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limited areas, the blue grouse may occur, but only at adjacent higher elevations. During breeding <br /> season, several species of raptors are found in the vicinity of the permit area. The red-tail hawk <br /> and golden eagle have been commonly observed in the winter, and bald eagles may use the area <br /> along the North Fork of the Gunnison River. <br /> The North Fork of the Gunnison River begins at the confluence of Anthracite and Muddy <br /> Creeks, approximately 15 miles upstream from the permit area. The stream is classified as a <br /> fishery stream by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Surveys assessing the condition of the aquatic <br /> environment show that the section of the stream above Paonia, CO is in good condition. Fish <br /> species in the river vary within the location of the stream. <br /> The applicant made an evaluation of Threatened& Endangered Species, candidate species and <br /> their Delta County habitats for the Terror Creek Loadout site, this was most recently updated in <br /> May 2023, with MR-32. As detailed in Section 2.04.11 of the PAP, eleven species were <br /> identified from the U.S. Fish& Wildlife Service list of endangered, threatened, proposed and <br /> candidate species for Delta County. These include the Yellow Billed Cuckoo, Gunnison Sage <br /> Grouse,Mexican Spotted Owl, Colorado Pikeminnow, Razorback Sucker and Humpback Chub, <br /> Bonytail Chub, Hookless Cactus, Clay-loving Wild Buckwheat, Parachute Beardtongue, Canada <br /> Lynx and the Monarch Butterfly. In addition, the possible presence of bald eagles and golden <br /> eagles was examined. The evaluation found that only the bald eagle and golden eagle had <br /> suitable habitat in that area of the North Fork of the Gunnison River valley and that both eagle <br /> species would only use the habitat for occasional seasonal foraging. The conclusion was that the <br /> Terror Creek Loadout site would not adversely affect these species or their habitats. <br /> Description of the Operation and Reclamation Plans <br /> Permitted facilities at the Terror Creek Loadout consist of a truck scale, raw, crushed, and sorted <br /> coal stockpiles, crushing and screening facilities, a train loadout facility, and an office, shop, <br /> bathhouse, and storage facilities. The anticipated annual coal tonnage permitted to be handled at <br /> this facility is up to 500,000 tons. <br /> Drainage and sedimentation control consists of a diversion ditch to direct undisturbed irrigation <br /> drainage and storm runoff around the site, a berm to prevent spillage of coal over the bench, and <br /> a sediment pond and dugout pond to retain disturbed drainage and allow for NPDES compliance <br /> prior to discharge. <br /> Sediment will be periodically removed from the sedimentation ponds to ensure proper <br /> functioning of the ponds. If needed, the sediment removed from the ponds will be placed in the <br /> sediment storage pile. Annually, during the summer months, a portion or all of the sediment pile <br /> will be spread over the site to improve drainage and to keep the size of the pile at approximately <br /> 1,500 tons. Interim revegetation of road cuts, berms, and the topsoil stockpiles further minimize <br /> wind and water erosion. <br /> Raw coal from haulage trucks or from the raw coal stockpile is approved to be dumped into an <br /> enclosed, underground feeder. The coal is then conveyed to appropriate screens for size <br /> separation and crushed if necessary. The product coal is then either loaded directly into rail cars <br /> 7 <br />