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' 3 ' Staff Recommendations <br />,~~ <br />SHB AGRA Project E92-7075 <br />Page 2 <br />Land Use -All parcels within the permit boundary that are not actively being mined or <br />reclaimed will provide buffer and setback for the life of the mine for visual mitigation, noise <br />impacts mitigation, emissions (dust) mitigation, continued function of wildlife habitat and <br />wildlife movement corridors. <br />Agriculture -The only soils suitable for cultivation are on the Harroun farm operation, and that <br />portion of this parcel that is not required for mine and reclamation operations may be retained <br />in strip crops. The other strip crop parcels within the mine and reclamation area will be retired <br />in the future and used for domestic livestock grazing. The City of Longmont, in its referral <br />letter dated August 12, 1993, would prefer to see intensive agriculture operations cease. Future <br />agricultural operations will be integrated with the final reclamation plan; accordingly, after a <br />reclamation plan has been approved by the county, it will be possible to discuss future <br />agricultural operations in greater detail. <br />Wildlife Habitat - In the prairie reclamation plan, grassland areas will provide for prairie dog <br />habitat which in turn provide prey base for raptors; wetland areas will provide habitat diversity. <br />Since only a small area will be disturbed at one time by mine and reclamation operations, <br />wildlife migration corridors will continue to function as they do today. <br />Archaeological Sites -Existing significant archaeological sites will be protected by means of <br />conservation easements dedicated to Boulder County. Management will be jointly developed by <br />Southdown, Boulder County, and the Dowe Flats American Indian Advisory Counsel. <br />Prairie Dog Control -Southdown will develop a prairie dog management plan that balances the <br />health of the ecosystem, concerns of adjacent property owners, and raptor prey base. In order <br />to ensure the establishment of the reclamation plan, appropriate methods for population control <br />will be established. The plan will be developed prior to commencement of mining, reviewed <br />in the annual reports, and be updated as necessary. <br />Term Deed and Cotenancy Agreement -Marigold or its successor takes the lead in the <br />management of the property after December 31, 2021; therefore, Southdown will not commit <br />to land management after this date on the Cotenancy property. Other properties not subject to <br />the Cotenancy Agreement will be managed as determined by the parties still involved at the time <br />of completion of mine and reclamation operations. <br />STAFF COMMENT 2. To the extent legally possible under the conditions of the Term <br />Deed for the Mine Area, the applicant shall present the County a conservation easement <br />covering the permit area. The conservation easement shall allow grazing as part of the <br />management plan for the property, however, wildlife habitat would be the primary land <br />use direction. The County welcomes the opportunity to discuss conservation easements on <br />property Southdown owns outside of the permit area. <br />L^ A G R A <br />Earth & Environmental Group <br />