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<br />• -l l - <br />The area which the mine is located in has been identified as mule deer winter <br />range. Mule deer tend to migrate diffusely from upland to lowland areas in <br />the winter time. This results in higher concentrations of deer in the canyon <br />bottoms during the minter. <br />The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) was consulted during this review. DOW <br />personnel suggested that a beneficial practice would be for the operator to <br />improve habitat on an acre of undisturbed area for each acre of land <br />disturbed. Habitat could be improved by chaining, controlled burning, blading <br />or any other means depending on desired improvements. Before any habitat <br />improvement practices are initiated, the DOW and CMLRD must be consulted. <br />There are no possibilities for electrocution of raptors since no powerlines <br />exist at the mine, and none are planned for the future. Salt Creek Mining <br />Company has stated that a posted speed limit of 15 mph will be enforced at the <br />mine to minimize *.he potential for vehicle-deer collisions. The crossing over <br />East Salt Creek has been designed to safety pass the required flow events to <br />avoid damage to the creek. No pesticides will be used in this operation. <br />Shrub density revegetation standards are required by the CMLRD to ensure the <br />recreation of big game habitat through reclamation. The impacts to any <br />nesting raptors on the lease area will be minimized to the extent possible. A <br />detailed raptor survey will be undertaken by SCMC as the result of an OSM <br />Special Stipulation (See Attachmerrt B). <br />• No threatened and endangered species have been identified on the lease, <br />although it is likely the bald eagle is sometimes present in the winter, and <br />it is possible the peregrine falcon migrates through the area. For both <br />species there is no anticipated adverse impact due to the Munger Canyon Mine. <br />Socioeconomics <br />The anticipated production from the Loma Project (McGlone and Munger Canyon <br />Mines) has not reached anywhere near estimated amounts resulting in little <br />increase in local population. Original estimates projected the local <br />population would increase to 2900 by 1985 then to 5800 by 1990. Obviously, <br />these estimates were based upon a different scenario than what exists now. <br />Presently, SCMC employs only 15 persons. Because the mine site is in Garfield <br />County, that county will receive the direct benefit of most of the increased <br />assessed valuation due to mine property/equipment and coal production. <br />However, most employees will reside in Mesa County. It will Senefit to a <br />lesser degree from purchases by mine employees, as well as from residential <br />property taxes. Initial projection of mine-produced revenues were 54.8 <br />million for Garfield County versus only $1.3 millin for Mesa County annually <br />by 1985 (West-Central Colorado Coal FEIS, BLM, 1978, p. 975). However, these <br /> <br />