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Chapter IV <br /> 2. Wildlife. <br /> The Coal Basin mine plan area is located in the Gunnison and White River National <br /> Forests. Through the use of Forest Service expertise, Mid-Continent has implemented <br /> the following techniques to enhance wildlife habitat: <br /> — Reclaiming disturbed areas with seeds or plant material <br /> that will be suitable for wildlife grazing or cover. <br /> — Returning the disturbed areas to a condition that can be <br /> easily maintained and improved by the Forest Service. <br /> — Designing, constructing and reclaiming coal spoil and <br /> other refuse areas so that they can be used for grazing. <br /> — Minimizing the potential for poaching by adopting a <br /> company policy which prohibits the use or carrying of <br /> guns on the permit area. <br /> — Prohibiting hunting within the surface facility permit area. <br /> — Imposing a 25 mph speed limit on haul roads to reduce <br /> wildlife road kills. <br /> 3. Aquatic Life. <br /> Mid-Continent has adopted the following operating procedures to enhance the aquatic <br /> habitat in and adjacent to the surface facilities: <br /> — Monitoring water quality for compatability with aquatic <br /> life. <br /> — Erosion control structures (diversion ditches and <br /> sediment ponds) have been installed to minimize the <br /> effect of erosion and suspended solids on aquatic life. <br /> — Designed the preparation plant facility with a mostly <br /> closed system so as to minimize the consumptive use <br /> of the water and to limit discharges of water from the <br /> plant into existing streams. <br /> — Designed spoil and refuse piles according to standard <br /> engineering practices, and located to maintain a buffer <br /> zone between the piles and free flowing streams. <br /> 4 <br />