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area. The major impact of the mine operation is the reduction of some big game winter range. <br />The total project removed approximately 59 acres from the production, with no detriment to the <br />wildlife populations of the area. Final reclamation has provided over 37 acres of additional <br />reclaimed area for incidental wildlife usage. <br />Golden eagles are not expected to be impacted to the same degree as bald eagles since it is <br />assumed from experience with resident golden eagles in other areas of Colorado that they are not <br />obligatory winter carrion eaters. The permit area does not offer good roost sites or nesting <br />habitat. The permit area does offer suitable hunting grounds which may be enhanced when they <br />are opened up and resident rodents and rabbits are displaced. The open nature of the proposed <br />revegetated areas should offer improved hunting habitat (also applies to other rapture species) <br />until, through succession, the area returns to a predominantly pinyon juniper climax community. <br />New powerline construction undertaken by OEI will be in conformance with REA Bulletin 61- <br />10 to prevent rapture electrocution. <br />To the degree that the concerns of the DOW can be accommodated by the requirements of the <br />post- mining land uses, the fish and wildlife plan for the reclamation of the mine will do so. <br />2 05 6(3) Protection of the Hydrologic Balance <br />Appropriate maps and cross sections relative to the ground water and surface water hydrology <br />have been provided in Section 2.04.7. Backfilling, grading, retopsoiling, and subsequent <br />revegetation will re- establish landforms consistent with those adjacent to the mine. Surface <br />water runoff and attendant erosion will be minimized through establishment of vegetation. The <br />herbaceous nature of the vegetation to be established provides greater cover and erosion control <br />than the native pre -mine vegetation. <br />The Carbon Junction Mine will minimally impact both the quality and quantity of ground and <br />surface waters. A discussion of the probable hydrologic consequences of mining is set forth <br />below as well as in the CDMG findings document for the initial approval of permit C -92 -080. <br />The CDMG discussion of probable hydrologic consequences is incorporated by reference into <br />this document. This discussion includes a quantitative analysis of the impacts of the proposed <br />operation on the existing ground and surface water resources, both quantity and quality impacts. <br />There are no regional aquifers that will be interrupted or impacted by the proposed mining <br />activity. Ground water in the area is found in discontinuous lenses within lenticular sandstones, <br />fractures and in coal seams. Ground water analysis indicates that the water found in the coal <br />seams is of good quality and has no acid or toxic materials in the analysis. <br />According to test data, little to no water will filtrate to the Pictured Cliff Sandstones, and <br />otherwise, the coals seams and perched water are expected to discharge to the reclaimed pit. <br />Overburden and refuse analysis indicate no acid or toxic materials are found in the materials. <br />Sulfur materials in the refuse will be placed no less than 20 feet above the pit water level in <br />reclamation although there is no available information indicating the two to three percent (2 to <br />0 3 %) sulfur in the reject is acid forming. <br />Abridged Permit Document 5 -34 Feb 2008 <br />