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Exception: The buffer zone around the Cooper's Ha~rl; nest could be considered suitable for underground mining with the folle~aing' stipulations. Some surface activities may be permissible in the buffer zone at times other than the breeding/rearing season or if the nest is inactive. Activities must be cleared by the Bureau after consultation vrith the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Ilo surface disturbance, facilities, subsidence, occupancy, or industrial fires will be permitted in the buffer zone except as specified above. In instances where there is already significant disturbance of the _,. riparian community, such as the Bear (dine area on the North Fork of the Gunnison, some surface activities may be permitted. These activities must be examined on a site-specific basis and receive approval of the Bureau of Land Management and Colorado Division of Wildlife. The riparian zone buffer strip can be considered suitable, barring surface disturbance, including: subsidence, surface facilities, occupancy, and industrial fires. This recommendation conflicts with ARCO's 50-foot riparian zone buffer zone proposal. Criterion Number 15: State Resident Fish and Wildlife Analysis: The North Fork of the Gunnison River is classified as a cold water .trout stream. The Colorado .Division of 4ildlife considers this stream to provide high recreational use and enjoyment, and any degree of outside negative impacts would degrade the habitat to the point where the present populations could not be sustained. This stream should be considered unsuitable. Exception: The cold water trout stream can be considered suitable for underground mining. However, surface disturbance of this aquatic habitat will not be permissible. This disturbance would include surface facilities, subsidence, channel modifications, and a reduction in water quality. Some activities may be permitted in the stream habitat with approval from the Division of Wildlife Resources and Bureau of land Management. Criterion Number 16: Floodplains Analysis: Special floodplains (100-year recurrence interval) are considered unsuitable for coal mining due to the potential for harm to people, property and the beneficial values of the floodplains. The only special floodplain delineated on BLPi-managed lands within leases C-1362, D-044569 and C-0117192 is located along the south side of the North Fork Gunnison River in Section 9, T. 135., R. 90W., 6th P. M. (coal lease D-044569, see attachment). USGS is presently being consulted to confirm this analysis and the results of the consultation will be completed prior to mine plan approval. The remaining area contained within the lease areas, managed by BLM, is comprised of small watersheds with intermittent streams. The largest is approximately 1.1 square miles with a 100-year peak discharge of roughly 45 cfs. Because these floodplains are narrow and low flood flows are associated with them, the floodplains are suitable for coal mining.