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Topaz Mine Permit Expansion: Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species Evaluation <br />EXECUTIVE SUMMARY <br />International Uranium Corporation (IUC) currently operates the Topaz Mine in Big Gypsum <br />Valley, San Miguel County, Colorado, under a 110 Permit (Hard Rock Limited Impact) from the <br />Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety <br />(DRMS). IUC proposes to expand operations at the Topaz Mine, which will require a DRMS <br />112 Permit (Hard Rock Regular Operations). The expansion would result in site disturbance of <br />approximately 2.37 additional acres of public land administered by the Bureau of Land <br />Management (BLM). DRMS and BLM must authorize the IUC Plan of Operations, and BLM and <br />DRMS are required to identify and evaluate the potential impacts of the authorization on <br />threatened, endangered, and sensitive species. <br />We evaluated potential effects of the proposed permit expansion to species federally listed as <br />endangered, threatened, or candidates for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Bald <br />eagles (federally threatened) may occasionally visit the project area, but no nests or known <br />roosts are at or near the area. A slight chance of minor disturbance to foraging bald eagles <br />exists during construction of the expansion. The project may affect bald eagles, but is unlikely <br />to adversely affect bald eagles because of discountable effects. Mexican spotted owls <br />(federally threatened) do not occur at or near the site, and the project would not affect Mexican <br />spotted owls. Four species of federally endangered Colorado River fish (Colorado pikeminnow, <br />razorback sucker, humpback chub, and bonytail), and federally designated critical habitat for the <br />4 species, occur in the Colorado River downstream of the project area. However, endangered <br />Colorado River fish will not be adversely affected because the project would not result in water <br />depletions or changes in water quality in the Colorado River. <br />We evaluated potential impacts of the proposed permit expansion to Colorado BLM-designated <br />sensitive species with potential to occur in or near the project area. The project would not result <br />in adverse impacts to ferruginous hawk, Gunnison sage-grouse, two frog species, or 6 bat <br />species. The project could potentially cause mortality of a few individual midget faded <br />rattlesnakes or sensitive plant species. However, these impacts are unlikely, and if mortality <br />occurred it would not result in measurable changes in population size or distribution of any <br />sensitive species. <br />BIO-Logic Environmental <br />March 27, 2007 <br />