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<br />Initially the coal refuse is wet and therefore not dusty. However, watering may be necessary once it <br />has dried and subjected to equipment activity. Dust from topsoil piles is controlled by vegetative <br />cover. Watering may be used during soil removal and replacement if dry conditions warrant. <br />Alternatives to the coal handling methods described in the permit application were totally enclosing, <br />or not enclosing and using water spray, on the rotary breaker, conveyors, and transfer points. <br />Totally enclosing these facilities provides close to 100 percent control. Using water spray on the <br />unenclosed facilities would have provided only 50 percent control for fugitive emissions. <br />Coal is transferred from the mine to the power plant by a combination of overland conveyor and <br />electric railroad. <br />IV.M Fish and Wildlife Plan <br />IV.M.1 Big Game Migration A big game migration study was conducted in the mine permit area. <br />Mule deer and pronghorn observations were made via aerial reconnaissance from October 1980 <br />through April or May 1981. The main objectives of the study were 1) determine the timing of fall and <br />spring migratory movements; 2) estimate the spatial and temporal variation in population sizes; and <br />3) identify important areas, such as major crossings. Appropriate mitigation measures were then <br />• developed in regard to potential coal transportation system impacts. <br />IV.M.2 Threatened and Endangered Species The habitats for threatened and endangered <br />species and those of unusually high value are of concern to BME. Consequently, the biological <br />consultants were directed to sample all recognizable habitat types over the area of potential <br />perturbation. This was done and was reported. -!"I-e vertebrate species are listed, categorized and <br />populations estimated by habitat type in Section II.H cf the permit. Additionally, the habitats <br />supporting the greatest number of terrestrial vertebrate.; are also identified in the same section. <br />There are no vegetative communities (habitats] present ~n the area of potential impact due to <br />construction and operation of the coal mane and its associated facilities that are considered critical to <br />the continued existence and stability of she population a. any vertebrate species. No threatened or <br />endangered species of terrestrial vertebrate were found; however, the projected range of the <br />black-footed ferret was of concern. Since they have historically been dependent upon prairie dog <br />colonies for their existence, two man-weeks were spent to determine prairie dog population density <br />and distribution in relationship to the specific areas to be used for the mine portal, washing facility, <br />haul road, coal conveyor, disposal and alternate power plant sites. <br />On November 15, 2001 Coyote Basin and Wolf Creek became the first release sites of black-footed <br />ferrets (BFF) in Colorado. The release is part of the BFF recovery plan to establish viable <br />populations of BFF. These BFF received the designation of "Nonessential Experimental <br />• Permit Rev. 4 (11/2002) IV-44 <br />