2010-12-17_REVISION - C1981019 (102)

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RULE 2 PERMITS 2.04.3 Land Use Information # The predominant land use type identified in the Collom permit expansion area is jointly Rangeland/Fish and Wildlife Habitat (Map 17). A minimal area outside of proposed disturbance boundaries has been characterized as pastureland. Map 17 serves to identify both the pre and post -mine land use designations. Colowyo is focused on re- establishment of the joint land use of Rangeland/Fish and Wildlife Habitat post- mining. Present and potential production of this land use based on soil types found within are discussed in section 2.04.9 Soil Resource Information. As defined by Rule 1.04(71)(c), the land use category `Rangeland' is defined as "land on which plant cover is principally valuable for forage. Except for brush control, management is primarily achieved by regulating the intensity of grazing and season of use." As defined by Rule 1.04(71)(h), the land use category `Fish and Wildlife Habitat' is defined as "land used wholly or partially in the production, protection or management of species of fish or wildlife." Grazingland and Wildlife Habitat have been the primary historical uses of the areas identified for disturbance and Colowyo as the majority landowner (exception of state and BLM land) wishes to maintain this dual purpose use post - reclamation/bond release. Vegetation types within this land use category are not dependent on human - induced influence for long- term maintenance. Ecological principles are often manipulated through altering the intensity, frequency, and seasonality of grazing. Other management techniques applied may include brush control and weed control. The proposed post -mine land use for the Collom permit expansion area will be rangeland condition capable of supporting a diversity of wildlife with targeted areas (based primarily on hydrological stability) Is for grazingland and sagebrush steppe (sagegrouse habitat) areas as described in 2.05.4. Colowyo Technical Revision 72 was approved in 2009, the rangeland category for post -mine land use was refined into two subcategories defined by post- mining topography (slope) and site - specific suitability for either livestock or wildlife. The principles set forth in the revised reclamation plan have been applied to the Collom reclamation plan and bond release citeria (Section 2.05.4 and 4.15). As described in Section 2.04.11, the Collom area supports substantial populations of deer, elk, sage grouse, non -game birds, raptors, and numerous other wildlife species. Limited pasturelands are found within the proposed permit area but are not currently targeted for disturbance. These pasturelands have been historically grazed by livestock, especially sheep and cattle, during the spring, summer, and fall. Reclaimed minelands are now becoming an increasingly important land use component within the existing permit area. Substantial acreage of this type is now available for use by local wildlife populations and will become increasingly important as mining continues. These reclaimed areas are becoming the habitat of choice for local deer and elk populations during the fall and spring months and winter months when snow cover is not a limiting factor. Land Condition Capability and Productivity The present condition of the permit area can be described as good to fair for rangeland conditions. A trend toward improvement has taken place over much of the area due to reduced livestock grazing since the land was obtained by Colowyo. Grazing has not been allowed within the initial Colowyo permit area since fences were constructed in 1977 and will not be allowed in the additional permit area until final bond release is achieved. Collom — Rule 2, Page 18 Revision Date: 1/23/09 Revision No.: PR -03