Laserfiche WebLink
E. Stover & Associates <br />ecember 21, 1995 <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />The T & E survey did not address the downstream effects of this proposal on the endangered fish species of <br />the Colorado River Basin. These affects cannot be assessed without information regarding the runoff <br />management including settling ponds, water quality of mine discharges, and the water use by the mine <br />facility. It is recommended that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Grand Junction be contacted with the <br />above listed information for assessment regarding this issue. <br />The proposed mine facilities, including the gob pile, load out area, new access roads, conveyor structure <br />and portal facilities, are found in heavily used critical winter range for the deer and elk which are found in <br />Game Management Unit 521. This mining facility will have a major negative impact on these species. The <br />facility sites will displace these animals. The proposed conveyor belt from the portal to the load out may <br />block east-west movement of big game animals along the length of the belt line. <br />The cliffs found in the area are possible nesting and/or roosting sites for all species of raptors found in the <br />area. The proposed facilities will not affect most of the cliff areas in the permit area. The cliffs located <br />just northeast of the proposed mine portal may be adversely affected by this project. <br />If you have a mitigation plan for these impacts I would be very interested in viewing it in order to do a <br />1'~mplete assessment of your project as it effects wildlife. If you do not yet have a plan for mitigating <br />d/or minimizing impacts to the wildlife resource, 1 am listing the Division's recommendations below. <br />* As little removal of existing vegetation as possible is recommended unless done under a <br />mitigation plan for enhancement of vegetation and wildlife habitat. <br />* On the lower portion of the site, there should be minimal clearing of pinon juniper <br />woodlands. This component of habitat is extremely important in this particular location for <br />thermal and hiding cover for wildlife, and particularly for mule deer. <br />* There should be vegetative buffers left between each switch back along the access road up <br />to the proposed portal. <br />* As large a buffer from cliffs as possible should be left. The recommended buffer is <br />usually 1/2 mile but in this case that is almost impossible due to the topography. <br />* All new power poles which are installed for this project should be of a design which <br />discourages raptor use or of a design which allows raptors to use them in a safe manner. <br />Specifications are available from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Grand Junction. <br /> <br />