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We were,however, able to explain that the broad range of potential adverse effects to the <br /> Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker, humpback chub, and bonytail in the action area would <br /> not be likely to result in jeopardy to any of these species or destruction or adverse modification <br /> to their critical habitats. This finding satisfies Congress' direction in 7(a)(2) of the Act that <br /> "Each Federal agency...insure that any action...is not likely to jeopardize the continued <br /> existence of any endangered species or threatened species, or result in destruction or adverse <br /> modification of habitat...determined by the Secretary... to be critical." <br /> We also explained that OSMRE committed to a study examining the potential effects in more <br /> specific detail and it may increase our knowledge regarding specific effects to individuals. This <br /> may reveal whether(and to what extent), and how many individuals (if any) will be actually <br /> injured or killed. <br /> Monitoring and Reporting <br /> OSMRE shall monitor the progress of the proposed action (including implementation of the <br /> conservation measures) and report that progress to the Service on an annual basis. The report <br /> shall be sent to the Western Colorado Ecological Services office by no later than March 31st. <br /> This information can also be used by OSMRE to identify any potential need to reinitiate <br /> consultation on this action (see reinitiation triggers below). <br /> 6.0 CONSERVATION RECOMMENDATIONS <br /> 1. Efforts are underway to measure mercury concentrations in the White and Yampa Rivers <br /> both in fish and in the water. Riparian and aquatic insects living in and along these <br /> rivers,which are eaten by endangered fish (e.g., humpback chub, bonytail) and <br /> yellow-billed cuckoos, are likely to also contain some level of mercury. Should funding <br /> become available,we recommend that mercury concentrations be measured in insects <br /> that serve as food sources for these threatened and endangered species (e.g., large <br /> terrestrial insects found in cottonwood galleries and common aquatic insects found within <br /> endangered fish critical habitat). <br /> 7.0 REINITIATION <br /> This concludes formal consultation on OSMRE's proposed action involving the approval of a <br /> coal mining plan at the Trapper Mine and eventual combustion of the mined coal at the Craig <br /> Generating Station. As provided in 50 CFR §402.16,reinitiation of formal consultation is <br /> required and shall be requested by the Federal agency or by the Service,where discretionary <br /> Federal involvement or control over the action has been retained or is authorized by law and: (a) <br /> If the amount or extent of taking specified in the incidental take statement is exceeded; (b) If new <br /> information reveals effects of the action that may affect listed species or critical habitat in a <br /> manner or to an extent not previously considered; (c) If the identified action is subsequently <br /> modified in a manner that causes an effect to the listed species or critical habitat that was not <br /> considered in the biological opinion; or(d) If a new species is listed or critical habitat designated <br /> that may be affected by the identified action. <br /> 61 <br />