Section 9-3 - Environmental Baseline Information (a) The permit application shall include a general description of the land within the permit area, which shall include the following information: - (i) A description of the present land use(s) within the permit boundary;
- (ii) A map of vegetation types, range sites or ecological response units and a range site-range condition survey, or equivalent, on the proposed permit area, including a list of species and a ranking of their relative abundance in each vegetation type. The applicant shall submit labeled photographs to demonstrate each vegetation type and to document areas of sparse vegetation and any areas containing noxious weeds. Locations photographed shall be shown on the vegetation map;
- (iii) A description of any surface waters within the proposed permit area including estimated average flow rates, storage volume of any reservoirs and associated water rights within the permit area of any stream, reservoir, or lake. Depth to the groundwater within the mine area shall be stated, including a description of how the groundwater depth was determined;
- (iv) A soil map which identifies the soil types, sampling locations, and proposed salvage depths;
- (v) A report describing the soil types and their suitability for reclamation and depths and volume of suitable topsoil present on the proposed affected lands. Also, a description of the subsoil and/or overburden material existing between the topsoil and mineral seams;
- (vi) The applicant shall consult with both the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prior to submission of the permit application and shall address their recommendations relative to wildlife surveys, monitoring and mitigation in the mine permit application as required by State and Federal law. Copies of all correspondence to and from these agencies shall be included in the permit application. The Administrator shall also consult with both wildlife agencies during the review of the mine permit application to insure that their recommendations are addressed to the extent that they are within the scope of the Act; and
- (vii) A copy of the appropriate National Wetlands Inventory Map with the permit area and disturbance boundary delineated. If potential wetlands exist that will be disturbed or impacted by mine related activity, then the applicant shall perform a wetland delineation according to Army Corps of Engineers accepted procedures. If the proposed operation will avoid any impact to the potential wetland, either through direct disturbance or by affecting the watershed, then this should be clearly stated in the mine plan.