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Loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), Federal category 2 species, use has not been <br /> recorded on the study area, although potential breeding and nesting habitat is present. <br /> Loggerhead shrikes are dependent upon sagebrush and gambel oak shrub communities for <br /> breeding and nesting habitat in this region during spring and summer. They are uncommon <br /> in the area during winter. <br /> For specific information regarding study areas, methods for identification and counting of the <br /> various wildlife present in the area, see Section 2.04.11 of the permit document. <br /> Description of the Operations and Reclamation Plan - Rule 2.05.3 and 2.05.4 <br /> Mining at the West Elk underground mine began in 1982. The West Elk Mine lease block <br /> consists of minable coal reserves in five Federal coal leases, one private lease and other fee <br /> coal properties. Together the leases encompass approximately 15,500 acres. <br /> Six major coal seams exist on the West Elk Mine property. The seams are identified by <br /> letter with the A Seam being the lowermost and the F Seam the uppermost. The intervals <br /> between the seams var} from as little as 15 feet to more than 250 feet. <br /> The economically minable coal reserves in these leases occur in two of the six seams (the E <br /> and B Seams). The B Seam has been mined and the E Seam is planned to be mined in Lease <br /> D-044569; the B Seam has been mines in Leases COC-54558 and C-0117192, where mining <br /> continues; the B Seam is planned to be mined in Lease COC-56447; and the B Seam has also <br /> been mined, and further B Seam and E Seam are planned to be mined, in Lease C-1362. <br /> Mountain Coal Company believes the E Seam can be mined without precluding mining of the <br /> B Seam. This conclusion is based on experience gained by the Mountain Coal Company <br /> since opening the West Elk Mine, recent geotechnical analyses, and advances in mining <br /> technology. <br /> Mountain Coal Company mined in the F Seam from 1982 to 1991 from Lease D-004569 and <br /> C-0117192. This mining was only marginally successful. Poor mine roof conditions, <br /> sandstone channels, low coal areas, poor coal quality areas, and other unfavorable conditions <br /> have negatively affected mining and rendered this seam uneconomic under past and present <br /> market conditions. <br /> Approximately 180 feet below the F Seam horizon lies the E Seam. Mining plans in the <br /> E-Seam are presented on Map 51. The E Seam in the west panels of the Apache Rocks <br /> Permit Revision area is planned to be mined prior to the B Seam panels beneath. <br /> Approximately 400 feet below the F Seam and 200 feet below the E Seam lies the B coal <br /> seam. The minable B Seam contains some areas of coal, particularly in Federal Leases <br /> C-0117192, COC-54558, and COC-56447, where no minable E Seam exists above the <br /> B Seam. Also, in a portion of C-0117192, the F Seam is mined out. In these areas, there is <br /> B Seam minable reserves which, when mined, will not significantly affect the minability of <br /> the other seams. <br /> In April 1989, an application for a technical revision for an incidental boundary change to <br /> add 35.5 acres to the permit area was submitted. The revision was for access and associated <br /> activities by way of slopes and a ventilation shaft from inside the existing F Seam workings <br /> 14 <br />