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fiUV 2U <br />STATE OF COLORADO <br />Rlt ft•ra D. L•m m, Gor•rnor <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE <br />J•ck R. Grle b, Dlre ctor <br />6060 Bro•tl w•y <br />Denver, Coloratlo 80216 ~R25-1192 <br />Mr. LeRoy Black <br />Ute Engineering L Surveying <br />443 Dodge <br />Delta, CO 91416 <br />Dear Mr. Black: <br />`pVARApp ~. <br />3~~' a~ <br />O,t, GF~ <br />November 19, 1980 <br />2300 S. Townsend <br />Montrose, LO 81401 <br />This letter is being sent on behalf of your request for an update on wildlife <br />impacts associated with the Bear Coal Mine, located east of Somerset, Colorado. <br />Historically, [he Bear Nine has had adverse impacts on primarily riparian and <br />aquatic resources. Traffic along the florth Fork Valley associated with the mine <br />has resulted in roadkills and disturbances to deer and elk and their migration <br />routes. The disturbances associated with surface mining facilities have result- <br />ed in a direct loss of wildlife habitat while emitting toxic elements into the <br />North Fork Gunnison River which have impacted fisheries. Coal slag, petroleum <br />• products and other agents continue to enter the river during runoff periods. <br />Because of the long history of the Bear Mine, most initial adverse impacts to <br />wildlife have already occurred. F!e continue to solicit Bear Coal Company to <br />maintain measures [o prevent any toxic elements associated with their mining <br />operation from reaching the river or adjacent wetlands. These measures include <br />installing retention dikes and ponds, not dumping coal slag over the bank and <br />keeping a vegetative buffer zone between the river and working areas. <br />Currently, the Northern Bald Eagle is the only rare or endangered wildlife <br />species inhabiting the area. It is a winter time resident and traverses the <br />river throughout the project area. I am not aware of any adverse problems <br />associated with the Bear Nine and the bald eagles. It would be advisable for <br />Bear Coal Company's management to remind their persofinel [hat fish and wildlife <br />are protected by statute and care should be exercised to prevent harassment to <br />wildlife, especially during the winter stress periods when animals are concen- <br />trated along the valley bottom. This is becoming increasingly important as <br />[he coal industry expands along the North Fork Valley. <br />Our Division encourages continued cooperation with Bear Coal Company to protect <br />wildlife resources so that coal and wildlife resources can be developed with <br />minimal adverse impacts. <br />Should you need additional input from our Division for Bear's M.L.R. update, <br />I'll need written details as to ti+hat information is desired, as well as the <br /> <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Monte Poscoe, E.ec utive Director WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Wilbur Redden, Chairman <br />Donald Fernandez, Vice Chairman • Jo mes Smith, Secretary • Jenn K. Tool, Member Vernon C. Williams, Member <br />Michael Hag be•., Member Sam Caudill, Member Richard D~velbi;s, Member <br />