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<br /> The growing season is short. In the preparation plant area, the growing
<br /> season extends from May through September (170 days) , with about 90
<br /> frost-free days. At the mine portals all above 10,000 feet in elevation,
<br /> the growing season extends from mid-ylay through mid-September (130 days)
<br /> with only 60 frost-free days.
<br /> Vegetation zones within Coal Basin include lower montane, upper montane,
<br /> subalpine, and alpine. Vegetation units identified within and adjacent
<br /> to the permit area include aspen woodland, aspen shrubland, spruce-fir
<br /> parkland, spruce-fir forest, oak shrubland, thurber fescue meadow, alpine
<br /> fellfield, alpine meadow, riparian woodland, and ponderosa pine
<br /> woodland. The three major vegetation types within the disturbed area are
<br /> aspen woodland, aspen shrubland, and spruce-fir parkland.
<br /> The aspen woodland vegetation type occurs primarily on the crests, and
<br /> flanks of east-west ridges and along drainages. The aspen shrubland
<br /> vegetation type occurs on south-facing slopes along the Coal Creek
<br /> drainage and near the prep plant. The spruci-fir ;�arlO too ieg?tatir)11
<br /> type occurs primarily on the cool north-facing slopes and along
<br /> ridgelines.
<br /> The wildlife population of Coal Basin is diverse. The west and south
<br /> slopes of Huntsman Ridge, which overlies the underground workings, are
<br /> summer habitat for deer, elk, and small game species. The high elevation
<br /> precludes use of Coal Basin for big game winter habitat.
<br /> Wildlife common to the area iriclude elk, deer, black bear, mountain lion,
<br /> longtail weasel, porcupine, coyote, bobcat, pine marten, yellow bellied
<br /> marmot, chipmunk, pine squirrel , and snowshoe hare. Raptors and birds
<br /> include goshawk, red tailed hawk, gray jay, white crowned sparrows,
<br /> blackcapped chickadees, pine grosbeaks, tree swallows, Williamson's
<br /> sapsucker, and robins. No threatened or endangered species inhabit Coal
<br /> 3asin, although wild turkey and mountain goat have been sighted.
<br /> Mining and Reclamation Plan
<br /> Mid-Continent operates the highest and deepest underground, coal mines in
<br /> North America. Mine portals are located at elevations above 10,000 feet
<br /> and the depth of workings extend to 3,000 feet below the ground surface.
<br /> Mining conditions are difficult and adverse due to the 10-15 degree dip
<br /> of the coal seams, the ixtremr� depth of tne seams, numerous geological
<br /> faults throughout the area and the existence of large amounts of methane
<br /> gas. -
<br /> The Coal Basin operations include five adjacent underground mines. All r t.�
<br /> are drift mines, driven from the outcrop down-dip through the western ( W'
<br /> flank of Coal Basin and under Huntsman Ridge. These mines are
<br /> interconnected underground and actually maKe up one mine complex with
<br /> five entries. When the rock tunnel is completed i , all coal
<br /> from both minable seams will be wrought to the surface throuo_h one oore
<br /> of the tunnel . At that time, the Coal 3asin operation will , in fact, oe
<br /> a single mine.
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