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

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J. E. Stover & Associates, Inc December 1, 2015 Page 11 River Otter. Mapped winter range for river otter occurs in the south part of the mine permit boundary in the area of Black Bridge Road/the old mine loadout and the railway crossing of the North Fork River (Figure 5). Non -breeding river otters likely occupy the North Fork River corridor in very low-density in the vicinity of mine facilities. Little mine -related activity is taking place near the river corridor, and reclamation activities, such as bridge removal, would be short-term in duration. Based on this information, continued activities under Bowie No. 1 Mine Permit No. C-1981-038 are not likely to adversely affect river otter. Colorado River Basin Endangered Fishes. The mine permit boundary does not lie within the ranges of the endangered Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker, humpback chub, and bonytail. Based on previously issued biological opinions that all depletions within the Upper Colorado River Basin may adversely affect the four fishes, it is expected that continued activity (water consumption from sediment ponds) under Bowie No. 1 Mine Permit No. C-1981-038 may affect, and is likely to adversely affect the Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker, humpback chub, and bonytail. No increases in consumptive water use are currently planned. Colorado River Basin Endangered Fishes Critical Habitat. Based on the current water consumption estimate for Bowie No. 1 Mine resulting in an average annual depletion of 5.28 acre-feet from the Colorado River Basin, the continuation of activities under the Bowie No. 1 Mine permit may affect, and is likely to adversely affect the designated critical habitat of the Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker, humpback chub, and bonytail. The mine's present level of consumptive water use was previously addressed in formal Section 7 consultations between the Department of Interior Office of Surface Mining and the USFWS. No increases in consumptive water use are currently planned. Greenback Cutthroat Trout. The greenback cutthroat trout does not occur within the mine permit boundary, but portions of the mine permit boundary lie within the Terror Creek watershed (Figure 3), which is occupied by greenback cutthroat trout. Surface -disturbing activities with the potential to cause sedimentation or diminish water quality in Terror Creek or its tributaries could adversely affect greenback cutthroat trout. However, no areas of permitted surface disturbance lie within the Terror Creek watershed in the mine permit boundary. Based on this information, it is expected that continued activities under Bowie No. 1 Mine Permit No. C-1981-038 will have no effect on greenback cutthroat trout, provided no surface -disturbing activities occur in the Terror Creek watershed. Boreal Toad. The mine permit boundary contains only marginally suitable habitat for boreal toad, roughly coincident with lynx potential habitat marked on Figure 5. Furthermore, all areas within the elevational range of boreal toad with the potential for wetland or riparian habitat lie well outside areas of permitted surface disturbance in the mine permit boundary. Based on this information, it is expected that continued activities under Bowie No. 1 Mine Permit No. C-1981-038 are not likely to adversely effect boreal toad. I hope this inventory provides you and the DRMS with the information you need to address the Midterm Permit Review for Bowie No. 1 Mine dated October 13, 2015. Please don't hesitate to call me at 527-8445 if you have any questions or require further information. RARE Emuh SciErAcE, LLC