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Several ponds and impoundments are present throughout the PSCM permit area and <br />adjacent areas and most of them host at least some wetland vegetation along the <br />shoreline. The larger impoundments are the Nofsteger (in Scotchmans Gulch) and <br />Nofsteger Zeigler (in Annand Draw) reservoirs. These reservoirs are located in <br />Township (T) 5 North (N), Range (R) 87 West (W), within Sections 4 and 9. Smaller <br />impoundments and ponds exist in T6N, R87W, in Sections 27, 28, 34, 11, and 13 as <br />shown on Map 2.04.3-M1, Land Use, and Map 2.04.3-M2, Aerial Photo. Pecoco Pond <br />(T6N, R87W, NW '/4 Section 2) falls within the proposed surface disturbance area while <br />Wadge Pond (T6N, R87W, NE '/4 Section 34) lies adjacent to the mine access road <br />approximately one mile north of the portal facilities. <br />4. Rights for water to use during mining: <br />Water will be pulled from the Wadge Pit Reservoir and discharged to the PECOCO Pond <br />for CM mining use. This use will result in negligible mining-related impacts on water <br />rights and use in Little Grassy Creek. SCCC holds sufficient water rights within the <br />Grassy Creek basin to offset any decreases. Excess mine drainage not used for <br />underground operations, which does not result in any reduction in surface flows due to <br />the lack of a direct hydraulic connection, will probably result in some variable discharge <br />of excess mine water to the surface system, effectively augmenting surface flows on a <br />year-round basis. SCCC is committed to mitigate any significant adverse impacts to <br />offsite water rights through augmentation of any affected water rights, development of <br />alternative watering facilities, or other appropriate mitigation measures. <br />5. Water augmentation plan if pond or lake reclamation: N/A <br />6. Affected irrigation ditches and/or structures: None <br />7. Visual impacts: Limited to portal area and surface facilities. <br />8. Visual screening: Natural or topographic screening. No additional screening required. <br />a. existing: Topographic <br />b. proposed landscaping/berming: None required <br />9. Wildlife habitat impacts (submit comments from Division of Wildlife area manager): <br />a. CDOW comments to the PSCM permit application have been included in Exhibit 7 and <br />recommendations have been incorporated into the permit application. <br />b. The PSCM permit area is approximately 10,164 acres, of which only 275.4 acres have the <br />potential to be disturbed. The PSCM surface disturbance area is partially located in a <br />previously disturbed and reclaimed area (Seneca II Mine). Due to the location and type <br />of proposed mine development (underground mining), and the intent of the PSCM to <br />minimize disturbance and continue to implement all appropriate wildlife monitoring, and <br />protection and/or mitigation plans prior to and/or during mine operations, impacts to <br />wildlife are expected to be limited to the facilities area. The development and operation <br />of the PSCM will result in minimal short-term habitat loss for some species, but careful <br />reclamation efforts on-site, any habitat enhancements off-site and the ready availability of <br />-19-