2020-10-27_PERMIT FILE - C1981035 (20)

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Biological Assessment Federal Coal Lease Modification(COC-62920)and Federal Mine Permit(CO-0106A)Revision and Renewal ■ Changes in snowpack, streamflow timing, and hydrograph evolution may affect reservoir operations, including flood control and storage. Changes in the timing and magnitude of runoff may affect functioning of diversion, storage, and conveyance structures. ■ Earlier runoff may complicate prior appropriation systems and interstate water compacts, affecting which water-rights holders receive water, and operations plans for reservoirs. ■ Changes in water quality. For example, changes in the timing and hydrograph may affect sediment load and contaminant concentrations. ■ Warmer air temperatures may place higher demands on hydropower reservoirs for peaking power. Warmer lake and stream temperatures may affect water use by cooling power plants and in other industries. ■ Increasing temperature and soil moisture changes may shift mountain habitats toward higher elevation. ■ Changes in air, water, and soil temperatures may affect the relationships between forests, surface water and groundwater, wildfire, and insect pests. Water-stressed trees, for example, may be more vulnerable to pests. ■ Stream temperatures are expected to increase as the climate warms, which could have direct and indirect effects on aquatic ecosystems, including the spread of in-stream non- native species and diseases to higher elevations, and the potential for non-native plant species to invade riparian areas. Changes in streamflow intensity and timing may also affect riparian ecosystems. ■ Changes in reservoir storage, streamflow intensity and timing, the character and timing of snowpack, and the ratio of snowfall to rainfall may affect recreation activities. ■ Changes in long-term precipitation and soil moisture can affect groundwater recharge rates; coupled with demand issues, this may mean greater pressures on groundwater resources. Climate change is further discussed in Section 6, Effects Analysis. 4.3 Water Quality The water quality baseline described in this section includes summaries of baseline conditions in water bodies potentially affected by the Proposed Action that also provide habitat for federally listed species. San Juan River Water quality is of concern in the San Juan River Basin with many water bodies, including the San Juan River, being impaired due to one or more factors, including metals, sediment, salinity, temperature, fecal matter, and dissolved oxygen (USFWS 2006). Osmundson and Lusk(2011), AECOM (2013), and Electric Power Research Institute (2014)identified mercury or selenium as moderately elevated contaminants of concern in biota and fish tissues collected from the San July 2017 13