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disturbance footprint. Survey data from 2007 identified one Coopers Hawk and one Long-Eared <br />Owl active nest site. Another survey is scheduled to be conducted in 2011 to identify any <br />additional nesting locations and activity status of the nest sites previously identified. The results <br />of this work will be incorporated into the management strategy. In order to eliminate the <br />potential for incidental take of raptor species in areas scheduled for disturbance, nests will be <br />removed prior to the nesting season and potential alternate nesting locations including trees will <br />be felled to ensure no nesting activity occurs in the area scheduled for disturbance. There has <br />never been any identified bald eagle or golden eagle nesting activity in the vicinity of the Collom <br />Expansion Area disturbance footprint. Applicable requirements for facility/structure/power line <br />construction have been incorporated into Colowyo's existing permit and will be applicable to the <br />activities undertaken in the Collom Expansion Area. Language specific to raptor protection will <br />be incorporated into construction contracts during infrastructure development. Specific raptor <br />mitigation efforts will also be undertaken to ensure Colowyo does not inadvertently create man- <br />made raptor perch locations that could facilitate additional predation on greater sage-grouse <br />populations in the area. <br />Due to the configuration and location of the disturbance primarily within the hydrologic control <br />of the Little Collom Drainage, impacts to surface waters from mining disturbance are expected to <br />be very limited. In addition, Colowyo's overburden is very benign and non-reactive. Ground <br />water resources are expected to be minimally affected by mining activities in the Collom <br />Expansion area as well. Currently no special handling requirements for movement of <br />overburden are anticipated. <br />As the technical adequacy process is progressing, several updates to the maps and materials <br />originally submitted have occurred and more are to be expected. Colowyo is currently in the <br />process of answering the second round of technical adequacy comments received from CDRMS. <br />Colowyo has included an unlabeled map identifying the areas no longer targeted for disturbance, <br />in addition to Map 23B (Mine Plan Map), Map 46 (Collom Area Reclamation Plan Map), Map <br />4C (Vegetation Map), the 2008 Wildlife Monitoring Report (also contains information from the <br />2006 and 2007 surveys), Table 2.05-7, Table 2.05-8 and Table 2.05-9 (Reclamation Seed Mix <br />Tables). Hopefully these materials will be helpful. Once again, these materials are being <br />updated at this time, they do not reflect all of the changes discussed but should provide beneficial <br />information. <br />This letter and the attached materials should adequately address your concerns. Please feel free <br />to contact me if you have additional questions/concerns. <br />Sincerely, <br />t <br />Kurtis R. Blunt <br />Environmental Supervisor <br />cc: File <br />Colowyo Mine C-1981-019 page 5 of 5 4 May 2011 <br />Permit Revision 03 - Collom Permit Expansion