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individual reference area comparison of 4.15.7(4)(a), for other disturbed areas. <br />VII. Protection of Fish and Wildlife and Related Environmental t'nncerns- Rnle 4.1 R <br />Fish and Wildlife Resources Information is presented in Section II.G and II.H, Volume 3, <br />of the application. The Fish and Wildlife Plan is included within Section IV.M, of <br />Volume 4. Wildlife resources information is summarized in "Description of the <br />Environment", in the Summary section of this document. Specific findings regazding <br />threatened and endangered species aze included in Section A, of this findings document. <br />Various sections of the operations and reclamation plan within sections III, IV, and V of <br />the permit application, in addition to the Fish and Wildlife Plan, address the wildlife <br />protection requirements of Rule 4.18. The operator has committed within Section II.D to <br />the use of raptor- proof power poles within the permit area, to minimize the electrocution <br />hazazd to raptors, pursuant to Rule 4.18(5)(4). The barrier to wildlife movement presented <br />by the overland coal conveyor was successfully addressed by the provision for overpasses <br />and underpasses at frequent intervals along the conveyor. A speed limit of 30 mph is <br />posted and enforced for haul and access roads to minimize the potential for mule deer or <br />pronghorn road-kills (pursuant to 4.18(5)(a) and (b)). In accordance with 4.18(5)(c) and <br />(g), the operator has committed to fence any ponds containing toxic materials, and to not <br />use persistent pesticides unless approved by the Division. <br />The operator has committed within the application to protect golden eagle nesting habitat <br />in the cliffs along Scullion Gulch, by allowing no activity between Mazch 1 and June 1, <br />within the S1/2 SEl/4; or E1/2 SE1/4 SW1/4 of Sec. 3, T2N, RI01 W and NEl/4 NE1/4 of <br />T2N, R101 W. <br />In order to minimize disturbance to wintering mule deer and elk, the following stipulation <br />was attached to the permit. The stipulation was recommended by BLM, pursuant to TR- <br />38. <br />IN ORDER TO PROTECT IMPORTANT SEASONAL WILDLIFE HABITAT <br />(BIG GAME SEVERE WINTER RANGE), EXPLORATION, DRILLING, AND <br />OTHER DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY MAY NOT BE ALLOWED FOR UP TO <br />SIXTY (60) DAYS DURING THE PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 1 THROUGH <br />MARCH 31. THIS LIMITATION DOES NOT APPLY TO MAINTENANCE AND <br />OPERATION OF EXISTING FACILITIES. EXCEPTIONS TO THIS <br />LIMITATION IN ANY YEAR MAY BE SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZED IN <br />WRITING BY THE AREA MANAGER, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT. <br />The following specific findings aze required. <br />A. Fish and wildlife habitat is a planned post-mining land use. The applicant's proposed <br />~9 <br />