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12. Has the applicant provided an adequate description of the presence and estimated <br />populations of threatened and endangered species from the federal and state lists? <br />(Rule 6.4.8(1)(c) <br />In consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Colorado Division of <br />Wildlife and the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, the applicant did describe <br />the presence and estimated populations of threatened or endangered species <br />and thus, met the requirements ofRule 6.4.8(1)(c). <br />13. Is re-establishment of wildlife habitat considered in the reclamation plan? (Rule <br />6.4.5(2)) <br />The primary pre- and post-mining land use for this site is rangeland. However, <br />the applicant has taken wildlife habitat into consideration with their <br />reclamation plan. The re-vegetation plan provides for a more ecologically <br />diverse vegetative community than what presently exists on site. Successful <br />establishment of revegetation plan as proposed, should improve the wildlife <br />habitat due to the increased diversity ofplant composition and cover compared <br />to the pre-mining conditions. <br />Soils information <br />14. Has the applicant addressed the soil characteristics in the area of the proposed <br />operation to the extent necessary to demonstrate its' suitability for revegetation? <br />(Rule 3.1.9(6) and (7), and Rule 6.4.9). <br />Soils in the proposed mining area have been sufficiently mapped to determine <br />the amount available for reclamation, and their suitabilityfor reclamation. <br />Based on the pre-mining surveys of these, the applicant has determined that <br />approximately 75% of the area has 18-24 inches of topsoil and subsoil available <br />for use during reclamation. This soil will typically be salvaged in two lifts <br />consisting of the top 6 inches and the underlyingl2-I8 inches, which will be <br />kept separate from the remaining overburden. The remaining 25 % of the area <br />has soils that may be limiting, mostly due to excessive rock fragments. As a <br />result, the average soil replacement depth will range from a minimum of 12 <br />inches to a maximum of 24 inches with an average of 18 inches replaced. <br />15. Does the applicant address what measures will be taken to protect topsoil to avoid <br />deterioration, to protect the topsoil from erosion and to prevent contamination <br />from blasting? (Rule 3.1.9(1) and (3)) <br />The applicant has committed in their submittal of July 8, 2002 to "live handle" <br />topsoil, subsoil, and backfill materials. This technique of materials handling, <br />whereby topsoil is removed from the active stripping location then placed on the <br />active topsoiling location, provides the best protection for the topsoil, in that no <br />deterioration takes place, and the topsoil is exposed to erosive forces for the