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Based on the occurrence of suitable habitat, the following six special status species may be present <br />on or near the proposed PSCM permit area: northern leopard frog, American peregrine falcon, <br />ferruginous hawk, greater sage-grouse, northern pocket gopher, and the !midget faded rattlesnake. <br />There is federally designated critical habitat along the Yampa River for four species of fish: the <br />Colorado squawfish, razorback sucker, bonytail chub, and humpback chub. <br />Cultural and Historic Resources <br />The applicant conducted site-specific archaeological and cultural investigations of the area proposed <br />for underground mining activities in the PSCM permit area in 2008 and 2009. These investigations <br />found no archeological sites or artifacts. The operator of the Seneca II Mine had conducted site- <br />specific archaeological investigations of the area now proposed for transfer to the PSCM during <br />1978 through 1987; two archaeological sites and one isolated prehistoric artifact were identified, and <br />one, a stone hearth, was considered significant. The operator entered into an agreement with the <br />State Historic Preservation Office regarding mitigation measures of the site. Copies of all survey <br />and testing reports are on file with the State Historic Preservation Office. <br />Description of the Operation Plan <br />The PSCM will mine the Wadge coal seam using underground room-and-pillar methods. No <br />longwall mining operations are proposed for the first five-year permit term. The Wadge seam is <br />between 8.5 and 11 feet thick in the permit area. Pillars will not be removed. If the room-and-pillar <br />operation indicates favorable economics, then the applicant may propose a full-scale long-wall mine <br />in a future permit revision. <br />During the first five-year permit term, four sections of underground entries will advance <br />approximately 3 miles southward from the portal area in an area approximately 0.75 mile wide. Coal <br />mined during the first term will be on State leases. Coal production rates in tons, in years 1 through <br />5 are expected to be, respectively: 0; 500,000; 1,500,000; 2,000,000; and 2,000,000. <br />Operations during the initial five-year permit term of the PSCM will involve excavation of a portal <br />face-up area, construction of surface facilities, and the development of mains, submains, and four <br />sections of entries. Much of the portal face-up area and the support structures will be constructed in <br />or on backfilled spoil reclaimed under the Seneca II mine permit (C-80-005). Topsoil from the <br />surface facilities area will be salvaged and stockpiled onsite. Development of the portal face-up area <br />will require excavation of an oval pit for exposing the Wadge coal seam. The oval pit will be <br />approximately 100 feet deep, in a 13-acre area. Surface blasting maybe necessary for developing the <br />portal. All aterial from the pit excavation will be used for constructing pads nearby, on which the <br />surface facilities will be constructed. <br />Surface facilities will include a variety of buildings, roads, and other structures for supporting an <br />underground mine operation. Structures remaining in the PSCM permit area from the Seneca II <br />Mine operation will be used for PSCM underground mining activities, including an office, a <br />warehouse, four sediment control ponds, and various ditches and roads. 'These existing structures <br />Peabody Sage Creek Mine 11 May 7, 2010