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The most common game bird found in the permit and adjacent area is the mourning dove. In a few areas,
<br />the blue grouse may occur, but only at adjacent higher elevations.
<br />During breeding season, several species of raptors are found in the vicinity of the permit area. During the
<br />winter, the red -tail hawk and golden eagle have been commonly observed, and bald eagles may use the
<br />area along the North Fork of the Gunnison River.
<br />The North Fork of the Gunnison River begins at the confluence of Anthracite and Muddy Creeks,
<br />approximately 15 miles upstream form the permit area. The stream is classified as a fishery stream by the
<br />Colorado Division of Wildlife. Surveys assessing the condition of the aquatic environment show that the
<br />section of the stream above Paonia is in good condition. Fish species in the river vary within the location
<br />of the stream.
<br />During the adequacy review for Permit Renewal No. 5, the operator made an evaluation of the
<br />Threatened & Endangered Species, candidate species and their Delta County habitats for the Terror Creek
<br />Loadout site. As detailed in Section 2.04.11 Fish and Wildlife Resources Information of the permit
<br />application, nine species were identified from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service list of endangered,
<br />threatened, proposed and candidate species for Delta County. The nine species include the Canada lynx,
<br />black footed ferret, yellow billed cuckoo, Colorado pikeminnow, humpback chub, bonytail chub,
<br />razorback sucker, clay - loving wild buckwheat, and the Uinta Basin hookless cactus. In addition, the
<br />possible presence of bald eagles and golden eagles was examined. The evaluation found that only the bald
<br />eagle and golden eagle had suitable habitat in that area of the North Fork of the Gunnison River Valley
<br />and that both eagle species would only use the habitat for occasional seasonal foraging. The conclusion
<br />was that the Terror Creek Loadout site would not adversely affect these eleven species or their habitats.
<br />Description of the Operation and Reclamation Plan
<br />Facilities at the Terror Creek Loadout consist of a truck scale, raw, crushed, and sorted coal stockpiles,
<br />crushing and screening facilities, a train loadout facility, and an office, shop, bathhouse, and storage
<br />facilities. The anticipated annual coal tonnage handled at this facility will be up to 500,000 tons.
<br />Drainage and sedimentation control consists of a diversion ditch to direct undisturbed irrigation drainage
<br />and storm runoff around the site, a berm to prevent spillage of coal over the bench, and a sediment pond
<br />and dugout pond to retain disturbed drainage and allow for NPDES compliance prior to discharge.
<br />Sediment will be periodically removed from the sedimentation ponds to ensure proper functioning of the
<br />ponds. If needed, the sediment removed from the ponds will be placed in the sediment storage pile.
<br />Annually, during the summer months, a portion or all of the sediment pile will be spread over the site to
<br />improve drainage and to keep the size of the pile at approximately 1500 tons. Interim revegetation of
<br />road cuts, berms, and the topsoil stockpiles further minimize wind and water erosion.
<br />Raw coal from haulage trucks or from the raw coal stockpile is dumped into an enclosed, underground
<br />feeder. The coal is then conveyed to appropriate screens for size separation and crushed if necessary.
<br />The product coal is then either loaded directly into rail cars or placed in an appropriate stockpile for later
<br />loading. Product coal includes lump, stoker, and fines. Limited coal crushing is performed at the
<br />Loadout. Crushing, conveying and loadout operations are equipped with a water spray system to control
<br />dust.
<br />Final reclamation will entail removal of some facilities, grading to restore the site to approximate original
<br />contour, topsoil replacement, and seeding with adapted pasture grasses. Facilities to remain after
<br />reclamation include the office, garage, wooden building adjacent to the office, a portion of the paved haul
<br />road and all of the gravel access road. In the adequacy review for Permit Renewal No. 4, the operator
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