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• Rare and Endangered Plant Species <br />The results of the vegetation sampling program do not indicate the presence of any rare and <br />endangered plant species. <br />2.04.11 Fish and Wildlife Resources Information <br />In order that surface coal mining and reclamation operations may continue to be conducted <br />in accordance with the Colorado Regulations governing such operation, the Chimney Rock <br />Mine contacted the CMLRD pursuant to the requirements of this part. A staff member of <br />CMLRD advised the Chimney Rock Mine to contract the District Office of the Colorado <br />Division of Wildlife in Montrose, Colorado. This action was completed. <br />The Chimney Rock Mine informed the CMLRD of the results of the telephone conversation <br />with the Montrose office of the Division of Wildlife. Subsequent to the telephone <br />conversations with the wildlife agency, the Chimney Rock Mine contacted the local Wildlife <br />Conservation Officer (WCO). At that time, the mine was informed that the Colorado <br />Division of Wildlife would be able to comment on the extent of wildlife information needed <br />pursuant to this part. The Colorado Division of Wildlife approved permit #78-252. <br />Accordingly, the local WCO was informed of this fact, as well as the fact that no changes <br />would be made to the existing permit which would adversely affect fish and wildlife <br />resources. <br />• Mining operations should not have an adverse impact of fish and wildlife populations. <br />Stollsteimer Creek supports various species of aquatic biota during the late spring and early <br />summer months. Colorado Suckers and varieties of trout can be seen migrating downstream <br />during those months. Low water levels during other times of the year prevent the <br />establishment of continuous significant populations of such species. Stollsteimer Creek is <br />not considered a natural fisheries stream by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. <br />Lands encompassed by the permit area, as well as the area to be affected over the life of <br />the operation, are not of a size which will adversely affect resident wildlife populations. In <br />addition, there are no lands within the permit of adjacent areas which can be considered <br />critical habitat, winter range or calving grounds for various wildlife species. Elk, mule deer, <br />bear, bobcats, coyotes, cottontail rabbits, beaver and various other rodent species, raptors, <br />passerine birds, water fowl and numerous reptilian species are know to inhabit the general <br />area. <br />No rare or endangered species of fish and wildlife are known to be endemic to the permit <br />area or area to be affected over the life of the operation. Peregrine falcons (Falco <br />peregrinus) nest on Chimney Rock which is approximately two miles north of the area to <br />be affected over the life of the operation. Surface mining operations have been ongoing at <br />Chimney Rock Coal since 1976. The Colorado Division of Wildlife conducted experiments <br />• 2.04-35 <br />