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r] miles downstream as the applicant has said. The Golden Eagles are nesting less than I/4 mile south of the mine site." (Van Norstrand; April 5 & May 8, 2001) DMG Response -The applicant has provided written verification that representatives of the Colorado Division of Wildlife have reviewed the application and plans for the proposed mining operation, have inspected the proposed site and surrounding area, and find no evidence to substantiate the assertion of nearby nesting eagles. The DOW has also not provided any written evidence of possible negative impacts to fish and/or wildlife in the affected land or surrounding area. Issues Raised After The Initial Public Comment Period (During the Informal Conference Comment Period) Exhibit G- Water Information: 5. " ... wrong floodplain information." (Landers; June l4, 2001) DMG Response -The applicant has conducted and provided an engineering analysis to predict the locations of the floodways of Trout Creek and the Yampa River in the vicinity of the proposed operation. The floodways were determined with HEC-RAS v. 2.2 Analysis using site specific, surveyed cross-sections. The method of "equal conveyance" (HEC-RAS encroachment method 4) and a maximum allowable rise of 1.0 feet, as defined by FEMA for determination of the floodway, was used to determine the lateral limits of the floodway. Aeral adjustments and flow inputs were used based on the location of appropriate USGS gauging stations, per the USGS web site. The engineering analysis verifies that all pit excavations will be outside the limits of the floodways for Trout Creek and [he Yampa River. Trout Creek is extemely stable. Evidence of streambank erosion, indicative of a stream's tendency to migrate laterally, is virtually non-exis[ant. The engineering flood analysis performed on Trout Creek for the proposed operation showed that the 100-year flood flows are contained within the banks of Trout Creek. The proposed 50' setback from the streambank of Trout Creek should be more than sufficient to keep Trout Creek from entering into the pit. The Yampa River will be 200 - 250' or more away from the northernmost edge of the proposed excavation. While some lateral migration of the Yampa River at this location can occur, a buffer of 200 - 250' or more is very large and should be more than adequate to minimize the potential for the river entering the pit. Near bank veclocities in the river at this location during a 100-year flood event are relaively slow, ie; typically 3-5 fps with a maximum of 6-8 fps. The combination of channel shape along with the presence of gravels in the stream banks and moderate velocities indicate the streambank is at a low risk of rapid lateral migration. Therefore, bank erosion of only a few feet during a high water event can be expected.