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-50- <br /> Wildlife habitat will be improved by the completion of the rock tunnel project <br /> which will result in sharply decreased use of the present haul roads. When <br /> restricted to light use, the roads should then serve as access corridors for <br /> the wildlife, allowing them to range with greater ease throughout the basin. <br /> The reduced use of the roads will also lessen the potential for impacts on <br /> sensitive species. <br /> Measures proposed by the applicant to mitigate effects on wildlife include <br /> reclaiming disturbed areas with plant materials that are suitable for wildlife <br /> grazing or cover, prohibiting hunting within the surface facilities area, and <br /> a 25 mph speed limit to reduce wildlife road kills. <br /> Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(n) and on the basis of available information, the <br /> Division finds that the proposed activities will not affect the continued <br /> existence of endangered or threatened wildlife species or result in the <br /> destruction or adverse modification of their critical habitats. <br /> The proposed operation is in compliance with all applicable wildlife <br /> requirements. <br /> XIII . Prime Farmlands - Rules 2.04.12, 2.06.6 and 4.25 <br /> The Division has made a negative determination on the presence of prime <br /> farmlands within the proposed permit area. The decision was based on the <br /> evidence provided by the Soil Conservation Service that there are no prime <br /> farmlands within the proposed permit area because of short growing seasons and <br /> cool temperatures. This evidence can be found in Section III-J of Volume 6 of <br /> the application. <br /> The Division, therefore, finds the operation in compliance with Rule <br /> 2.07.6(2)(k) with respect to prime farmlands. <br /> XIV. Operations Description - Rules 2.05.2, 2.05.3(1) , 2.05.3(2) and 4.01 <br /> The operations plan in Chapter II, Volumes 1 , 2, and 3 of the application has <br /> been reviewed for compliance by the Division. <br /> The Coal Basin operations include five adjacent underground mines. All are <br /> drift mines, driven from the outcrop down-dip through the western flank of <br /> Coal Basin and under Huntsman Ridge. These mines are interconnected <br /> underground and actually make up one mine complex with five entries. When the <br /> rock tunnel is completed in about 1984, all coal from both minable seams will <br /> be brought to the surface through one bore of the tunnel . At that time, the <br /> Coal Basin operation will , in fact, be a single mine. <br /> The present mines or entries, from north to south, are: <br /> Coal Basin (No. 5) Mine <br /> L.S. Wood (No. 3) Mine <br /> Dutch Creek (No. 2) Mine <br /> Dutch Creek (No. 1) Mine <br /> Bear Creek (No. 4) Mine <br />