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wildlife. Colowyo employees are fully aware of the possibility of encountering wildlife on <br />• and around the mine site and take special care to avoid these species. <br />In summary after 12 years of mining at Colowyo, the question is no longer whether coal <br />mining at Colowyo has had an adverse impact on local wildlife populations. The population <br />of deer and elk in the vicinity of Colowyo is reaching record levels. There is little doubt that <br />wildlife populations are drawn to the reclaimed areas because of the availability of quality <br />herbaceous vegetation. The immediate vicinity around Colowyo has become well known as a <br />wildlife refuge, particularly during big game seasons. <br />The issue now is how can Colowyo assist the CDOW in efforts to control wildlife <br />populations to a level that can be supported by adjacent ranges. To do so, in 1990 we have <br />entered into a cooperative effort with the CDOW to establish a "Ranching For Wildlife" area <br />located south of Hayden. Colowyo has also cooperated with the CDOW in allowing public <br />hunters access to company properties in Axial Basin Ranch to increase harvest of local cow <br />elk populations. <br />The concem for wildlife mitigation has clearly evolved from a concern for the impact of <br />mining on the wildlife population to a concem For involving Colowyo in managing <br />increasing populations. As one of the large landowners in the region, Colowyo will continue <br />to work with the CROW to assist where possible to manage local wildlife populations. <br />Protection of Hydrologic Balance and Water Quality <br />• Based on the data, other references available and reclamation plans previously presented in <br />this section, the Colowyo Mine will not adversely affect the hydrologic balance or water <br />quality of the adjacent areas. <br />The Colowyo Coal Company intends to use all practical methods to maintain the hydrologic <br />balance and water quality in its present state and may improve the surface water <br />characteristics as a result of reclamation procedures. The focus of this discussion will center <br />on the permit area as it is the area of mining disturbance. <br />C~ <br />2.05-73 <br />