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Tributaries to Fish Creek have historically exhibited ephemeral characteristics, but mining related flow may change these to perennial streams. Current and historic land use in the vicinity of the operation has been grazing for livestock and wildlife habitat. Irrigated cropland in the area is limited to portions of the Fish Creek alluvial body and to the Yampa River floodplain. Non-irrigated crops are grown on sloping upland areas, as well as on alluvial flats. No cropland will be disturbed by mining. The soils found within and adjacent to the mine plan area are typical of soils found in the cold, semi-arid regions of the western United States. The soils are generally moderately deep (20 to 40 inches) to shallow (10 to 20 inches) and have developed in weathered, interbedded fine sandstone, siltstone, and shale, and in local slopewash and colluvium. Soil replacement depth on reclaimed portions of the mine will be 1.0 feet. Vegetation in the vicinity of the operation is characterized by three vegetative types; mixed brush, sagebrush grassland, and aspen. Because of livestock grazing, shrubs have increased in density while fortis and grasses have decreased. Numerous wildlife species inhabit the general area of the mine site. The most predominant big game species are elk and deer. Common raptors are Golden Eagle, Red-Tailed Hawk, Great Horned Owl, Marsh Hawk and American Kestrel. Description_of the Operations and Reclamation Plan The Seneca II Mine is a surface mine utilizing area strip techniques. Mining occurs in two separate areas: the Wadge and Wolf Creek. Topsoil is removed and stockpiled or, whenever possible, live handled, well in advance of mining operations. Overburden is shot and then removed by dragline buckets; while the coal is shot and removed by backhoes and loaded into trucks which haul the coal directly to the Hayden Power Plant. Box-cut spoils have been graded into the surrounding topography and have been topsoiled and revegetated. The overburden from each successive cut is spoiled into the previous pit. Following spoil deposition, each pit is graded, topsoiled and revegetated with the approved seed mix. Runoff from the site is routed through sediment ponds to limit off-site hydrologic impacts. Upon cessation of mining activities, the following activities will occur: surface facilities will be removed, all surface disturbances including variance areas will be regraded to approximate original contour, topsoil will be redistributed over the area, and the area will be revegetated. Reclamation success will be determined by statistically comparing the reclaimed areas to approved reference areas. -5-