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having the potential to occur in the area. The EA further required a threatened and endangered
<br />plant survey prior to any surface disturbance. Additional and updated vegetation information
<br />was collected and submitted with the Apache Rocks Permit Revision. Although the species is
<br />abundant on the MCC property, no operations currently threaten the plants.
<br />In 1996, a baseline vegetation study of the Sylvester Gulch facilities area was conducted. The
<br />report is presented in Exhibit 32A of the permit document. The study area for the baseline
<br />survey incorporated the lower drainage basin of Sylvester Gulch from the mine access road south
<br />approximately 1.75 miles along the drainage. The three lower drainage branches of Sylvester
<br />Gulch were included. The study area was a linear corridor, including the drainage bottom,
<br />terraces and sideslopes, averaging 300 feet wide. The study area also included the steep slope
<br />west of the Sylvester Gulch channel and north of the Dry Meadow Reference Area.
<br />Five major vegetation communities were identified in the Sylvester Gulch facilities expansion
<br />area are: oakbrush, aspen, riparian, dry meadow, and Douglas fir communities. The first three of
<br />these communities were sampled for vegetative cover, vegetative productivity, woody plant
<br />density and species composition. The dry meadow community was found to be significantly
<br />altered by cattle grazing within the study area. Since this community had been sampled
<br />previously, no further data was collected. The Douglas fir community was anticipated to be
<br />impacted to a minor degree with disturbance in this community limited to less than five percent
<br />of the affected area. Therefore, no quantitative data was collected for the Douglas Fir
<br />community.
<br />Additional information on vegetation in the PR-12 expansion area is contained in the copy of the
<br />Federal Environmental Impact Statement for the Dry Fork Coal Lease which can be found in
<br />Exhibit 77 of the permit application.
<br />Fish and Wildlife -Rule 2.04.11
<br />Numerous wildlife species inhabit the general area. The most predominant are mule deer,
<br />American elk, and black bear. Other species include: coyotes, long-tailed weasels, desert
<br />cottontails, snowshoe hare, beaver, raccoon, Red squirrel, woodrat, ringtails, yellow marmots,
<br />ermine, skunk, muskrat, badger, porcupine, bobcat, white-tailed jackrabbit, marten, mink, red
<br />fox, grey fox, spotted skunk, deer mouse, long-tailed vole, golden-mantled ground squirrel,
<br />chipmunk, red-backed vole, rock squirrel, western jumping mouse, masked shrew, wandering
<br />shrew, various songbirds, upland gamebirds, waterfowl, and raptors.
<br />There is no designated critical habitat in the permit area. However, the Fish and Wildlife Service
<br />has proposed 2,094 river miles of the Colorado River and its tributaries as critical habitat for the
<br />Colorado Squawfish, Razorback sucker, Humpback chub, and Bonytail chub. These species, on
<br />the Federal and State candidate and listed species, have the potential of occurring on the study
<br />area, or could be affected by a lease and subsequent coal development. None of the fishes occur
<br />on the study area, or in the North Fork of the Gunnison River.
<br />The Colorado Division of Wildlife has established a corridor along the North Fork of the
<br />Gunnison River for use by the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), which is a common winter
<br />visitor to Colorado. BLM inventories conducted in 1978 through 1980, and monitoring flights
<br />conducted through 1985, did not locate any roost or nest sites, or areas of winter concentration on
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