2011-09-27_PERMIT FILE - C1982056A ‎(3)‎

• Permit No: C1982056A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 9/27/2011
• Doc Name: Vent Shaft Wildlife Consultation
• Section_Exhibit Name: Exhibit 23C 15L Vent Shaft Wildlife Consultation
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

STATE OF COLORADO
John W. Hickenlooper, Governor,
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WILDLIFE
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER OF�'�
Thomas E. Remington, Director
6060 Broadway "��`� For Wildlife -
Denver, Colorado 80216
For People
Telephone: [phone]
wildlife. state. co. us
July 5, 2011
Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman Street, Room 215
Denver, Colorado 80203
And JUL 0 g 2011
Division cat mean'
Mr. Jerry Nettleton Wig srrd 80tety
Twentymile Coal Company
29515 Routt County Road 27
Oak Creek, CO 81639
RE: Wildlife Assessment
Sage Creek Mine Conveyor Corridor Geotechnical Investigation.
The Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife (CDPW) has appreciated the opportunity to meet with
Peabody Twenty Mile Mine and Sage Creek Mine personnel to preliminarily review the proposed Sage
Creek Mine Conveyor Project. The proposed conveyor system would bring coal from the new Sage
Creek Mine to the facilities at the Twenty Mile Mine (wash plant and rail loading). It is-our
understanding that the Conveyor corridor will be approximately 25 foot wide with a service road and
conveyor system. The conveyor system will be approximately 8 miles long. The preliminary step of
conducting the geotechnical investigations will consist of drilling approximately 35 to 40; 4 inch bore
_ holes to -a depth-of-10:730-feet.-The-test-holes-will-be- drilled using -an=all- ter - rain - vehicle - mounted - drill- r-ig --
and drill holes will be back filled with drill cuttings shortly after drilling is complete. This letter is a
wildlife assessment for the impacts of the geotechnical investigations only. Future wildlife assessments
should be requested for the conveyor system installation and operation.
A variety of wildlife species are expected to be found on the site including small mammals, a variety of
grass/ shrub land bird species, eagles, hawks, owls, mule deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, bear,
mountain lion, and coyotes. This area southeast of Hayden contains some of the highest quality
Columbian sharp - tailed grouse habitat in Colorado. This area also provides habitat for a locally
important Greater sage - grouse population. Both of these grouse species are considered species of
special concern in Colorado.
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Mike King, Executive Director
WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Tim Glenn, Chair • Robert Streeter, Vice Chair • Mark. Smith, Secretary
Members, David R. Brougham • Dorothea Farris • Allan Jones • Gaspar Perricone • John Singletary • Dean Wingfield
Ex Officio Members, Mike King and John Salazar