2009-09-14_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981019

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vetch (Vicia Americana). The aspen communities occur primarily on northwest facing slopes at elevations above 7,400 feet, in the South Taylor Pit area of the mine. Large continuous stands of aspen occurred along the upper portions of the West Fork of the Goodspring Creek in Sections 6, 31 and 32 and on the slopes leading to the East Fork of Wilson Creek in Sections 19 and 20. Aspen accounted for 13.6 percent of the vegetation in the Danforth Hills study area. In the South Taylor Pit disturbance area, aspen communities account for approximately 15.2% of the disturbed area (approximately 221 acres of the approximately 1,453 disturbed acres). These aspen communities are concentrated in 10 individual communities ranging in size from approximately one acre to 122 acres. The individual communities are shown on Map 4A, Vegetation - South Taylor Mining Area. More information regarding the aspen communities can be found in Volume 12, Section 2.04. 10 and in Exhibit 10, Item 5. 3.2.11 Land Use Land use information is found in Sections 2.04.3, 2.05.5, and 4.16 (Volume 1 for the East Pit, West Pit, Section 16 Pit, Facilities Area and Gossard Loadout and Volume 12 for South Taylor) and Map 17 of the PAP. Specific findings are described in Section B, Item XII of this document. The land use of reclaimed lands is rangeland (4.16, PAP). Wildlife habitat is incidental to reclaimed rangeland, as described below under Wildlife. Prior land uses within the Permit area were primarily rangeland, wildlife habitat, with some agriculture (not disturbed by the mining activity). Land uses in adjacent area are primarily rangeland and wildlife habitat. There is some dryland farming on level uplands, and small areas of irrigated pasture and hayland along stream courses in the general area. Rangeland on the permit area is characterized as good condition sagebrush and mountain shrub range that, in the past, was variously grazed by either sheep or cattle during the spring, summer or fall. The rangeland also supports substantial populations of mule deer, elk, sage grouse, golden eagles and numerous other wildlife species at various times throughout the year. Post mine land use will support wildlife and livestock utilization. 3.2.12 Wildlife Measures to protect wildlife and related environmental values are presented in paragraph 4.18 of the PAP. No threatened or endangered species have been identified in the permit area. No critical habitat for any such species is known to exist. Herds of deer and elk are regularly seen grazing on the reclaimed area, especially during the winter. Rodent and small game populations have reestablished on reclaimed areas, and small birds and raptors are numerous on reclaimed and adjacent undisturbed areas. Except for the immediate vicinity of the pump station on the Wilson Reservoir, there is no fish habitat or fish within the areas to be mined or reclaimed. Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance 14 September 2009 Permit Renewal 05 Page 24