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West Elk Mine are raptor protected in one of two ways: <br />a. Raptor protectors aze constructed on the power pole cross-arms, or <br />b. The powerlines are. configured vertically in such a way that the birds cannot land on <br />charged lines. The top wire on which the birds land is the neutral wire, and the bird's <br />wings or tail cannot contact the charged line on takeoff or landing. <br />Mountain Coal Company has taken the following factors into account to protect wildlife on the <br />affected area; <br />1) Since the area is not a prime wildlife area, it is possible to operate and locate all roads so as <br />to avoid and minimiTe impacts on fish and wildlife species. <br />2) Since no >major migration routes have been identified on the permit area, it is:•.-not be . <br />necessary to 'guide such 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 the <br />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) Since no habitat of unusually high value for fish and wildlife have been identified, it will be <br />unnecessary to take mitigation measures in this regard. <br />5) Aquatic cornmunities existing in the North Fork of the Gunnison will be protected by the <br />use of 50 foot 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 the Division as part of this or any other <br />management plan. <br />8) Since wildlife habitat is to be the secondary post-mining land use, Mountain Coal Company <br />has selected plant 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 afrer release of bond. <br />As discussed earlier, Mountain Coal Company's intent is to distribute the plant species in <br />clusters so as to maximize the benefit to wildlife. This will provide adequate edge effect, cover <br />r <br />2.~5 $6~ Revised Dec. /997 MR208; Revised Jun. 1999 TR90 <br />Revised May 1003 MR-194 <br />