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~• • • -3- Hydrology: In their permit application, Sunflower Energy Corporation notes that [he existing Blue Ribbon Mine produces little measurable quantities of water. No known springs or wells are located above the mine and [here are no identified faults in the area. The on1V surfar_e water in [he mine area is the headwaters of a sma.il ephemeral drainage tributary to Hubbard Creek. This stream usually has flows three to five weeks per year which results from spring snowmelt. As a result of [he mining activity no direct disturbance of the ephemeral drainage will occur. However, if subsidence occurs, this drainage may be impacted (refer to subsidence and hydrology sections in TA ). However, with regards to the overall effect to surface water, OS;t helieves the impact on the ephemeral drainage caused by subsidence would be of limited extent. Flows from this drainage are limited and no direct water users have been identified. Wildlife: The Rlue Ribbon Mine area consists of wildlife habitats which include ninon to ,juniper communities. Field examinations by the Colorado Division of iJildife indicate that deer, elk, bobcat, beaver, muskrat, cottontail rabbit, waterfowl, and raptors inhabit the area. The mining and associated human activity will continue to moderately affect wildlife. This will occur primarily to deer and elk utilization of winter range in the Hubbard Creek drainage area. With respect to threatened or endangered species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (F•WS) (Memorandum from h. Ronel Finley, October 24, 1980) has staCed that the bald eagle would be the only species with a likelihood of being impacted by ac[ivtties at the Rlue Ribhon Ptine site. However, the FWS has no information which suggests [hat the mine area is anything, other than an occasional feeding area for eagles. The Colorado Division of Wildlife has noted that the majority of bald eagle activity is along the North Fork of the Gunnison River, approximately three miles south of Sunflower's mining operation. I[ is believed that if the proposed activity is approved (i.e., an expansion of underground mining activity with no change in the level of surface disturbance) this should in no way affect bald eagles in the area. The FWS also notes that no threatened or endangered ulanC species (presently listed) are reported for the mine area. Soils: The soil of the Blue Ribbon Mine is an Absaro4:ee loam on 3-12% slopes. The Absarokee soil is a moderatley deep, well drained soil formed from weathered sandstone material. The soil has a very slow permeability and low available water canacity• Surface runoff is medium and the erosion hazard i.s slight from wind and moderate from water. Soils should not be impacted any differently from the proposed modification to the mine plan. Transportation: No new access roads will be required. The present access road to Uie mine site was constructed [n the mine portal as a spar from the U. S. Forest Service access road. The access road will require periodic {trading to provide a safe driving surface. Coal will continue to be hauled by truck from the mine to a small area located along the road to Faonia for weighing purposes. After the completion of mining, the access road will be reclaimed. i, M ~4~~~~~~