Laserfiche WebLink
No specific approvals are granted to the applicant under this section. <br />XIII. Protection of Fish, Wildlife and Related Environmental Values <br />Twentymile Coal Company evaluated the mine plan expansion area for threatened and <br />endangered species. The mining area is at an elevation above that for habitat defined <br />for Ute lady's tresses orchid. The permit area is below the elevation expected for <br />Boreal toad and lynx. A raptor survey was conducted on areas projected for <br />subsidence of Middle Creek. No active nesting sites were identified within the <br />proposed affected area and no Bald eagles were observed in the survey area. <br />The Colorado Division of Wildlife sent a letter to the Colorado Division of Minerals <br />and Geology on January 28, 2000. The Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) <br />determined that the proposed underground expansion associated with PR-05, "should <br />not negatively impact any state listed threatened or endangered species." The <br />proposed affected area encompasses habitat for Columbian sharp-tailed grouse. The <br />CDOW determined that the proposed Foidel Creek Mine operation "should not have <br />any significant impacts to the existing Columbian sharp-tailed grouse habitats in this <br />area." <br />The Office of Surface Mining (OSM) requested a Section 7 Consultation with the U.S. <br />Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on June 9, 2009, with respect to Permit Revision <br />No. 8 (PR8) proposed mine plan. The USFWS provided a response to OSM on July <br />14, 2009. The USFWS stated that water depletion impacts to four Colorado River <br />endangered fish had previously been addressed in biological opinions GJ-6-CO-95-F- <br />007 and GJ-6-CO-97-F-014. The USFWS provided concurrence with the proposed <br />mining operation and determined that no further consultation was necessary. <br />XIV. Protection of Underground Mining <br />No specific approvals are granted to the applicant under this section. <br />XV. Subsidence Control <br />The applicant has predicted that no material damage will result from subsidence, other <br />than the possibility of mining in the Western Mining District drying up two springs <br />that have adjudicated water rights, the Gertie No. 1 and Livestock No. 2 springs. <br />Numerous structures exist above previously approved mining areas. The applicant has <br />presented a subsidence control plan to repair or mitigate damage caused by subsidence <br />for each of the existing structures. Details regarding the subsidence control plan may <br />be found in the approved PAP. A brief summary of the subsidence control measures <br />for each structure follows. <br />County Road No. 33 <br />Mining conducted in the Eastern Mining District (EMD) and longwall panel 12 in the <br />Northern Mining District (NMD) undermined portions of Routt County Road No. 33. <br />Foidel Creek Mine 33 June 4, 2010