2017-02-03_PERMIT FILE - C1980004 ‎(22)‎

• Permit No: C1980004
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 2/3/2017
• Section_Exhibit Name: Appendix P Water Depletion Estimates
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

APPENDIX P
McClave Canyon Mine Expansion and Fruita Loadout Facility Biological Assessment
when inundated, provides habitats for the species' various life stages (FWS, 1994). Floodplains
that have been previously developed are not likely to -provide PCEs'(FWS, 1994). The Colorado
River 100 -year floodplain extends through the Loadout Facility property, in association with the
riparian zone of Reed Wash (Map 4). No disturbances from previous or existing industrial
developments within the proposed Loadout Facility property coincide with the 100 -year
floodplain extending up Reed Wash and the associated floodplain is appropriate critical habitat.
The 1007year floodplain has not been mapped downstream from the 18 -mile reach in the vicinity
of the Salt Creek confluence with the Colorado River. However, the channel sinuosity and
apparent presence of old oxbows and side channels within the channel migration zone of Salt
Creek suggest a.low gradient. Given the mouth location downstream from Horsethief Canyon
and' fust upstream from Ruby Canyon, it appears that the Colorado River 100 -year floodplain
would extend up Salt Creek for some distance, though not as far as the confluence with East
Salt Creek. In any case, lower. Salt Creek appears to provide suitable PCEs for Colorado
pikeminnow.
4.3.1.3 Effects by the Proposed Action
Direct and Indirect Effects. Construction and operation of the Proposed Action could directly
and/or indirectly affect Colorado pikeminnows through one or more of the following pathways:
1. Water depletionsfroin the Colorado River system.
2. Decreased water quality in East Salt Creek and -downstream in Salt Creek due to
discharge from the' Mine sediment retention _pond, and in Reed Wash due to
discharge from sediment ponds at the Loadout Facility.
3. Coal spills entering Reed Wash from coal cars and fugitive coal dust from stockpiles
and coal cars at the Loadout Facility.
4. Construction of the rail bed and bridge in Reed Wash, 100 -year floodplain, and
critical Habitat.
5. Acoustic impact from driving piles in Reed Wash streambanks and floodplain.
6. Hazardous materials (diesel fuel, lubricants, creosote, de -Icing chemicals, and
herbicides) affecting Reed Wash, 100 -year floodplain, and critical habitat.
Water Dealetions. As currently planned, the construction and operation of the Mine would result
in an average annual water depletion of 25.3 acre-feet. Construction and operation of the
Loadout Facility would deplete an average of 9.7 acre-feet per year. The depletions added
together total 35.0 acre-feet per year, which is less than the threshold of 100 acre-feet per year
requirement ,for the Project proponent to contribute to the species' Recovery Program.
Nevertheless, continued .water depletions -from the Colorado River system ' have affected
recovery of the Colorado pikeminnow.
Decreased Water Quality. Selenium is a semi-metallic trace element that is widely distributed in
Upper Cretaceous and Tertiary marine sedimentary rocks in the Western United States (Bureau
of Reclamation et -al., 1998). Selenium is present in Cameo B coal deposits in the Book Cliffs
(Colorado) coal field in concentrations ranging from <0.1 to 5.3 ppm (average 1.5 ppm (1.5
mg/kg of coal) on a whole coal basis (Affoiter, 2009). Selenium is an essential trace element for
animals in small amounts but exposures to slightly higher amounts is toxic to vertebrates, often
compounded -by bioaccumulation of selenium -through terrestrial and- aquatic food chains
(Hamilton, 2004; Bureau of Reclamation et al., 1998; Lemly, 1993; Lemly, 1996; Peterson and
Nebeker, 1992). Selenium could be introduced by the Proposed Action into Reed Wash .and
East Salt Creek. Reed Wash is Impaired due -to high concentrations of selenium. Introduction
of 'additional selenium into'these waterbodies could further hinder recovery of -the Colorado
pikeminnow.
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PR -02 10/12