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-11 - <br /> The grazing use of the permit arna includes cattle grazing in Coal ^asin <br /> and sheep grazing in the area oeyond Huntsman Ridge. Range condition ; <br /> have been good in Coal Basin, except for areas of high natural erosion <br /> and some small over-grazed areas dating to the early 1940' s. <br /> Coal Basin has been used as a recreational area since mining began in <br /> 1900. Coal Basin and the permit area are within an area of scenic <br /> beauty, characterized by rugged mountain terrain, streams, and forests. <br /> Presently, as a safety measure, Mid-Continent restricts access to mine <br /> facilities and roads and does not allow hunting. <br /> Other environmental resources which exist within the permit and adjacent <br /> areas are timber-and eater resources. Asp-�n and conifer stands are found <br /> in Coal Basin. However, the timber resources of Coal Basin exhibit no <br /> commercial potential due to slope and accessibility problems. <br /> Surface run.)ff from the mine plan area contributes to the Colorado River <br /> drainage system, and some recharge of ground water ,aquifers occrirs within <br /> the area. There is very little development of the water resources, ,rim <br /> the exception of small stockponds and pater supply wells. <br /> The post-mining land uses proposed by the applicant are rangeland, fi ,1 <br /> +� and wildlife habitat, and recreation. A large amount of the area t , <br /> disturbed by mining operations is planned to be retained as part of an S N <br /> alternate post-mining land use (see Table VI-0-5) to be considered for J <br /> approval near the end of the 40-year mining program. The applicant Q <br /> proposes to use a portion of the disturbed area to facilitate <br /> S cons of a ski area. The majority of the area needed for the ski <br /> c <br /> area is presently undisturbed by the mining operations. More information <br /> 'on the ski area can be found in ttie ski area concept study by Paul Hauk <br /> in Appendix VI-0-1 of Volume J of the application. <br /> Since the applicant plans to reclaim the disturbed areas to a post-mining <br /> land use of rangeland, wildlife habitat, and recreation .ihicii are <br /> consistent with the pre-mining land use, the Division finds that all the <br /> requirements of 4.16 are rTiet. <br /> The proposed operation is in compliance with the requirements of this <br /> section. <br /> Iii. ;;,rlr_;iral and Historic Resources - Rules 2.04.4 and 2.05. 6(4) <br /> The cultural and hi3t)ric resources information in Section III-d of <br /> Volume a of ne application 4.is checkefi For' compliance �aith the <br /> appropriate requirements. <br /> The Colorado Historical Preservation Office has determined rhat there are <br /> no known archaeological ,r historical resources in the Coal Basin min:_, <br /> plan area. A search of the Colorado Archae,,logical Site inventory and <br /> the Colorado Inventory of Historic Sites, as well as records of <br /> nominations pending or on the Natlonal �e,list?r ,f Historic ?laces -or <br /> ,cwnsnips 9 and 10 South, :Ranges 39 and 90 .,crest 1,which encompass <br /> entire .gal 3asin '+ine ?Ian area) revealec ,no:4n Lis. <br />