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Alamosa, Colorado area (Drewien, 1980); however, none have been identified near the mine <br />site. The presence of a whooping crane on the mine site would be a highly unusual occurrence. <br />3.7.6.3 Fish <br />Although no recent records of threatened or endangered fish species have been recorded in <br />the mine permit area, concern has arisen as to potential impact due to water depletions <br />downstream in the Colorado River basin where these species are known to exist. Historic use <br />of water on the NCIG site has been 395 acre-feet for irrigation purposes diverted from Canyon <br />Creek. The Operator pumped some water directly from the Colorado River for the mine <br />operation (Table 4.3-3); however, the net consumptive use is quite small. Consumption of <br />water at the reclaimed mine is the total of the consumptive use of the irrigated alfalfa field and <br />the evaporative loss from the sediment pond. The dead storage in the sediment pond totals <br />0.66 acres. The evaporative loss from the pond totals approximately 1.8 acre feet per year <br />based on an evaporative loss of 33 inches per year (Plate 4. supplied by the Division of Water <br />Resources). According to data published by the NRCS, Alfalfa consumes 30.56 inches per <br />year in the Glenwood Springs area. Since the operator is irrigating approximately 14.8 acres, <br />approximately 37.7 acre feet per year are consumed (14.8 x 30.56 _ 12). The total <br />consumptive use at the mine totals 39.5 acre feet per year (1.8 + 37.7). <br />A Biological Opining dated February 7, 1985 is presented in Appendix 3.7-2. This document <br />estimated the net average consumptive use of water by the hydraulic mining operation to be <br />356 acre-feet per year. Therefore, based on the relatively small consumptive use at the <br />reclaimed mine, an additional Section 7 consultation should not be required. <br />Colorado River Cutthroat Trout (Salmo clarki oleuriticus). State Threatened Species and <br />Federal Candidate Species. This fish is presently known to occupy Cunningham Creek, a <br />tributary of the Frying Pan River, in Pitkin County and Northwater Creek, a tributary of <br />Parachute Creek, in Gartield County. Specific habitat requirements are streams with moderate <br />gradient, abundant riparian vegetation and rocky to gravelly substrates. Cover such as <br />undercut banks, overhanging vegetation and in-stream boulders are important. Minimum water <br />depth should be 6 feet. Neither Alkali and South Canyon Creeks nor the reaches of the <br />Colorado River in the area of proposed facilities meet these requirements. <br />Razorback Sucker (Xvrauchen texanusl. State Threatened Species and Federal Candidate <br />Species. The razorback presently occupies the Yampa, Colorado, and Gunnison Rivers. It <br />prefers soft substrates, warmer water and backwaters and has no particular, vegetation <br />requirements. <br />• <br />NCIG • Coal Rltlpe N1 3-93 11/01 <br />