2009-05-12_REVISION - C1981025 (8)

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B. The Division approved an alternative post-mining land use for the Developed Water Resource area, a 4.1 acre portion of the mine site, comprised of the mine portal discharge collection and water treatment system facilities. C. The approved post-mining land use for the mine site is rangeland, which is consistent with the pre-mining and surrounding area land uses. VII. Protection of Fish, Wildlife, and Related Environmental Values A. The applicant proposed the use of persistent pesticides on the site during mining and/or reclamation operations. Herbicides were used to control noxious weeds on the reclaimed mine site. The Division approved this usage (4.18(4)(g)). B. Fish and wildlife habitat is a planned post-mining land use. The applicant selected appropriate plant species and distributions to benefit fish and wildlife (4.18(4)(I)). VIII. Operations on Alluvial Valley Floors Rules 2.06.8 and 4.24 provide for the identification of alluvial valley floors that are or could be suitable for agricultural use. These rules, in part, are designed to preserve and protect these areas. An important point to be considered with regard to this operation is the fact that the operation (mine and loadout) was constructed prior to the enactment of the alluvial valley floor regulations for underground coal mines. Prior to the Colorado Permanent Regulatory Program, the alluvial valley floor regulations did not apply to underground coal mines or associated loadouts. For those mining facilities already constructed on alluvial valley floors, the Division is ensuring that those areas will be restored after mining in accordance with Rule 4.24. However, all new mining operations proposed by the operator were reviewed under the full context of alluvial valley floor regulations. For the purposes of this section, the mine and loadout will be discussed separately. A. Mine Site The operator conducted a reconnaissance-level study of the mine area to determine those areas that might qualify as alluvial valley floors. The study area is indicated on Map D-5-1 and discussed in Volume I, Section 5.2, of the application. The study area included the potential 20+ year life-of-mine area, in addition to the first permitted five-year mine plan area. Also, areas adjacent to the life-of-mine were considered for distances in excess of three miles. The total area considered for this mine.investigation was in excess of 75 square miles. Black and white and color aerial photos were used for the study. In addition, areas were field checked for accuracy. The study identified areas of unconsolidated streamlaid deposits along the North, Middle, and South Thompson Creeks and their tributaries. Surveys and field checks of these deposits revealed that the alluvium is relatively thin, intermittent, and restricted to the immediate stream channels. No identifiable soils were mapped within alluvial areas; the alluvium is primarily boulders and cobbles with minor stretches of sand, gravel, silt, and clay. North Thompson Creek C-1981-025 Permit Renewal 05 12 May 2009 33