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
McClane Canyon Mine Expansion and Fruita Loadout Facility Biological Assessment
Cumulative Effects. As discussed above for Colorado pikeminnows, no State, tribal, local, or
private actions are reasonably certain to occur within Reed Wash and the 100 -year floodplain.
Other potential cumulative effects associated with human population growth in Garfield and
Mesa counties are expected to generate cumulative effects to razorback suckers, as discussed
above fol Colorado pikeminnows.
4.3.2.4 Conservation Measures
The same conservation measures that were proposed to avoid or minimize effects by the
Proposed Action to Colorado pikeminnows and critical habitat in Reed Wash and the 100 -year
floodplain would benefit conservation of razorback suckers..
4.3.2.5 Determination of Effects
Species Effects. The Project may affect razorback suckers because:
• Razorback suckers are likely to occur within the Colorado River, within Reed Wash,
and within designated critical habitat in the Action Area.
The Project is not likely to adversely affect razorback suckers for the same reasons identified
for Colorado pikeminnows, above. Briefly, the reasons include 1) lining proposed sediment
ponds at the Mine and Loadout Facility to prevent seepage of water and dissolved constituents
and mobilization of contaminants in pond substrates into East Salt Creek and Reed Wash, 2)
preventing_ discharge of water :with selenium concentrations exceeding numeric, standards 3)
removing water from sediment ponds at the Loadout Facility *and disposal off-site, 4) control of
fugitive coal dust,atthe Loadout Facility, 5) installing a deck on the railroad bridge across Reed
Wash, 6) avoiding driving pilings in the water- column, 7) utilizing .BMPs to minimize
sedimentation and contaminant load in surface water, and 8) avoiding application of herbicides
potentially toxic to fish near surface waters.
The Project is likely to adversely affect razorback suckers'because:
• Water withdrawal from the Colorado River and/or from. aquifers connected to the
river' by the Proposed Action would adversely affect razorback suckers. However,
the amount of water depleted annually by the Proposed Action is less than 900 acre-
feet and a contribution to the species' recovery would be waived.
Critical Habitat Effects. The Project may affect razorback suckers' designated critical habitat
because:
• Designated critical habitat for razorback sucker is present within the Action Area, -and
the -project would physically alter 0.124 acre of critical habitat within- the 100 -year
floodplain in Reed Wash.
The Project is not likely to adversely affect razorback suckers critical habitat for the same
reasons Identified for Colorado pikeminnows, above. Briefly, the reasons described include 1)
insignificant amount of physically-alfer6g the .100 -year floodplain, 2} the railroad bridge would
not bei flooded or cause avdlslon during the 100 -,year flood, 3) no bridge pilings are within. the
OHWM of Reed Wash, 4) effects to water quality PCE by multiple causes have been minimized,
5) BMPs would minimize sedimentation and "contaminant loads In surface water, and 6)
potentially toxic herbicides would not be used near the 100-year.floodplain.
The Project is likely to adversely affect razorback sucker critical habitat because:
• Water withdrawal from the Colorado River and/or from aquifers connected to the
river by the Proposed Action would adversely affect critical habitat designated for
razorback suckers.
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PR -02 10/12