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West Elk Mine <br />• rates, but not by an increase in the areal extent of coal to be mined. Should the rate of production or <br />other factors affecting the net depletion calculations change, the calculations would be revised. <br />MCC has taken the following factors into account to protect wildlife on the affected azea: <br />1) Since the azea is not a prime wildlife azea, it is generally possible to operate and locate <br />roads so as to avoid and minimize impacts on fish and wildlife species. <br />2) Since no major migration routes have been identified on the permit azea, it is not necessary <br />to guide migratory wildlife species by the means of fencing so as to direct their <br />movement under roadways or other obstructions which might result from construction of <br />the surface facilities. <br />3) There are no ponds containing toxic-forming materials; however, should such a facility be <br />constructed, the pond will be fenced to exclude wildlife. <br />4) With regard to bald eagles and Canada lynx, the potential effects of surface- <br />disturbing projects on populations and designated habitats (at the time specific <br />surface disturbing projects are proposed) will tie evaluated, and mitigation measures <br />will be applied to avoid adverse impacts to these federally listed species, in <br />compliance with the Endangered Species Act. <br />• 5) Aquatic communities existing in the North Fork will be protected by the use of 50 foot <br />wide buffer zones of undisturbed land along stream channels. <br />6) The use of persistent pesticides is not anticipated. <br />7) Mountain Coal Company will, to the extent possible, prevent, control, and suppress range, <br />forest, and coal fires which aze not approved by CDOW as part of this or any other <br />management plan. <br />8) Since wildlife habitat is to be the secondary post-mining land use, MCC has selected plant <br />species to be used on reclaimed azeas based on the following criteria: <br />a. Their proven nutritional value for wildlife <br />b. Their use for cover for wildlife species <br />c. Their ability to support and enhance wildlife habitat after release of bond <br />These factors have been discussed in other portions of the permit document. As discussed, the <br />intent of MCC is to distribute the plant species in clusters so as to maximize the. benefit to <br />wildlife. This will provide adequate edge effect, cover, and forage benefits for the wildlife <br />species occurring on and adjacent to the site. <br />u <br />1.05-91 Revised November 2004 PRIO <br />