2010-12-17_REVISION - C1981019 (108)

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RULE 2 PERMITS restoration practices and minimize disturbances to fish and wildlife. As discussed in this revision the Collom Mining area should not impact any species currently listed as threatened or endangered. Big game animals endemic to this area utilize habitat regionally and reclamation efforts will not target them specifically as multiple off -site habitat improvement initiatives are on -going in cooperation with CDOW to improve big game animal habitat. As impacts to sagegrouse habitat are going to be an area of high interest for the foreseeable future, it is prudent and appropriate to manage reclamation activities to mitigate impacts to this species specifically, if not exclusively. Efforts to increase the diversity and forage productivity of reclamation units in both the existing operation and Collom area should provide a great benefit to all species impacted by by the physical disturbance of mining related activites. Livestock grazing and hunting activities will be reinitiated after full bond release has been granted in the future. These tools will assist in further development of an already diverse reclamation landscape post- mining. Impacts of Mining Operations on Wildlife Resources Within the Mine Plan Area Several short term negative impacts to wildlife are to be expected in the Collom expansion area. Removal of vegetation communities and habitats will be the most direct impact, resulting in a reduction of forage and cover. Non - mobile species will be destroyed in localized areas as vegetation and topsoil are removed. Mobile species will be temporarily displaced until mined areas are reclaimed. As the mine progresses, some changes in topography will occur through the removal of vegetation, rock outcroppings, draws, etc. which form natural shelters. Disturbance of soils will affect soil profiles, micro - climate, and other soil properties. The backfilling and grading as required in Section 4.14.2 will assure that topographic features and 0 drainage patterns will be returned to approved post mine topography. Wildlife species inhabiting the permit area that have the most potential for being affected include deer, elk, sage grouse, and raptors. However, experience to date has shown that all of these species have adapted to the presence of Colowyo's current operation, resulting in minimal direct impact. Most of the mitigation measures, protection measures, and habitat improvement techniques are directed toward this wildlife group. Disturbance area planning has focused on minimizing impacts to fish and wildlife in the proposed Collom mining area. Where possible high value habitat such as raptor nesting locations and sage - grouse (and sharptail grouse) leks have been avoided. Please refer to Map 46 (Collom Area Reclamation Plan Map) for a quick overview of the locations either directly impacted (or that will likely be impacted) by proposed disturbance in the Collom area, in addition to the proposed locations of stockponds that will provide habitat enhancement value on the reclaimed surface post- mining. These stockponds are defined as "small impoundments" as per Section 2.05.9 which describes the currently approved general construction guidelines /limitations, inspection frequency and maintenance plans for these structures. Pre- planning for a minimum amount of annual disturbance, establishment of beneficial herbaceous species, replacement of native shrub species, and habitat enhancement techniques (variable topsoil depth replacement, small stockponds, etc.) are the most important methods for minimizing long -term impacts to wildlife. The end product of Colowyo's reclamation plan should be the creation of an area that exhibits a net positive value for wildlife habitat (especially for sagegrouse) and livestock grazing in the future. Range and Wildlife Management Programs 0 Data collected during pre -mine studies during 1974 - 1976 indicated overuse by cattle, deer, and elk. A majority of the browse species (serviceberry, oak, snowberry, bitterbrush, sage, chokecherry) showed Collom — Rule 2, Page 122 Revision Date: 1/23/09 Revision No.: PR -03