Laserfiche WebLink
• <br />IN REPLY REFER TO <br /> <br />• <br />• III IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII <br />999 <br />United States Department of the Interior <br />FISH AIVD WILllLIFE SERVICE <br />ENDANGERED SNECI ES OFFICE <br />2078 ADMINISTRATION BLDG. <br />1745 WEST 1700 SOUTH <br />SALT LAKE CITY, UTAI1 84104 <br />December 16, 1985 <br />SE/SEC: 6-5-86-F-009 <br />MEMORANDUM <br />T0: Chief, Engineering Analysis Division, Office of Surface Mining, <br />Denver, CO <br />r, <br />FROM: ',G`~\ Field Supervisor, Endangered Species Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife <br />Service, Salt Lake City, UT <br />SUBJECT: Section 7 Consultation and Biological Opinion, Colorado Yampa Coal <br />Company, Eckman Park Extension <br />This is in response to your November 1, 1985 biological assessment and request <br />fot formal Section 7 consultation regarding Colorado Yampa Coal Company's <br />(CYCC's) proposal to expand its Eckman Park surface coal mine near Steamboat <br />Springs, Routt County, Colorado. The Federal action triggering consultation <br />is the Office of Surface Mining's (OSM's) proposed approval of the mine plan. <br />We are providing this biological opinion ae prescribed by Section 7 of the <br />Endangered Species Act (ESA), 16 U.S.C. 1531 et ae ., sad the Interagency <br />Cooperation Regulations, 50 CFR 402. <br />BIOLOGICAL OPINION <br />The issuance of a permit to allow expansion of the Eckman Park Mine, with the <br />inclusion of conservation measures outlined below, !e not likely to jeopardize <br />the continued existence of the Colorado equawfish (Ptychocheilua lucius), <br />humpback chub (Gila cypha), and bonytail chub (Gila elegane). We concur with <br />your "no effect" finding for the bald eagle (Haliaeetue leucocephalus). <br />PROJECT DESCRIPTION <br />OSM intends to approve a proposal by CYCC to expand its Eckman Park aucface <br />coal mine located 20 miles southwest of Steamboat Springs, Colorado to include <br />an additional 30 acres. The existing Eckman Park Mine covers approximately <br />6,700 acres. Since the Federal action by OSM authorizes the existing mine ae <br />well ae the new tract, this biological opinion evaluates the impacts to <br />endangered Colorado River fishes as a result of the consumptive use of water <br />and resulting depletion for the entire facility. <br />• <br />