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Initially the coal refuse is wet and therefore not dusty. However, watering may be necessary once it <br />has dried and subjected to equipment activity. Dust from topsoil piles is controlled by vegetative <br />cover. Watering may be used during soil removal and replacement if dry conditions warrant. <br />Alternatives to the coal handling methods described in the permit application were totally enclosing, <br />or not enclosing and using water spray, on the rotary breaker, conveyors, and transfer points. <br />Totally enclosing these facilities provides close to 100 percent control. Using water spray on the <br />unenclosed facilities would have provided only 50 percent control for fugitive emissions. <br />Coal is transferred from the mine to the power plant by a combination of overland conveyor and <br />electric railroad. <br />IV.M Fish and Wildlife Plan <br />W.M.1 Big Game Migration A big game migration study was conducted in the mine permit area. <br />Mule deer and pronghorn observations were made via aerial reconnaissance from October 1980 <br />through April or May 1981. The main objectives of the study were 1) determine the timing of fall and <br />spring migratory movements; 2) estimate the spatial and temporal variation in population sizes; and <br />3) identify important areas, such as major crossings. Appropriate mitigation measures were then <br />developed in regard to potential coal transportation system impacts. <br />IV.M.2 Threatened and Endangered Species The habitats for threatened and endangered <br />species and those of unusually high value are of concern to BME. Consequently, the biological <br />consultants were directed to sample all recognizable habitat types over the area of potential <br />perturbation. This was done and was reported. The vertebrate species are listed, categorized and <br />populations estimated by habitat type in Section II.H of the permit. Additionally, the habitats <br />supporting the greatest number of terrestrial vertebrates are also identified in the same section. <br />There are no vegetative communities (habitats) present in the area of potential impact due to <br />construction and operation of the coal mine and its associated facilities that are considered critical to <br />the continued existence and stability of the population of any vertebrate species. No threatened or <br />endangered species of terrestrial vertebrate were found. Extensive spotlighting searches for black - <br />footed ferrets (BFF), in relation to the Deserado Mine, helped support a determination of their none <br />existence in the area, enabling a reintroduction to take place in the Wolf Creek Basin. <br />On November 15, 2001 Coyote Basin and Wolf Creek became the first release sites of black- footed <br />ferrets in Colorado. The release is part of the BFF recovery plan to establish viable populations of <br />BFF. These BFF received the designation of "Nonessential Experimental Population ". Such <br />Minor Revision #147 (05/2011) IV -4 5 <br />