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4. The Division finds that surface coal mining and reclamation operations to be performed <br />under this permit will not be inconsistent with other such operations anticipated to be <br />performed in azeas adjacent to the permit azea (2.07.6(2)(1)). <br />10. There is no reclamation cost estimate associated with PR-09. At the time of the proposed <br />decision for PR-09, the reclamation cost estimate for the Bowie No. 2 Mine is <br />$7,227,442.92. This bond amount reflects the Division's projection of reclamation costs <br />for worst-case disturbance that will occur during the remaining permit term. The State of <br />Colorado holds a bond in the amount of $7,906,551.00. <br />11. The Division has made a negative determination for the presence of prime farmland <br />within the disturbed area. Soil types indicative of prime farmland do occur in the permit <br />azea; however, these soil types either will not be disturbed by the Bowie No. 2 Mine or <br />occur on slopes greater than b percent and, therefore, aze not considered prime farmland, <br />according to Rule 2.04.12(2)(b). The decision was based on information presented in <br />Section 2.04.12 of the Bowie No. 2 Mine permit application and upon a letter dated June <br />6, 1996 from the Natural Resource Conservation Service (Volume III, Exhibit 14, Bowie <br />No. 2 Mine permit application document) that demonstrates that no prime farmland <br />mapping units are found within the permit azea (2.07.6(2)(k)). <br />12. Based on information provided the application, the Division has determined that an <br />alluvial valley floor exists within the adjacent azea. The alluvial valley floor exists <br />outside the permit azea, is along the North Fork of the Gunnison River and will not be <br />affected by the Bowie No. 2 Mine (2.07.6(2) and 2.06.8(3)(C)). <br />For additional specific findings concerning this alluvial valley floor, refer to Section B, <br />XVII. <br />13. The Division hereby approves the post-mining land use of the operation. It was <br />determined that the proposed post-mining land use of rangeland and wildlife habitat, <br />pastureland, cropland and industrial meets the requirements of Rule 4.16 for the permit <br />azea (2.07.6(2)(1)). <br />14. Specific approvals have been granted or are proposed. These approvals aze addressed in <br />the following section, Section B (2.07.6(2)(m)). <br />15. In prior consultation with the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the United States Fish <br />and Wildlife Service, the Division found that the activities proposed by the applicant <br />would not affect the continued existence of endangered or threatened species or result in <br />the destruction or adverse modification of their critical habitats (2.07.6(2)(n)), provided <br />that appropriate mitigation efforts are performed.. Letters from both agencies aze <br />presented in Volume III, Exhibit 9 of the permit application document. <br />The last consultation with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service occun•ed through the Permit <br />Revision No. 6 review process. In a letter dated October 23, 2001, the U.S. Fish & <br />24 <br />