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y ~ <br />l <br />MOUNT~iN CQ~L <br />~"p ~COMPA~11~.~. <br />A Subsidiary of Arch Western Resources, LLC <br />June 22, 2005 <br />RECEIVED <br />JUN 2 7 2005 <br />pivis~on of Minerals and Geology <br />West Elk Mine <br />P O Boz 59l <br />5174 Highway 133 <br />Somerset, CO 81434 <br />(970)929-5015 <br />Fax (970) 929.5595 <br />Mr. Levi Broyles, District Ranger <br />US Forest Service <br />Grand Mesa, Uncompaghre and Gunnison National Forests, Paonia Ranger District <br />P. o. Box 1030 <br />Paonia,-CO 81428 <br />RE: Mountain Coal Company L.L.C., West Elk Mine; Permit C-80-007, Minor Revision No. 306, <br />(MR-306), Annual Operating Plan for Methane Degas Wells; Wildlife Habitat Evaluation and <br />Inventory for Threatened and Endangered, Sensitive and Management Indicator Species. <br />Deaz Mr. Broyles: <br />Mountain Coal Company, L.L.C. (MCC) submits the enclosed Wildlife Habitat Evaluation and <br />Inventory for Threatened and Endangered, Sensitive and Management Indicator Species. This document <br />pertains to the Coal Methane Drainage Project, Box Canyon-West Flatiron project proposed in the 2005 <br />Annual Operaing Plan {AOP) for Methane Drainage Wells. On May 13, 2005 the USFS approved the <br />2005 AOP with the condition that this survey be performed. The enclosed report is intended to satisfy <br />that condition of approval. <br />The enclosed Wildlife Habitat Evaluations and Inventory for Threatened and Endangered, Sensitive and <br />Management Indicator Species report prepared by Michael Wazd Outdoors and Monarch & Associates <br />indicates that "No Federally-listed or State-listed Threatened and Endangered Species that could <br />potentially occur within this portion of the Gunnison National Forest would be adversely impacted by <br />construction of drill site locations and access roads because little or no suitable habitat would be <br />affected. The only Management Indicator Species observed were red-naped sapsuckers and elk. <br />Sapsuckers were commonly observed in aspen stands and elk, or evidence of their presence, were always <br />observed throughout the project azea." <br />The report further concludes "There aze no Endangered or Threatened plant species known to occur in <br />the project azea." <br />We appreciate your consideration and cazeful review of this submittal and, as always, would be happy to <br />work with you to address any questions or concerns that arise. <br />Since ly, l~~\~"'v`~- <br />~' <br />Henry Barbe <br />Environmental Engineer <br />cc: Gene DiClaudio <br />