline is used for the removal of overburden above the lower <br />seams. <br />Overburden removed in the truck-and-shovel operation is hauled around the <br />active pit and dumped into the active pit on the other side. Due to the <br />number of coal seams, pit progression is slow, with additional disturbances of <br />approximately 40 to 50 acres per year: The East Pit has reached a steady <br />state where acreage disturbed approximately equals reclamation in any given <br />year. <br />Section 11 Pit <br />The Section 11 Pit was approved (along with additions to the East Pit> in <br />January 1991 as technical revision TR-14. Section 11 Pit is a single-seam <br />operation nearing the end of its estimated life. For additional information <br />on the Section 11 Pit, refer to the findings addendum for TR-14. <br />This relatively small pit is located as an eastern appendage of the larger <br />East Pit. The upper "X" coal seam is mined with a dragline. Reclamation <br />-7- <br />