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wells. The studies have also indicated little potential for deterioration of surface water <br />flow or quality from the mining operation. <br />The Second Park Lateral crosses the area to be mined and the water in the ditch will be <br />diverted through a large diameter HDPE pipe around the area of mining. The pipe serves <br />two purposes: first of all it allows the ditch water to reach users downstream of the mine; <br />and secondly it prevents water from infiltrating into the coal seam and surrounding strata <br />during mining. Eliminating the infiltrating water from the coal strata during mining will <br />greatly reduce the amount of water that seeps into the mine during operations. The <br />structure of the strata at NHN Mine strikes to the northwest and dips to the southwest. <br />Water seeping into the excavation as the mine advances to the north will flow to the south <br />and infiltrate the overburden backfill and eventually issue as springs into a south flowing <br />tributary of Tuttle Draw. Upon completion of mining, the Second Park Lateral will be <br />replaced near its original location but will be piped. The HDPE pipe will allow the <br />irrigation water to flow across the porous reclaimed overburden backfill without losses <br />and still provide water for the reclamation and sustainable post reclamation uses. <br />Wetlands have been identified in two drainage bottoms that cross the area to be mined. <br />As with the presence of ground water in the area, the wetlands are directly related to <br />irrigation. Typically irrigation run-off or tailwater flows into drainage bottoms where <br />slow movement of the water allows wetlands type vegetation to grow. Mining plans call <br />for protection of the wetlands by not mining coal under the drainage channels and the <br />adjacent wetlands. A small area of wetlands may be disturbed for access between the <br />south and north sides of the mining area. A Corps of Engineers permit will be acquired <br />to cover any wetlands disturbance. The permit will include provisions for replacing any <br />disturbed wetlands with wetlands elsewhere or for restoring disturbed wetlands in the <br />future. <br />Wildlife <br />The majority of the area being disturbed for mining is agricultural land and has not been <br />native habitat for wildlife since introduction of irrigation over 100 years ago. Wildlife <br />studies in the area have identified a variety of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians <br />that inhabit the area. Deer and elk occasionally use this area for grazing but there are no <br />major migratory routes across the permit area. The drainages and bodies of water in the <br />mining area are not large enough to support a fish population. There will be temporary <br />disruptions in the existing wildlife habitat during mining, but reclamation to similar <br />_ agricultural use will allow wildlife to return to this habitat in the future. <br />The Burrowing Owl is considered an endangered species in the State of Colorado. <br />Wildlife studies have identified the seasonal existence of this species in the area. The <br />k owl typically nests in existing burrows, such as prairie dog holes, and feeds in dryland <br />areas and short grass. A Burrowing Own Plan has been prepared as part of the Mining <br />and Reclamation Plan for the NHN Mine. The plan was developed in cooperation with <br />CDOW and generally restricts disturbance within 300 yards of identified prairie dog <br />towns during mating, nesting, and while the chicks are on the nest. To allow continued <br />operations while protecting the owl, the plan includes two options. One option is to <br />Page 12