Laserfiche WebLink
with Rule 4.15.9, the operator has committed to maintaining a <br />record of fruit yields as a function of time noting climatic <br />factors and other pertinent variables. This information will <br />eventually be used to establish a standard as allowed by this <br />regulation. <br />The operation is found to be in compliance with the requirement of <br />this section. <br />XII. Post-Mining Land Use <br />The discussion of land use may be found in Volume 1 on pages 1 to 10 <br />of Section 2.04.3, and pages 80 to 83 of Section 2.05.5. Aland use <br />appendix is located in Volume 9 along with Map No. 9-l, land Use <br />Information Map. <br />The Division hereby approves the post-mining land uses of the <br />operation. It was determined that grazing for both livestock and <br />wildlife for OVWM and the bench areas at Orchard Valley Mine, and <br />orchard use for the storage silos, truck dump, train loadout areas, <br />and the railroad spur meets the requirements of Rule 4.16 and <br />2.07.6(2)(1). <br />XIII. Protection of Fish, Wildlife and Related Environmental Values <br />The fish and wildlife resources sections of the application can be <br />found on pages 56 to 87, Section 2.04 of Volume 1, and in the Wildlife <br />Appendix, Volume 9A. The Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Plan can be <br />found on pages 87 to 94, Section 2.05 of Volume 1. <br />The general area contains important winter range for both elk and <br />deer, and over 10,000 hunter days per year are spent in this area. <br />Golden eagles have been noted near the mine site, but no threatened or <br />endangered wildlife species have been observed. The North Fork of the <br />Gunnison River contains twelve (12) species of fish, including three <br />(3) species of game fish (rainbow trout, brown trout, and northern <br />pike). However, due to the poor production of benthic.organisms and <br />poor habitat conditions, the North Fork is not stocked frequently. <br />Impacts to wildlife are minimized by prohibiting public use of trails <br />when big game are concentrated in the winter (December 1 to April 16), <br />and by prohibiting the cutting of snags except those within the actual <br />disturbed area required for construction, thereby minimizing the loss <br />of perches and nesting trees for raptors, insectivorous birds, and <br />cavity nesters. Power lines and other transmission facilities are <br />designed and constructed to protect raptors and other large birds from <br />electrocution. Construction activities (heavy equipment, helicopters, <br />blasting etc.) are prohibited within one-quarter mile of the golden <br />eagle nest during the nesting period (March 1 to July 1). <br />The construction of the west portal facilities disturbed a short <br />stretch of East Roatcap Creek. Carefully designed sediment control <br />measures were used to protect the stream channel. The operator has <br />agreed to compensate for any impacts to riparian areas by improving <br />adjacent areas. <br />-38- <br />K <br />