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RULE 2 - PERMITS <br />• Coordinating with CDOW on best approaches to minimize impacts to wildlife species <br />• • Conducting wildlife monitoring during the PSCM LOM operational period and at the time <br />of reclamation success evaluations. Wildlife monitoring at the time of reclamation success <br />will be coordinated with CDOW. Any monitoring data from the period during LOM <br />operations will be included in success evaluations and will be included in any annual <br />reclamation reporting. <br />Fish and Wildlife Protection Measures <br />As discussed in the response to Section 2.04.11, Fish and Wildlife Resources Information, potential <br />impacts to big game (elk, mule deer, and pronghorn), Columbian sharp- tailed grouse, greater sage - <br />grouse, all species of raptors, and the greater sandhill crane are the primary concerns of the <br />regulatory agencies. No fish surveys have been required by CDOW or CDRMS for the PSCM <br />permit area. Direct and indirect habitat impacts associated with consumptive water use at the <br />PSCM (see Section 2.05.6(3), Protection of Hydrologic Balance) and the potential this impact may <br />have on the four USFWS aquatic vertebrate species (described in Section 2.04.11) were assessed <br />and determined to have no impact to these species. No other special status species are anticipated to <br />be affected by the development and operation of PSCM. <br />The following are wildlife protection and potential mitigation measures PSCM will employ to <br />reduce the potential or impacts to these and other species residing in the PSCM permit area. <br />General Wildlife Protection Measures (GWPM) <br />• GWPM 1 - PSCM will promptly report to CDRMS the discovery in the permit area of: <br />• Any threatened or endangered animal or plant species listed or proposed to be listed by the <br />USFWS or State of Colorado. <br />• Any critical habitat of any threatened or endangered animal or plant species listed or <br />proposed to be listed by the USFWS or State of Colorado; or <br />• Any raptor, or nest thereof, of which PSCM becomes aware and which was not previously <br />reported by PSCM. <br />Big Game Protection Measure (BGPM) <br />BGPM 1 - An increase in traffic from additional mine vehicles in the area may increase the <br />likelihood of vehicle collisions with big game. To reduce the potential for big game /vehicle <br />collisions on the access roads and haulroads within the PSCM facilities area, a maximum speed <br />limit of 25 miles per hour (mph) will be posted. Employees will be advised of the importance and <br />requirement of adhering to this speed limit in order to reduce the chance of big game mortality, <br />vehicle damage, and personnel injury. To the extent possible, employee shift changes will also be <br />maintained so that peak mine traffic levels do not coincide with the time period of highest potential <br />for big game /vehicle collisions (sunset to four hours after). <br />Columbian Sharp - tailed Grouse and Greater Sage Grouse Protection Measures (STGPM and <br />GSGPM) <br />• <br />PSCM Permit App. 2.05 -65 Revision 12/17/09 <br />