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APPENDIX P <br />McClane Canyon Mine Expansion and Fruita Loadout Facility Biological Assessment <br />1. The proposed sediment pond at the McClane Canyon Mine shall be lined to prevent <br />seepage of water and dissolved constituents and mobilization of contaminants in <br />pond substrates. The material used for the liner shall be approved by DRMS and <br />BLM prior to installation. The liner shall be inspected frequently (during each <br />cleaning) and repaired immediately if it is damaged or leaking. <br />2. Water in the sediment pond at the McClane Canyon Mine shall be tested. No water <br />shall be discharged into East Salt Creek if any constituent concentrations exceed the <br />water quality standards (physical, biological, inorganic, and metals) identified for <br />Lower Colorado River Stream Segment 13a under CDPHE Water Quality Control <br />Commission Regulation 37. <br />3. The three proposed sediment ponds at the Loadout Facility shall be lined to prevent <br />seepage of water and dissolved constituents and mobilization of contaminants in <br />pond substrates. The material used for the liner shall be approved by DRMS and <br />BLM prior to installation. The liners shall be inspected regularly and replaced <br />immediately if they are damaged. <br />4. Water held in sediment ponds within the Loadout Facility shall be pumped and <br />removed to an approved disposal facility instead of discharged directly into Reed <br />Wash as proposed. <br />5. Sediment removed from the ponds shall be disposed of at an approved disposal <br />facility. <br />6. The proposed railroad bridge across Reed Wash and the 100 -year floodplain shall <br />be redesigned to include a deck for the length of the bridge. A deck would intercept <br />leaks of petroleum products from locomotives and coal cars, pieces of coal and <br />some fugitive coal dust from coal cars, and creosote contamination from rail ties. <br />The bridge shall be inspected frequently and any materials collected on the deck <br />shall be removed to avoid entry into Reed Wash and the 100 -year floodplain. <br />7. All herbicides used in the vicinity of Reed Wash shall be non-toxic to fish and other <br />aquatic organisms. If use of non-toxic herbicides is not possible, other measures <br />could be used such as controlled burning or biological or mechanical means to <br />control tamarisk. <br />4.3.1.5 Determination of Effects <br />Species Effects. The Project may affect Colorado pikeminnow because: <br />• Colorado pikeminnows are likely to occur within the Colorado River, within Reed <br />Wash, and within designated critical habitat in the Action Area. <br />The Project is not likely to adversely affect Colorado pikeminnows because: <br />• The proposed sediment ponds at the Mine and Loadout Facility will be lined to <br />prevent seepage of water and dissolved constituents into East Salt Creek and Reed <br />Wash. Minimizing the amount selenium in aquatic habitats will reduce adverse <br />effects to Colorado pikeminnows and the species' recovery. <br />• No water will be discharged into East Salt Creek or to Reed Wash that will exceed <br />the numeric standards for selenium. Minimizing the amount selenium in aquatic <br />habitats will reduce adverse effects to Colorado pikeminnows and the species' <br />recovery. <br />• Removal of runoff water collected in sediment ponds at the Loadout Facility and <br />disposal off-site will avoid releasing additional selenium into Reed Wash and the <br />Colorado River that could adversely affect Colorado pikeminnow recovery. <br />27 <br />PR -02 10/12 <br />