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RULE 2 PERMITS <br />obvious that reestablishment of shrubs on the reclaimed area is not critical to encourage wildlife use. <br />Colowyo implemented wildlife management and range management programs to offset the potential <br />impacts of mining on wildlife and to improve the rangeland which had deteriorated after years of <br />overgrazing. Other protection measures were also implemented to minimize any possible effects of the <br />increased mining activity. <br />Impacts of Minim Operations on Wildlife Resources Within the Mine Plan Area <br />Several short term negative impacts to wildlife are to be expected in the permit area. Removal of <br />vegetation communities and habitats will be the most direct impact, resulting in a reduction of food <br />source and cover. Non-mobile species will be destroyed in localized areas as vegetation and topsoil are <br />removed. Mobile species will be temporarily displaced until mined areas are reclaimed. As the mine <br />progresses, some changes in topography will occur through the removing of vegetation, rock <br />outcroppings, draws, etc. which form natural shelters. <br />Disturbance of soils will affect soil profiles, micro-climate, and other soil properties. <br />The backfilling and grading as required in Section 4.14.2 will assure that topographic features and <br />drainage patterns will be returned to approximate original contour. <br />Wildlife species inhabiting the permit area that have the most potential for being affected include deer, <br />elk, sage grouse, and raptors. However, experience to date has shown that all of these species have <br />adapted to the presence of the Colowyo operation, resulting in minimal impact. Most of the mitigation <br />measures, protection measures, and habitat improvement techniques are directed toward this wildlife <br />group. <br />Range and Wildlife Management Programs <br />Data collected during pre-mine studies during 1974 - 1976 indicated overuse by cattle, deer, and elk. A <br />majority of the browse species (serviceberry, oak, snowberry, bitterbrush, sage, chokecherry) showed <br />overutilization to varying degrees. (It has been evident both past and present that many of the shrubs are <br />in a decadent condition.) <br />The results of past poor range management practices and heavy browse use have been a reduction in <br />growth with less available forage. In addition, species such as oak and serviceberry have grown taller, <br />with palatable growth being limited to a height which can be reached only by the largest animals. <br />As oak and serviceberry have grown taller, large windbreaks have been created. In the winter, these areas <br />hold the snow, which becomes deep enough to limit all access by deer and elk. Fifteen years of <br />observations on the permit area have shown that winter use of the mountain shrub type by elk and deer is <br />highly dependent on snow depth and severity of winter weather conditions. The use of the serviceberry <br />has been limited to shrubs near the edges of the stands where less snow buildup occurs. Depending on <br />snow depth, elk and deer populations tend to concentrate on south facing hill slope areas where snow <br />depth is minimal. <br />Colowyo began fencing the boundaries of the Federal lease during the fall of 1976. The fencing was <br />completed during the summer of 1977. At this time all the cattle were removed from the lease area. The <br />fencing was done as part of an overall grazing management program to improve the rangeland after <br />several years of over-grazing. In 1991, Colowyo constructed a similar fence to provide a boundary for <br />the areas added to the Permit and to exclude grazing in this area. <br />Rule 2 Permits 2.05-37 Revision Date: 6/23/08 <br />Revision No.: MR-91