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

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Aquatic Biology of the Williams Fork River Fish of the Williams Fork River. As previously stated, an electroshocking study was performed by Ecology Consultants, Inc. on the Yampa and Williams Fork Rivers in 1972 for Sterns-Rogers. The results of that study are presented in Table 49, Fish Captured in the Vicinity of Craig Power Station. Amore recent fish shocking study for the Williams Fork River was performed by Ecology Consultants, Inc. in August of 1979 for EC. This fish shocking study is presented in Exhibit 15, Fish Survey of the Williams Fork River. Tables 1 and 2 of Exhibit 15 Fish Survey of the Williams Fork River indicates [he numbers and percent composition of the fish collected in this study. Information acquired from the Colorado Division of Wildlife for data collected from a stream survey between Hamilton, Colorado and the confluence of the Williams Fork River and the Yampa River has been included as a supplement to Exhibit 15, Fish Survey of the Williams Fork River. Invertebrates of the Williams Fork River In August 1979, a study on the Benthic micro-invertebrate fauna of the Williams Fork River was conducted by Ecology Consultants, Inc. for EC. The results of this study have been included as a supplement to Exhibit 15, Fish Survey of the Williams Fork River. The title of the report by Ecology Consultants, Inc. is Benthic Micro-Invertebrate Survey in the Williams Fork River. Table 1 through Table 6 in this study, give more detailed information on the scientific names, densities, percent relative abundance, and chemical and physical properties measured or observed at the time of the sampling. Effects of Minin¢ on Wildlife EC, formerly EC, has been mining coal since 1969 and has a limited associated surface disturbance area. Due to the small acreage disturbed, the loss of habitat associated with [he mining operation is negligible. Because no new surface disturbance is planned, there will be very little habitat potentially disturbed by EC. EC conducted fish and benthic organism survey in the Williams Fork River on a quarterly basis beginning in the last quarter of 1979. This information can be found in Exhibit 15, Fish Survey of Williams Fork River. The data generated from these sampling episodes indicated that the mining activities has no measurable detrimental impact on the fish and benthic organisms in the Williams Fork River adjacent to the silo. During the study, no threatened or endangered species were captured, and all information indicates that the operation would not impact them, if indeed they were present. Rare and Endangered Species The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in its letter of April 8, 1998, provided a list of species that may be located near the mine, and they are as follows: Humpback Chub Bonytail Colorado Squawfish Razorback Sucker No new expansion or pumping is anticipated for the mine, except the streambank stabilization work completed on the William Fork River; and therefore, the operation should not impact any of the above species. The streambank stabilization project has been approved by the Cotps of Engineers and no concern ever identified during the review process. Permit Revision 04-34 2.04-46 Revised 7/2/04