2010-01-25_PERMIT FILE - C1981044A (3)

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Summary In summary, the BTU EC mining operations, has many species of wildlife. The balances of number and type of species indicate a healthy wildlife environment. Present mining operations appear to be in harmony with nature resulting in negligible ,disruption to the wildlife. BTU EC's underground operations and underground expansion should have minimal impact to wildlife in the area. TERRESTRIAL, ECOLOGY ., The following discussion on terrestrial ecology is based on information collected by BTU EC from; 1) Colorado Division of Wildlife; 2) United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service; 3) Ecology Consultants, Inc., and; 4) The Final Environmental Statement for Northwest Colorado Coal. After a reconnaissance of the region, sites were selected for detailed studies of the structure and composition of characteristic terrestrial communities. Care was taken to select locations which were representative of each community type. Because of the ecological instability, which characterize cultivated lands, only those areas having natural communities were sampled. It is emphasized, that the biotic communities surrounding the RAG EC mining complex have been markedly affected by past and present agricultural and ranching practices. Vast areas of natural vegetation have been replaced by an extensive dry land grain industry, especially in the lower portions of the northern slope of the Williams Fork Mountains. All of the region sagebrush communities have been modified in terms of species composition and coverage by livestock grazing. Study sites were located in areas of low grazing intensity. Four vegetation communities representing major ecosystems in the area were selected for the study. These were: Cottonwood stand in Big Bottom Sagebrush stand in Big Bottom Sagebrush slopes and flatlands above Big Bottom Sagebrush stand on the Williams Fork Mountains The location of these intensive wildlife study areas is shown on' ~ Figure 38, Vegetation Community Sampling Locations, found in Section 2.04.10, Vegetation Information. Information was acquired from the Final Environmental Statement for Northwest Colorado Coal to show the key use areas and any migration routes for mule deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, turkey vultures, sandhill crane, sharp-tail grouse, and sage grouse. This information is provided on the following Figures: Figure 39, Mule Deer Use Areas and Migration Routes, Figure 40, Elk Use Areas and Migration Routes, Figure 41, Pronghorn Antelope Use Areas, Figure 42, Greater Sandhill Crane, Turkey Vulture, and Sharp-Tail Grouse Use Areas, and Figure 43, Sage Grouse Distribution, Habitat, and Strutting Grounds. The animal carrying capacities by vegetation type in the regional area is shown on Table 44, Carrying Capacities by Vegetation Type. This information was also acquired from the Final Environmental Statement for Northwest Colorado Coal. Permit Renewal RN-04 2.04-41 11/21/06 ~1P~,OV~~ ~~~ ~ ~ 20~~