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RULE 2 PERMITS <br />.............. . <br />Sagegrouse Mitigation <br />I. Onizoing Mitigation Offsetting Current Loss of <br />Sagegrouse Habitat Due to Mining. <br />Prior to 1976 due to the prior landowners' grazing practices, the rangeland both within the <br />permit area and surrounding areas was in an overgrazed condition. <br />After 1976 the following changes in the management of the land, then owned by Colowyo, <br />took place which indirectly increased the sagegrouse nesting and brood rearing capacity of the <br />overall area. This increased carrying capacity of the sagegrouse habitat provides the mitigation <br />for any displaced sagegrouse population during mining. <br />1. From 1976 until 1979 all livestock grazing was stopped in order to allow the range to rest and <br />to return to a more productive state. The immediate benefit to sagegrouse was the increased <br />production of herbaceous vegetation which, along with insects, is an important component to <br />the sagegrouse brood population diet. A secondary benefit was the end of any nest trampling <br />and end of disturbance and heavy grazing around watering areas due to livestock grazing. <br />2. During 1976 a fence was constructed around the Federal coal lease which eliminated all <br />further livestock grazing in this area. Since 1976 to the present, sagegrouse have continued to <br />benefit as described as #1 above. <br />3. All other areas outside of the lease fence (approximately 6,000 acres) have been grazed since <br />1979 at 60% of carrying capacity. This rate would allow <br />or an increased sagegrouse brood population over that which the area supported in an <br />overgrazed condition <br />4. Since 1976, numerous areas of thick, decadent stands of the mountain shrub vegetation within <br />and adjacent to the lease area have been cleared of brush as part of the big game mitigation <br />program. As a result of the brushing, the production of succulent herbaceous vegetation has <br />increased, offering more forage for the sagegrouse brood population. <br />The above changes in Management practices of the rangeland around the Colowyo mining <br />area contribute to the increased capability of supporting any displaced sagegrouse nesting and <br />brooding population. No additional treatments to mitigate for a displaced sagegrouse <br />population in effect, nor would other methods likely be as effective. <br />II. Post-mining Mitigation for Sagegrouse <br />As stated in the Permit Application, sagegrouse use of the area to be mined is for nesting and <br />brood rearing purposes. <br />According to information contained within the Bureau of Land Management Technical Note <br />#330, "abitat Requirements and Management Recommendations for Sage Grouse,"the most important <br />factor for nesting habitat in the sagebrush vegetation type is sagebrush. Within this vegetative community, <br />the majority of sagegrouse nests occur under sagebrush. It is assumed that within the mountain shrub <br />vegetative community, sagegrouse nest would be found under the mountain shrub components as well as <br />sagebrush. <br />Rule 2 Permits 2.05-39 Revision Date: 6/23/08 <br />Revision No.: MR-91