2013-04-05_REVISION - C1996083 (12)

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The Division agrees with the operator's conclusion that the proposed disturbed area is similar to the Lower Meadow Community that exists at the mine site and is shown on Map No. 3, "Vegetation." in the permit application package. A small area was disturbed in the Douglas fir vegetation community in the construction of the Freeman Gulch vent shaft. The lands disturbed in Permit Revision No. 6 were primarily pasture and hayland. In constructing certain sections of the railroad track, some areas close to wetlands were disturbed. BRL installed sediment control measures so that the wetlands were not disturbed. The construction of the B -seam portal bench and the associated excavated soil storage area, approved through PR -07, disturbed vegetation that is classified as being mixed shrubland. Fish and Wildlife Information - Detailed fish and wildlife information is presented within Section 2.04.11 of the Bowie No. 2 Mine permit application document. This summary is derived from the referenced permit document section. A detailed list of wildlife species known to occur within the Bowie No. 2 Mine permit area is presented in Volume 111, Exhibit 9 of the permit application document. The Bowie No. 2 Mine area is located in an area designated as critical range for deer and elk. The surrounding cliffs are possible nesting and/or roosting sites for all species of raptors. The Colorado Division of Wildlife and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service were both involved with the Bowie No. 2 Mine permit application review. Correspondence from both agencies regarding the proposed Bowie No. 2 Mine is contained within Volume III, Exhibit 9 of the Bowie No. 2 permit application document. Specific site surveys were conducted to ascertain the presence of and potential impacts on threatened or endangered wildlife species. The field surveys did not identify any such species, or predict any such impacts. Description of the Operation and Reclamation Plans Detailed information regarding the operation and reclamation plans for the Bowie No. 2 Mine is presented in Section 2.05 of the Bowie No. 2 Mine permit application document. Section 2.05 of the permit also contains numerous references to maps and other information related to the Bowie No. 2 Mine operations and reclamation plans, which are contained in various sections of the permit application document binders. The following summary is derived from the information presented in the Bowie No. 2 Mine permit application document. The Bowie No. 2 Mine is a coal mine, and the coal was originally extracted using the room and pillar mining method. Retreat mining of some of these sections has occurred. Approval of Permit Revision No. 3 allowed the mining method to change to longwall mining. Mining is currently being conducted only in the D -2 coal seam. The construction of a coal wash plant was approved in Technical Revision No. 27. Approval of Permit Revision No. 7 permitted the construction of support facilities in order to mine the B- 2 coal seam. The initial mine plan approval to mine the B -2 coal seam was obtained through Permit Revision No. 8. In Permit Revision No. 9, the B -2 coal seam mine plan was amended. A third panel was projected in the west section of the mine. The permit boundary was expanded to encompass the entire 12