2018-11-05_PERMIT FILE - C1981044A ‎(3)‎

• Permit No: C1981044A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 11/5/2018
• Section_Exhibit Name: 2.04 Information on Environmental Resources
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

Stream Bioloeic Resources Information
The following discussion on stream biologic resources was based on information gathered from the Colorado Division
of Wildlife, the United States Geological Survey, Ecology Consultants, Inc., and the Final Environmental Impact
Statement of Northwest Colorado Coal.
Two (2) streams of the upper Colorado River drainage pass through [he EC mining property. These are the Yampa
and the Williams Fork Rivers.
The Yampa River consists of alternating ripples and pools resulting in a variety of habitats for fish and bottom fauna.
The channel of the Yampa shifts throughout the year in response to changing discharge. Sand and mud bars are swept
away by rising waters and re-deposited as flow decreases. Lateral cutting of banks is extensive in some areas.
Ripples, large rocks, and boulders, with occasional deep pools, define the major aquatic habitat in [he upper region of
the Yampa River through the EC mining properties.
The Williams Fork River, a[ its confluence with the Yampa, is similar to the Yampa River having alternating ripples
and pools providing a variety of habitats for fish and bottom fauna. The channel of the Williams Fork, however, has a
steeper gradient than that of the Yampa, which results in a swifter current.
This section of the Wildlife report will describe the aquatic characteristics of the Yampa and Williams Fork Rivers.
Information gathered included fish species (including numbers), invertebrate fauna, water chemistry (including
sediment load), and impacts of mining.
Aouatic Bioloev of the Yampa River
Fish of the Yampa River. Ecology Consultants, Inc., in work performed for Stems-Rogers, collected nine (9) fish
species from the Yampa and Williams Fork Rivers in the vicinity of Craig in 1972 utilizing an electroshocker. The
results of this fish sampling study are summarized in Table 49, Fish Captured in Vicinity of Craig Power Station.
Another fish species distribution and abundance study was conducted in 1973 for the Colowyo Railroad impact
analysis. The results of this study, taken from the final environmental impact statement for Northwest Colorado Coal,
is presented in Table 50, Fish Species Distribution Abundance.
Mc William Roland, Wildlife Conservation Officer, at Craig, Colorado reports that the Department of Wildlife stocks
2,500 pounds of rainbow trout in the Yampa River each year. These fish are released adjacent to the Craig golf course
and downstream for approximately one (1) mile. This is approximately three (3) miles upstream from the EC
operations. The fishing pressure is greatest in late spring and fall. The Yampa River near Craig is considered
marginal trout water because water temperatures aze extremely warm in the summer months.
Invertebrates of the Yampa River
Bottom dwelling animals or benthic invertebrates were sampled by Ecology Consultants, Inc. with a Surber sampler
for a period of one year. This device has a frame encompassing one (1) square foot to which is attached a fine mesh
bag. The sampler is pressed firmly against a substrate, which is then vigorously stirred; dislodged organisms are
swept into the bag by the current. Fifty-eight samples were collected for the study period. The samples represented a
variety of habitats and substrate types in the river. The captured organisms were identified, dried, and weighed. The
fauna dwelling home in the substrate was dominated by species of Ephemeroptera (mayflies) and Trichoptera (caddis
flies), and lesser numbers and weights of Plecoptera (stone flies), Diptera (true flies), and Coluoptera (beetles). A
summary of the numbers and weights of this bottom fauna is given in Table 51, Average Numbers and Weights of
Bottom Fauna in Surber Samples.
Permit Revision 0434 2.04-45 Revised 7/2/04