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-zo- <br />4. l•Jithin their proposed fish and wildlife plan Snowmass needs to explain vrhich <br />methods will be used to protect or enhance habitats of unusually high value <br />(such as wetlands, riparian areas, reproduction or nursery areas, or wintering <br />areas); eagles, migratory birds, or other animals protected by law and their <br />habitats; and threatened or endangered plant or animal species and their <br />habitats (4.05.6(2)). <br />Protection of Hydrologic Balance <br />Section 2.05.6(3) - page 160 + and 176 + <br />The application does not fully consider all of the probable hydrologic effects <br />which could be associated with the mine and loadout. The applicant should give <br />more thought to possible effects and attempt to quantify these effects wherever <br />possible. The application should separately discuss possible or probable <br />effects to surface 1•raters and ground water, during and after mininn. If problems <br />are not anticipated the app]ication should state the reasons vrhy. for the <br />Division to make written findings under this section v,e need to know what <br />potential problems were considered and why they vrere found to be insignificant. <br />The following preliminary concerns come to mind that have not been addressed: <br />1. The applicant should quantify the effects of surface disturbance on runoff <br />and also flow rates of North Thompson Creek. For example, the application <br />should discuss the magnitude of reduction of runoff due to impoundments, <br />catchment basins, and water impounded in sedimentation basins. How will the <br />retention of water in these structures affect the flours in the creek? How <br />will the runoff and flow characteristics change after reclamation of the site <br />is completed? The application should quantify and compare the pre and post <br />reclamation contribution of the mine site to stream flow. ;•lill removal of <br />surface facilities increase or decrease the runoff from the site? The application <br />should discuss the changes in infiltration and evapotranspiration due to recla- <br />mation of the site. <br />2. The application should attempt to describe what changes in runoff and flow <br />characteristics have already taken place at the site due to the surface facilities <br />existing at the mine. <br />3. Have surface disturbances affected the recharge capacity of the mine area? <br />If so, the effects should be quantified and a plan developed to restore recharge <br />if significant. <br />4, ldhat impacts to North Thompson Creek will occur when facilities are removed <br />during reclamation. Since many of the facilites are in or above the creek the <br />application should state what methods will be used to minimize impacts to the <br />stream. (Jill any instream sodiment control measures be necessary? <br />5. The application should explain ~ahy suspended solids concentrations are higher <br />upstream than downstream from the mine. <br />6. An attempt should be made to quantify the effects of sediment pond discharges <br />on the water quality of Thompson Creek. !that changes in water quality will <br />occur as the result of these discharges? lJill the water quality change after <br />reclamation? How significant are these changes? <br />