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2008-05-28_REVISION - C1981019 (2)
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2008-05-28_REVISION - C1981019 (2)
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Last modified
8/24/2016 3:32:07 PM
Creation date
5/29/2008 1:36:58 PM
Metadata
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Template:
DRMS Permit Index
Permit No
C1981019
IBM Index Class Name
REVISION
Doc Date
5/28/2008
Doc Name
27 May 2008 TR-72 Responses and Response Letter (Rule 2 Reclamation Plan 2.05.4)
From
Colowyo Coal Company
To
DRMS
Type & Sequence
TR72
Email Name
JRS
Media Type
D
Archive
No
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Fish and Wildlife Plan <br />Prior to and during the early years of mining, Colowyo implemented wildlife management <br />and range management programs to offset the potential impacts of mining on wildlife and to <br />improve the rangeland in surrounding areas which had deteriorated after years of <br />overgrazing. Other protection measures were also implemented to minimize any possible <br />effects of the increased mining activity. <br />Also, during the early stages of pre-planning for the mining operation, Colowyo adopted a. <br />policy to return the land to a condition capable of supporting the diverse wildlife populations <br />that the area currently supports. The assumption in the late 1970s was that shrub <br />reestablishment would play a key role in wildlife habitat mitigation. These early efforts were <br />unique in that revegetation with shrub species, especially native shrub species, had never <br />been an integral part of pre-mine planning in the West. Virtually no information was <br />available and very little was known about the growth requirements of native species. To <br />reach these early objectives, Colowyo implemented revegetation and wildlife habitat use <br />studies designed to determine the feasibility and techniques of revegetating disturbed areas <br />with native shrub vegetation adapted to northwest Colorado. However, after decades of <br />experience, it has become obvious that reestablishment of shrubs on the reclaimed area is not <br />critical to encourage wildlife use such as by elk. <br />For example, in recent years it has been observed that elk herds of between 200 and 400 <br />animals utilize the reclaimed grasslands of the mine as foraging habitat. These numbers <br />increase to between 2000 and 4000 animals during the hunting season and then slowly drop <br />off as the snow depths increase and the elk herds migrate to lower elevations. The animals <br />return in the Spring for the early green-up. This occurs for at least three reasons: 1) elk are <br />primarily grazers (grass consumers) by nature, 2) there is abundant, high quality grass on the <br />reclaimed areas especially in comparison to surrounding country which exhibits very little if <br />any grassland acreage and relatively low grass production in shrublands, and 3) elk have <br />learned that harassments (such as hunting) are minimized on mining areas (refuge effect) <br />which allows them to forage in relative peace. Likewise, mule deer populations have been <br />observed on reclaimed grasslands at elevated densities (40-60 animals on a daily basis during <br />the Spring, Summer, and Fall periods). Similarly, 15-20 pronghorn utilize the reclamation on <br />a daily basis during the Spring and early Summer periods. <br />Following the winter, it has been observed in early spring that forage utilization on the <br />reclamation often ranges between 70 and 90 percent, especially near water sources. In fact, <br />utilization is often so elevated that both elk and mule deer turn to the few unfenced shrubs <br />that have been established about the reclaimed area and cause extensive hedging damage. <br />Over the years it has been observed that such hedging eventually leads to the death of most of <br />these over-utilized shrubs. <br />Because of the dependence on these areas, and the shrub populations, efforts by Colowyo (as <br />indicated in the previous portions of Section 2.05) have continued to improve reclamation <br />techniques. As discussed in this revision, new and significant strides are being taken to re- <br />establish sagebrush steppe communities as well as grassland areas. Many of these new <br />measures will benefit not only the large game animal segment of the wildlife community, but <br />also other components such as sage grouse and sharp-tailed grouse populations that are <br />dependent on sagebrush and other woody species for forage and cover. <br />2.05-70 Revision Date: 3/14/08 <br />Revision No.: TR-72
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