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can approve a variance for good cause shown. In this case, BRL planned on salvaging the top <br />two to three inches of topsoil and then placing geotextile fabric on the coverfill azea. Removal <br />of the entire topsoil horizon would have resulted in needless damage to the soil chazacteristics. <br />BRL committed to taking measures to protect the topsoil resource. However, all of the cut <br />material was used in the fill so no excess coverfill material resulted from the construction of the <br />train loadout. Therefore, no variance from topsoil salvaging was needed. <br />The construction of the B-seam portal bench and the associated excavated soil storage area, <br />approved through PR-07, disturbed soils that aze classified as the Absazokee loam series <br />(Beenon-Absazokee Association). <br />Vegetation Information - <br />Detailed vegetation information for the Bowie No. 2 permit azea is presented in Section 2.04.10 <br />of the permit application document. The following summary is derived from the information <br />presented in Section 2.04.10 of the permit document. <br />Three (3) plant communities are present within the main surface operations, facilities and <br />surrounding areas. These communities are referred to as the Juniper Woodland, Mixed Shrub and <br />Disturbed Meadow communities. <br />The Juniper Woodland community exhibits such plant species as Snowbeny, Gambel oak and <br />Servicebeny. The Mixed Shrub community exhibits plant species such as Gamble Oak and <br />Serviceberry. The Meadow community is dominated by annual and noxious plant species, such <br />as bindweed, cheatgrass and Japanese brome. Alfalfa and Kentucky Bluegrass aze also present. <br />An azea of approximately 0.31 acres is identified as wetland. This area will be disturbed, and this <br />activity will be conducted in compliance with a permit issued by the United States Army Corps <br />of Engineers. The proposed disturbed azea was also surveyed for threatened and endangered <br />plant species; however, no such species were found. <br />The Division agrees with the operator's conclusion that the proposed disturbed azea is similaz to <br />the Lower Meadow Community that exists at the mine site and is shown on Map No. 3, <br />"Vegetation." in the permit application package. <br />A small azea was disturbed in the douglas fir vegetation community in the construction of the <br />Freeman Gulch vent shaft. <br />The lands disturbed in Permit Revision No. 6 were primarily pasture and hayland. In <br />constructing certain sections of the railroad track, some areas close to wetlands were disturbed. <br />BRL installed sediment control measures so that the wetlands were not disturbed. <br />The construction of the B-seam portal bench and the associated excavated soil storage area, <br />approved through PR-07, disturbed vegetation that is classified as being mixed shrubland. <br />16 <br />