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r <br />w <br />C c~rpRUs <br />"~ Empire Corporation <br />January 15, 1992 ff <br />Mr. Jim Morris <br />Colorado Division of <br />711 Independent Avenue <br />Grand Junction, Colorado <br />~~G <br /> <br />81501 <br />P.0 Box 68 <br />Craig, Colorado 81626 <br />303-824-8246 <br />BAR 2 3 1991 <br />tinned Land <br />RaM.,.., <br />^tinn n:. ~ . <br />RE: Proposed Land Use Change at Colorado Yampa Coal Co. <br />(CYCC) <br />Dear Jim: <br />As we discussed on January 15, 1992, CYCC is proposing an alternate <br />land use change. The proposal would change approximately 1134 <br />affected acres of rangeland (outlined on enclosed Map 63) to <br />pastureland. This change would be very beneficial to Cyprus Trout <br />Creek Ranch operation as the true post mine land use will be cattle <br />grazing. <br />This proposed change will not eliminate wildlife use, and from our <br />experience over the past 12 years, it has become obvious that <br />reestablishment of shrubs on the reclaimed area is not criticaA~to <br />encourage wildlife use. Important wildlife groups, big game (elk <br />and deer) and raptors (golden eagles and prairie falcons), <br />identified in the mining permit as key species requiring mitigation <br />and management have been very successful. Evidence indicates that <br />exiting reclamation continues to benefit these species. Concern <br />over big game has come full circle from original predictions of <br />displacement and negative population impact to over abundance on <br />the mine site. In fact, big game utilization is probably one of <br />the main reasons shrub establishment is not more successful. It <br />should also be pointed out that 64$ of the area within a three mile <br />radius of the mine is composed of tree and/or shrub dominated <br />habitat and 69% within a five mile radius. This compliments the <br />reclaimed areas providing cover for big game and adequate habitat <br />for other non-game species depending on these habitats. <br />I would like to also point out that CYCC is not proposing this <br />change because they cannot meet their current shrub density <br />standard of 1000 per acre. During 1991 CYCC sampled 173 acres of <br />reclaimed rangeland which will be ready for bond release next year. <br />This area was sampled to the current standards of not less than <br />~!'a~;~ . <br />wildlife <br />