2010-12-17_REVISION - C1981019 (108)

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RUL 2 PERMITS �, �!�ci,pir:"I, �.rY, ". � ��.i� &•�:�,�uui kvz!" e + e�rM,...«.. , _."�t� :`G ��,'�°:},q -" -- .> �- : .. Steps to be taken to comply with the Clean Water Act and other applicable water quality laws and regulations and health and safety standards include a comprehensive drainage and sediment control plan described in Section 2.05.3 and Sections 4.05.1 through 4.05.18. With respect to compliance with the Clean Water Act, Colowyo has a discharge permit from the Colorado State Department of Health under the National Pollutant and Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) that will include all new discharge structures constructed for the Collom area expansion. Compliance with this permit will serve to effect compliance with the Clean Water Act and the Colorado Water Quality Control Act. Colowyo, likewise, operates under several emission permits from the Colorado Department of Health, Air Pollution Control Division. Fugitive dust control measures will be employed as an integral part of the mining and reclamation operations. Colowyo conducts air quality monitoring at the site in accordance with the requirements of emission permits approved by the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division. Details of pollution control measures are discussed in section 2.05.6. 2.05.5 Post - Mining Land Uses Historically, the Collom area has been managed utilizing the principles of multiple -use and can be most accurately described as Rangeland /Fish and Wildlife Habitat. 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. The land management staff of Colowyo, the BLM and the Colorado State Land Board fully support Colowyo's approach to the re- establishment and enhancement of multiple -use Rangeland/Fish and Wildlife Habitat focused on improved range condition and the creation of wildlife habitat specific to sagegrouse brood - rearing. Copies of the correspondence confirming these views have been included in this package and are identified as Figures 2.05.5 -1, 2.05.5 -2 and 2.05.5 -3 respectively. Much of the lower portions of the Collom area receive light to moderate grazing pressure primarily from cattle but also some use by sheep herds. These lower elevations also provide seasonal transition (migratory) habitat for big game, but more importantly offer breeding and brooding habitat to indigenous sage grouse and sharp - tailed grouse populations. The higher elevations receive slight to light grazing pressure from cattle, but more typically light to moderate grazing pressure from sheep herds. These higher elevations also provide Spring and Summer habitat for big game, especially local elk herds (Exhibit 10 Item 6). Based on site - specific observations, water source distribution, occupied habitats, forage availability, land forms, distribution of vegetation communities, and similar landscape features and ecological characteristics, the split between the dominant land use sub - components would appear to be 80 -90% livestock and 10 -20% wildlife (Exhibit 10 Item 6). It is suspected that the economic impact of these two land -use sub - components would also reflect this approximate split. As these subcomponents are not exclusive (areas utilized by livestock for grazing also serve as wildlife habitat and vice - versa) the overall goal is to promote the use of seed mixes that provide benefits for both land uses. In recent years, much of the Collom area, especially western portions, has been managed under the Morgan Creek Ranching for Wildlife program, where livestock grazing utilization levels and timing have been modified to increase the quality and quantity of resident deer and elk populations for hunting. This program has also included the development of watering sources (stock tanks) and prescribed burns aimed at reducing the extent of over mature sagebrush stands and introducing a mosaic of young sagebrush and grassland communities. Given this active management for wildlife, it can be hypothesized that the split between land use sub- Collom — Rule 2, Page 117 Revision Date: 1/23/09 Revision No.: PR -03