2008-02-19_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981047

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would expire before the adequacy review period was finished. Minrec responded on May 11, 2007 with the requested insurance policy so the application was called complete on May 15, 2007. Notification letters to the appropriate agencies of the submittal completeness were mailed out on the same day. The public notice was published in the Delta County Independent beginning on May 23, 2007 for four consecutive weeks. The Division sent adequacy review letters dated July 27, 2007, September 21, 2007, December 14, 2007 and January 1 1, 2008. Minrec responded to the Division's questions and concerns in submittals dated September 6, 2007 and September 27, 2007. Included in Minrec's last submittal was an updated threatened. & endangered species report, which was forwarded to the Office of Surface Mining. Formal Section 7 Consultation was initiated with the U.S.Fish & Wildlife Service, which resulted in no further actions being needed. All Tissues were successfully resolved for Permit Renewal No. 5. Description of the Environment Site Description and Land Use -Rule 2.04.3 The Blue Ribbon IV4ine is located in the northeast portion of Delta County, Colorado, approximately two miles north of Juanita Junction in the Hubbard Creek drainage. Juanita Junction is six miles northeast of Paonia along the old Colorado State Highway 133. The mine previously operated a truck scale and coal storage facility adjacent to State Hiighway 133, approximately three miles northeast of Paonia. This facility was released from the permit area in Pvlarch 1989 because the State Highway Department acquired the land on which the scale facility was located, to provide for the construction of an upgraded highway through the area. The operator dismantled the truck scale facility and regraded the area according to the reclamation plan prior to release of this area. Hubbard Creek is a~ perennial tributary of the North Fork of the Gunnison River and provides both domestic and agricultural supplies of water. The confluence of Hubbard Creek and the North Fork of the Gunnison River is located approximately two miles south and 500 feet below the mine. The North Fork of the Gunnison enters the main stern of the Gunnison River approximately 30 miles southwest of the Blue Ribbon Mine site. The watershed of Flubbard Creek is mountainous, ranging in elevation from 11,327 feet atop Crater Peak to 5,900 feet at the confluence of Hubbard Creek with the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Slopes at the mine vary from 0 to 60 percent and elevation varies from 6,300 feet at the southern contact of the permit area and Hubbard Creek to 7,800 feet at the northeast corner of the permit area. The mine portals were at an elevation of 6,470 feet. The general area ire which the Blue Ribbon Mine is located is characterized by steeply sloping mountains covered either with tall shrub vegetation, particularly oakbrush and serviceberry, or stands of pinon and juniper trees. Drainages in t:he area are lined with riparian vegetation communities along the stream banks. Some ofthe more level areas have been cleared and support limited livestock grazing. However, for the most part, the surrounding land is undeveloped and is used primarily as wildlife habitat. Recreational activities such as big game hunting, trapping, fishing and off-road driving also occur in the general area. Cultural and Historic Resources -Rule 2.04.4 and 2.05.6(4) Cultural and historic resources are discussed in Section 2.04.4 of the permit application.