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We request, therefore, that hich use habitats for deer found within the mine area be protected and/or enhanced to reduce construction and operation impacts on the deer. This mitigation/enhancement for deer should be coordinated with the CROW. The Munger permit areas are also showing an increase in elk use; also in winter and early spring. Habitat protection/enhancement efforts similar to those for deer, should also be implemented to increase the ability of the permit area to sustain elk use. We believe that continued monitoring of deer and elk use in the mine permit area, as described in the permit revision application, would be the first step in determining critical use areas and what type of mitigation would best compensate for any big name losses during construction. As we have stated before, we continue to be concerned about coal transportation. The revised application states that a conveyor system would be used to transport coal from the Munger and McClain Mines to a central load out. These conveyors should be constructed so as not to impede deer and elk migration. Of greater concern is the transportation of coal from the mine to a rail loadout. We believe a rail system of coal transportation would have the least impact on wildlife in the region. However, if a rail line is constructed, it should be built to serve all entities in the general area. In addition to Munger and McClain Mines, Dorchester Coal Company and Chevron Shale Oil Company should utilize a common rail system. In the meantime, if trucks are used to transport the coal, big game road kills should be monitored. If problems arise, those problem areas may require some remedial measures to reduce or eliminate kills. Truck transportation during the winter and early spring would be most critical. During these periods, coal transportation should be restricted to daylight hours and lowered speed limits imposed through the Bookcliff canyon reach. One important aspect of permitting is the assessment of any effects of the proposed plan to threatened or endangered species. At your request, our Salt Lake City EY:danaered Species Office provided a species list on November 21, 1984. This list included listed, proposed and candidate species which may be present in the mine plan area. We assume that a biolocical assessment is forthcoming and will precede any permitting decision. In view of the above, the FWS recommends that the following stipulations be incorporated into the permitting process on the Munger Canyon Mine: