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Currently, there are 325 workers employed at the Coal Basin Mines. The <br /> company anticipates this workforce to remain relatively stable throughout <br /> the remaining life of the mines. <br /> A 'residential breakdown of employees is as follows: <br /> 1980 % of <br /> Community Population Employees <br /> Glenwood Springs 4,637 33% <br /> Basalt 529 33 <br /> Redstone 125 10 <br /> Newcastle 563 14 <br /> Other rural Gunnison/Pikin/ 19 <br /> Delta County <br /> The company operates a busing system for their employees which originates <br /> in Glenwood Springs and Basalt. Approximately 50% of the workforce <br /> utilizes the bus system. <br /> ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVE NO. 2 <br /> Topography <br /> The portal area has been classified as a steep slope mining area. <br /> Reclamation of the portal bench will be carried out by moving the bench <br /> material upslope against the highwall. The highwall will be eliminated, <br /> but the contoured graded surface will not meet approximate original <br /> contour standards. Because of a pre-existing mine bench that was causing <br /> severe stability problems it was determined that approximate original <br /> contours could not be accomplished and still have a stabilized slope. <br /> Approximately 12 miles of graveled haul roads connect the preparation plan <br /> with the five mines. There are also several miles of light use roads in <br /> the area and a four mile access road connecting Redstone to the <br /> preparation plants. The U.S. Forest Service has requested these roads be <br /> left in place for public access and U.S.F.S. management. <br /> Land Use <br /> The pre-mining land uses of the permit and adjacent areas were wildlife <br /> habitat, rangeland, and recreation. The wildlife population of Coal Basin <br /> is diverse. Use of the area by wildlife has continued in conjunction with <br /> the mining operation, although some disturbance to species particularly <br /> sensitive to human activity may have occurred. Use is largely confined to <br /> the summer months due to the heavy snows and prolonged winter season which <br /> characterize Coal basin. <br /> The post-mining land uses proposed by the applicant for this permit term <br /> are rangeland, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreation. A 'Large amount <br /> of the area disturbed by mining operations is planned to be retained as <br /> part of an alternate post-mining land use to be considered for approval <br /> near the end of the 40-year mining program. The applicant proposes to use <br /> -7-- <br />