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temporary as ground dwelling wildlife will move back quickly into the <br />• area once it is reclaimed. Because of the lack of cover in the area <br />affected by surface support facilities, the disturbance of any ground <br />nesting avifauna will be minimal and most likely absent. <br />Destruction of Vegetation. As stated earlier, the permit area has been <br />affected by the past surface effects of previous coal mining operations. <br />Although disturbance of the vegetation within the surface facilities <br />area has taken place, the planned reclamation activities should lead to <br />an increase in the value of the post-mining vegetation for wildlife. As <br />stated in Section 2.05.4, the reclamation plan of Peerless Resources, <br />Inc. is designed to restore the disturbed areas to a condition at least <br />equal or better than the existing land condition. In doing so, <br />increased availability of food supplies will be realized and subsequent <br />wildlife populations will undoubtedly increase. <br />Post-Mining Topography. No additional major disturbance to the area to <br />be used for surface facilities is planned. During actual mining, the <br />limited topographical disturbance will probably only have minor impacts <br />on any wildlife in the area because of the limited acreages of <br />disturbance involved. Following mining, the area will be restored to a <br />topography as shown on the Post-Mining Topography Map (Map 14). <br />Alteration of Natural Shelters. Because the amounts of disturbance <br />associated with the planned mining are relatively minor, negative <br />impacts on any wildlife shelters should be only minimal and temporary. <br />During mining, small mammals and larger game tend to move away from the <br />areas affected by the surface operations and facilities. Some natural <br />shelters may be disrupted but alternative sites will be quickly <br />selected. No negative impacts to wildlife resulting from noise, dust or <br />ground shock disturbances are anticipated. Upon successful reclamation, <br />natural shelter will be reestablished and wildlife will tend to move <br />back into the area. <br />• Destruction of Food Source. Because of disturbance by previous coal <br />mining found within the area, the food source found in this area is <br />2.05-40 <br />