2016-02-03_PERMIT FILE - C1981038 (6)

Home Browse Search

• U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE OFFICE OF ENDANGERID SPECIES 551 25 1/2 ROAD, B-113 GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO 81505 ~w, December 20, 1984 Ms. Kathleen G. Welt Environmental Specialist Colorado Westmoreland, Inc. P. 0. Box E Paonia, Colorado 81428 Dear Ms. Welt: We have reviewed your letter of December 7, 1984, requesting information relating to threatened and endangered species that may be impacted with the expanded development of the Colorado Westmoreland, Inc. (CWI) underground mine near Paonla, Colorado. We are furnishing you the following list of species which may occur within the area of influence of the proposed development: • Federally-listed Species Colorado squawfish Ptvchocheilus lucius Humpback chub Gila cvPha Bonytail chub Gila eleaans While the proposed activity is not directly located in areas currently occupied by any of the above fishes, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) believes that any depletion of water from the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB) may have negative impacts on these endangered fishes. Simply put, water that leaves the UCRB before reaching habitat areas for listed fishes may actually cause cumulative deterioration of downstream, occupied habitat. In this way, depletions are thought to contribute to the fishes' decline. Recent federal actions similar to this one have been reviewed by this office and have been found to involve depletions of water from the UCRB. Consequently, we believe that CWI should evaluate the mine operation and the federal action at hand and determine whether a net depletion of water will result. Consideration should be given to: 1) Evaporative losses in acre/feet from all project-related reservoirs (storage reservoirs, sediment ponds). • 2) Intake volumes and reservoir storage.