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X2.04 APPLICATION FOR PERMIT FOR SURFACE OR UNDERGROUND MINING ACTIVITIES -- MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR INFORMATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES. 2.04.11 Fish and Wildlife Resources Information. (Cont'd.) (1) (Cont'd.) Uniqueness At present there is no evidence of any uniqueness of the North Fork in terms of aquatic habitats, especially high productivi- ty of desirable aquatic life, or aquatic species or communi- ties in the Paonia Study area. Aquatic habitats of the North Fork in the vicinity of the Highway 187 bridge crossing to Paonia have been highly dis- turbed by man and do not present any unioue habitat for spe- cies, communities, or productivity. Aquatic habitats in the river above and below the silo and railroad spur crossing, are similar to areas above and below this section and do not pre- sent unique habitat. The drainage of Stevens Gulch to [he North Forlc is dry most of the time except in the very lower 150 yards~(which is dry park of Che year) and presents no unique habitat. Because Main Roatcap Creek to the North Fork is dry for the most part, due to flows diverted upstream for irrigation, it also presents no unique habitat. Terror Creek is a perennial stream and flows year round with contributions . from reservoirs upstream. Though the flows are perennial, the steep topography of the streambed causes a constriction of flows and creates a narrow area of riparian vegetation, thus presenting no unique habitat. The shallow pond, riparian habitat located along the river's edge can be considered of high value for wildlife and is not common in the vicinity of Paonia although similar habitat oc- curs in several locations along the river's length. Threatened and Endangered Species Based on available macrobenthic and fish sampling and conver- sations with biologists of [he area, productivity of fish life or benthic food supply does not appear to be especially high, nor is there any evidence of unique assemblages of aquatic or- ganisms or species that qualify as threatened or endangered either on a national or statewide basis. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service has, however, identified three threatened or endangered fish species which do not in- habit the North Fork of the Gunnison River, but may be affect- ed by a depletion of flows caused by CWI's operations in the Upper Colorado River Basin. See Section 2.05.6(2 )Ca)(iii)(A) for further information. • Added 12/26184 Revised 12/26/84 Revised 10/01/87 83