2007-02-14_PERMIT FILE - C1981044A (4)

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2.04 APPLICATION FOR PERMIT FOR SURFACE OR UNDERGROUND MINING ACTNTTIES- MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR INFORMATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES 2.04.1 OBJECTNES This section of the permit provides in detail a complete and accurate description of [he environmental resources that either have been or may be impacted or affected by [he underground mining activities conducted by EC. 2.04.3 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: SITE DESCRIPTION AND LAND USE INFORMATION The location of [he Pre-mining land uses within the pemut and adjacent areas for the EC mining operation can be found on the Pre-Mining Land Use Map (Map 3). Although a portion of the permit and adjacent areas has been previously mined by both surface and underground coal mining techniques, [he present basic land use within the permit and adjacent area is rangeland and cropland. A few scattered homes were found within the adjacent area, particularly in the area known as "Empire Village"; however, "Empire Village" is owned by EC, and all residences have been removed from the site. EC has received a special use permit from Moffat County for their mining operations. This special use permit can be found in Exhibit 2, Other Required Permits. "Mined land" is found on much of the permit and adjacent area. This land use has not been included in land use categories as defined under the existing state regulations. "Mined land" is one of the major land uses within the EC Permit boundary. This land use results from the fact that [he permit area covers lands which have been previously subject to underground and surface coal mining operations. A summary of previous surface and underground mining operations is discussed later in this section. If the Land use has changed within the last five (5) years; the pas[ land use is shown in the parenthesis. The United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, conducted Class II soil surveys, vegetation surveys, and range evaluations in the vicinity of the EC property. The results of these range conditions evaluations can be found on Table 1, Evaluation of Soil Conservation Service Range Data. In general, these evaluation areas are extensively used for grazing. 204.4 CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL RESOURCE INFORMATION There are no known cultural or historical resources listed, or listed, or eligible for listing, on the National Register of Historic Places within the EC permit boundary. This conclusion is based on communications with the Colorado Historical Society, Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation and on several archaeological surveys that have been conducted in the general area. No archaeological resources have been surveyed in the area of the EC operation. An archaeological survey conducted by Dc Joe Lischka, University of Colorado, conducted during June and Iuly, 1975, is available for review and can be found in the Colowyo Permit No. C-019-81. This was an intensive archaeological survey conducted along the proposed and alternate W.R. Grace Railroad routes. EC contracted Dr. Jennings to perform an archaeological survey of the surface areas of EC's possessive federal coal leases in the summer of 1977. The results of this archaeological survey are presented in Exhibit 6, Cultural and Historical Resources Infornta[ion. The following additional archaeological information has been provided by EC for review in Exhibit 6, Cultural and Historical Resources Information: • Archaeological reconnaissance of proposed coal lease areas in Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt counties, Colorado in 1975 by Christopher Arthur under the direction of Dr. Calvin Jennings. • Archaeological reconnaissance of the Utah International, Craig Underground Project 1977. This archaeological reconnaissance was conducted by Mr. Paul R. Williams and Dr. Calvin Jennings. Permit Revision 04-34 2.04-1 Revised 7/2/04