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acceptance of final reclamation relative to all riparian functions such as also providing wildlife <br /> habitat. <br /> 13.3.5 WILDLIFE AQUATIC (includes a fmdin2 on standard 3) <br /> Affected Environment: <br /> See also Wetland and Riparian section 3.3.4. The Arkansas River is a popular brown <br /> trout fishery with extremely high visitation by anglers from Colorado's Front Range cities and <br /> other locations. Both shore and float fishing occur on this river. Near river side channel aquatic <br /> habitat is virtually non-existent by way of backwaters, sloughs, wetland areas, etc. in this <br /> location as the Arkansas River is very incised in rock with only limited riparian margins. The <br /> area does not support habitat for amphibians local to the area in the close proximity to the <br /> proposed action but there are breeding sites close by both up and downstream. <br /> Environmental Effects <br /> Proposed Action <br /> Direct and Indirect Impacts: As planned and discussed,material to be excavated will be <br /> kept out of the riparian areas and out of the river. In practice, some material has entered the <br /> water and has added upslope material to the stream environment beyond natural levels. If all <br /> future material is kept from entering the Arkansas River including stormwater induced erosion, <br /> then there is no measurable impact to the aquatic habitat of the Arkansas River,only the <br /> interaction to angling along the banks of the public land given the ongoing operations. <br /> However, if settling ponds are still going to be used for pumped water used in the operations and <br /> that water does not entirely re-enter the Arkansas River sub-surface,then a slight stream of <br /> possibly turbid water may appear. Pumped water containing macroinvertebrates or young of the <br /> year fish could occur,but the scale of impact to the larger river would be extremely small and <br /> can be mitigated by screening the suction intake. Return flows from pumping if they do now <br /> completely settle in the constructed settling basins may require an NPDES permit as regulated by <br /> the State of Colorado and would be the responsibility of site operators. Under the new Poo <br /> native material excavated upslope of the riparian zone will leave more volume than geologic <br /> sorting did. Given the larger exposed volumes of material, planed altered slope angles, and <br /> reduced site vegetation, increased erosion during primarily high precipitation events in the May <br /> through September rain seasons is possible. Isolated thunderstorms produce heavy rains in short <br /> periods of time and naturally create overland flow. Very short duration overland flow carrying <br /> silts which would enter the riparian vegetation and the Arkansas River as turbidity will be <br /> difficult to control. If eroded materials reach the stream banks or river unnecessary impact <br /> would occur(see precautions in riparian section 3.3.4) <br /> Protective/Mitigation Measures: <br /> • The Modified Poo has more recent cast material being removed from flood prone <br /> areas which is necessary to sustain watershed functions,but is also necessary <br /> under Section 404 laws as administered by the Army Corps of Engineers <br /> (ACOE). The proponent is responsible to coordinate these activities with the <br /> ACOE, as applicable. The Poo plans to plant vegetation in the riparian as <br /> mitigation to offset recently cast material <br /> • If the planned constructed settling basins do not contain all pumped waters <br /> allowing it to soak in, then the mine proponent would need to consult with the <br />