2009-04-29_PERMIT FILE - C1982056A ‎(5)‎

• Permit No: C1982056A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 4/29/2009
• Section_Exhibit Name: 2.04 Environmental Resources
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

18-Left Ventilation Shaft Installation (TR09-66)
The 18-Left Ventilation Shaft Installation site is an upland area that has been developed and is utilized as improved
pastureland for hay production and/or livestock grazing. This area is shown on Map 18, Premining Vegetation, as
"Cropland", and vegetation and use is consistent with the description of the Cropland vegetation type. Referring to
Table 33, vegetative productivity (grass hay) for this area, which is underlain primarily by the Binco soil type, is
estimated at 500 lbs/acre. The only known TES plant specie identified as potentially occurring in the general area
is Ute Ladies' Tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis), which is known to occur only in riparian lowland areas, and would
not reasonably be expected to occur in the project area.
RULE 2.04.11- FISH AND WII~DLIFE RESOURCES INFORMATION
(1) Each application shall include a study of fish and wildlife and their habitats within the proposed
permit area and portions of the adjacent area as determined by the Division, or in the case of underground mining,
only those areas within the proposed permit area and portions of the adjacent area as determined by the Division
where surface mining will be conducted or facilities located and the portions of the permit area where effects on
such resources may reasonably be expected to occur.
~~ Prior to initiating such studies, the applicant shall contact the Division to determine what fish and
wildlife resources information will be required.
(3) The Division, in consultation with the appropriate State and Federal fish and wildlife mans e
conservation, or land management agencies having responsibilities for fish and wildlife or their habitats, shall
determine the level of detail and the areas of such studies, according to:
(a) Published data and other information;
(b) Site-specific information obtained by the applicant; and
(c) Written Quidance obtained from agencies consulted.
~4) The potential for impacts to rare and endangered animal species shall be evaluated by the Division
in consultation with appropriate Federal and State a eg ncies•
RESPONSE
Introduction - On November 16, 1983, the Applicant's personnel met with representatives from the Colorado
Division of Wildlife (CDOW), US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
to determine the level of detail of wildlife information and studies necessary to satisfy the requirements of CMLRD
Rules Section 2.04.11 for the Twentymile Coal Company's (TCC) Foidel Creek Mine Life-of--Mine permit revision
application. Based on discussions at this meeting, six items of wildlife concern were identified, along with the level
of detail required by the agencies for each item of concern. It was also concluded that if these items were studied
and addressed to the identified levels in the application, the basic requirements of Section 2.04.11 would be
satisfied. The following topics of study or concern were identified:
1. Continued monitoring and protection of sage grouse leks.
2. Conduct field vegetation studies in conjunction with snow depth analysis on sagebrush to determine where
critical winter range for sage grouse exists.
3. Conduct a spring nesting survey of sandhill cranes.
4. Check permit boundary and potential areas of disturbance against CDOW maps to determine if any critical
big-game winter range may be impacted.
5. Investigate benefits of a mass transit system for transport of workers from main portal to shafts.
6. Monitor and record big-game road-kills on county haulroad from main portal to tipple during first year of
mine operation. If road-kills become excessive, then meet with CDOW to decide on mitigation measures.
TR09-66 2.04-61.3 02/17/09