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farmland areas will be returned to irrigated cropland. The remaining lands will be returned to a <br />combination of developed water resources (ponds), roads and commercial facilities. <br />G. Fish and Wildlife <br />The area surrounding the New Horizon Mine permit is used by a large variety of wildlife <br />including coyotes, fox, mule deer, elk (in the winter) and numerous bird species. Pond 007, <br />which has been approved to remain as a permanent feature following bond release, has been <br />observed to attract various species of migratory water fowl, including ducks, snow geese, white- <br />faced ibis, and Canada geese. <br />H. Climate <br />The regional climate of the New Hor.znn area ,s t,r.cal of intermnunta:n regions. The cl.mate .S <br />characterized by cold winters, hot summers, low rainfall, and short growing seasons. The mine <br />receives approximately 12 inches of precipitation in an average year. The majority of the <br />precipitation falls between October and May. <br />IV. Description of the Operations and Reclamation Plan <br />New Horizon Mine I <br />The presently permitted New Horizon Mine 1 mine block encompasses 98.62 acres. The entire <br />acreage has been fully reclaimed but has not yet been approved for final bond release. The <br />originally permitted Mine 1 block encompassed a significantly larger area, but the remainder of <br />the original permit block has been fully released from liability. <br />New Horizon Mine 2 <br />In February 1993, Western Fuels - Colorado commenced surface mining operations at the New <br />Horizon Mine 2 block. The annual production is approximately 400,000 tons per year. At this <br />time, active mining and reclamation activities are concurrent. Topsoil salvaging depths and <br />plans are detailed in section 2.04.9 and 2.05.4(2)(d) of the permit application. Actual topsoil <br />recovery was less than originally projected in portions of the original (pre-PR-05) permit area, <br />due to discrepancies found in the Peabody topsoil depth estimates. A mitigation plan was <br />approved by the Division and implemented by the mine in 1996. <br />Whenever possible, topsoil is live hauled to active reclamation areas. However, this cannot <br />always be accomplished (particularly in the case of acreage designated as Prime Farmland), and <br />some topsoil will be stockpiled. Stockpiled topsoil will be protected from wind and water <br />erosion by roughening and ditching around the pile, establishing an annual cover crop, or <br />establishing a perennial grass cover, depending on the length of time a stockpile will be in place. <br />Overburden is removed by a shovel and trucks after an area has been drilled and shot. An ANFO <br />slurry is the primary agent used in the blast. All shots are monitored with seismographs located <br />19