2011-01-13_REVISION - C1981038 (8)

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extremities of the Bowie No. 1 Mine permit area are bounded closely by the East and West Roatcap Creek drainage divide, and the northern boundary is located at approximately the Morrell Cow Camp area. The coal loadout facilities are located approximately one mile northeast of Paonia along State Highway No. 133. The general area of the mine is characterized by a semi-arid environment of steeply sloping mountains. Both the main mine portal facilities (East Mine) and the loadout were constructed in the 1970's, prior to the passage of the Colorado Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Act (SMCRA). The West Mine facilities were built in late 1986 and early 1987. Land Use - Rules 2.04.3, 2.05.5, 4.16 The discussion of land use may be found in Volume 1 on pages 1 to 10 of Section 2.04.3 and pages 80 to 83 of Section 2.05.5. A land use appendix is located in Volume 9, along with Map No. 9-1, "Land Use Information Map." The permit area can be divided into two general land use categories. The loadout is within an area historically used as cropland or, more specifically, orchard land. The permit area north of Highway 133 is used as short-term grazing and wildlife habitat. Grazing tends to be short term due to the low productivity of the pinon juniper and oakbrush vegetation. Some recreational use, hunting and hiking in particular, occurs within the mine area. There are also a few summer homes, cow camps, and even a restaurant that has been used intermittently. The pre-mining land use classifications on the area are: (1) grazing land for domestic livestock and wildlife, (2) orchard land in the area of the loadout facilities, and (3) previous mine disturbances. After mining, BRL plans to return the land to the pre-mining land uses of grazing for livestock and wildlife for the mine sites, and orchard land for the loadout facilities. The permit revision will not change the previously approved post-mining land uses. Cultural and Historic Resources - Rules 2.04.4, 2.05.6(4) Cultural, historic, and archaeological studies have been conducted over the life of mine and adjacent areas in April and May of 1977, August 1980, August 1981, July 1982, May and September of 1984, and July 1986. The methodology and results of these surveys are set forth in detail in the Archaeological Appendix in Volume 9B. The State Historical Preservation Officer reviewed the 1983 application/permit revision and the 1986 permit revision and has determined that there are no sites within the permit area currently listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Surveys classified seven of these sites as eligible for the National Register pending further investigation. None of the seven is going to be disturbed by development activities, and none will be undermined. The Roatcap Game Trail Site (5DT 271) was excavated in late 1986 to ensure that increased access in the East Roatcap drainage would not result in vandalism. Several of the other sites have a very limited potential for subsidence damage, as they are found on the margins of the angle of draw. Climatological Information and Air Resources - Rules 2.04.8, 2.05.4(2)(h), 2.05.6(1), 4.17 Climatological documentation is presented on pages 58-66, Section 2.04 of Volume 1 and in the Climatology and Wind Direction Appendix, Volume 9. BRL has also provided copies of all emissions permits from the Colorado Department of Health in Volume 9. Evaporation pan monitoring data are summarized in the Annual Hydrology Reports. Climatological data for the North Fork region is available from Paonia, three (3) miles due south and 1,500 feet lower in elevation than the mine site. The average 11