8139

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8139
• Author: McAda, C., C. Philips, C. R. Berry and R. S. Wydoski.
• Title: A Survey of Threatened and Endangered Fish in Southeastern Utah Streams.
• USFW Year: n.d.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

which studies, analyses and recommendations are made. After the lease
sites have been selected, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is
prepared if deemed necessary, and lease development stipulations are
formulated. 1
An important aspect of the nomination and impact assessment process
is the definition of critical fish and wildlife habitats. The Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-205), the National Environmental Policy Act
(P.L. 91-190) and the Wildlife Coordination Act (P.L. 85-624) require
that wildlife values be considered. The goal of this investigation was '
to determine the distribution and abundance of fish in the coal-lease
lands. Investigative emphasis was placed on threatened or endangered
species, of which there are six, in the coal-lease area. A review of '
potential impacts of coal mining on the aquatic habitat and biota was
also conducted.
STUDY AREA
This study encompasses not only the NRL but also regions that would be '
affected by mining in the NRL (Figure 1). The area starts at the northern '
border of Carbon County and goes diagonally across the state to the Arizona
border. The eastern border roughly follows the Green and Colorado Rivers '
across the state, while the western border is the Wasatch Mountains which '
form the western limits of the Colorado River Drainage Basin.
There are six major rivers draining the Coal Lease Units: Price, San '
Rafael, Dirty Devil, Escalante, Paria and Virgin Rivers. Most of the streams
experience drastic fluctuations in flow throughout the year. The larger ,
rivers are typically turbid and carry high sediment loads. Hardness and
1