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covered by the rights granted by the federal coal lease were adequate, and that the proposed operation <br /> would conform to the Mineral Leasing Act of February 20, 1920. <br /> On March 10, 1995, the Division received comments regarding the application from the Colorado <br /> Division of Wildlife (DOW). DOW noted comments in the application with which they disagreed. <br /> Specifically, it was DOW's contention that there may be detrimental impacts to the sharp-tail grouse <br /> and sage grouse, due to lek loss, and that reclaimed areas would not approximate original conditions <br /> of vegetative and animal community diversity, structure, composition, or biomass. DOW did not <br /> make any recommendations for mitigative measures, but requested they be included in any <br /> monitoring done in connection with the permit. The reclamation plan for the Yoast Mine will serve <br /> to mitigate impacts to these bird populations as noted in Section A of this document. Additional <br /> wildlife monitoring proposed by SCC will help to verify the occurrence and mitigation of potential <br /> impacts to these bird populations. <br /> Permit Revision No. 1 was received by the Division on March 01, 1999. This permit revision <br /> provides the updated, detailed life-of-mine plans for the mining, reclamation and related operations <br /> for the Yoast Mine past the existing five-year permit term. The application was deemed complete <br /> for the purposes of filing on March 09, 1999. Appropriate agencies were notified of the application <br /> by letters dated March 09, 1999. Notice of the application was published in the Steamboat Pilot on <br /> March 24 and 31, 1999 and on April 07 and 14, 1999. Division adequacy review letters were sent <br /> to Seneca Coal Company on April 23, 1999; May 14, 1999; August 31, 1999; September 2, 1999; <br /> and September 8, 1999. All concerns were adequately addressed by Seneca Coal Company. Seneca <br /> Coal Company responses and all comments received from other agencies are available for review <br /> at the Division office. The proposed decision to approve the revision was issued on October 18, <br /> 1999. <br /> Description of the Environment <br /> The Yoast Mine plan area is located approximately 8.5 miles southeast of the town of Hayden, and <br /> is positioned between three existing coal mining operations. The Yoast Mine plan area is <br /> approximately 4 miles southwest of the Seneca II Mine, 3.5 miles east of the Seneca H-W mine, and <br /> one mile west of the reclaimed Grassy Gap Mine. See Figure 1 for further detail. The mining area <br /> is located between Sage Creek and Grassy Creek and is found on USGS Mount Harris and Dunkley <br /> maps. <br /> Mining is proposed in two separate areas, and in the neck pit connecting the two areas. During the <br /> first five year permit term, mining will develop in Section 17 of Township 5 North, Range 87 West. <br /> Mining during the second and third terms is proposed in Sections 17, 19, 20, 29, and 30. <br /> Geology and Topography <br /> The proposed Yoast permit area is located within the Wyoming Basin Physiographic Province. <br /> Elevations within the permit area range between 6530 feet along the northern end of Haul Road A <br /> and 7980 feet at the summits of ridges within the southeastern portion of the proposed permit area. <br /> Slopes range from 1° in Scotcliman's Gulch to 100' at isolated sandstone bluffs. The terrain is <br /> You[Mine 8 October 19, 1999 <br />