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Mr. Joe Dttdnslt <br />Jnnuary 5, 1994 <br />Pnge G <br />3. As mentioned above, the existing underground mines are not proposed to disturb <br />wildlife habitats in the surrounding area. Therefore only minimal impacts to bear, lion and <br />turkey habitat are anticipated. The Permit Document has also been modified to reflect that <br />Basin Resources will advise all employees and contractors to avoid interactions with black <br />bears and mountain lions and dispose of any trash in an appropriate manner. Use of <br />pesticides will also be limited to minimize impacts on turkey populations. <br />4. Basin Resources is currently disposing of refuse material in permitted areas which are <br />a safe distance from the river. Basin has no plans or liabilities to remove refuse material <br />which may have been dumped on the river banks by previous operators under pre-law <br />conditions. <br />5. The Permit Document has been updated to reflect that the Purgatoire River is an <br />excellent fishery as assessed during the 1988 fish kill. Basin Resources monitors any mine <br />discharge and the water quantity and quality of side canyon streams as well as the Purgatoire <br />River. This monitoring has provided sufficient information to assess potential impacts on <br />the fishery. As a result, Basin feels that fishery monitoring is unnecessary for these mines. <br />Annual hydrology reports are submitted to and available from the Division of Minerals and <br />Geology. <br />6. The Permit Document has been updated to reflect additional information concerning <br />the peregrine falcon and river otter. Basin Resources agrees with the Division of Wildlife <br />that negative impacts on water quality, aquatic habitat, riparian habitat, or the existing <br />fishery would be minimized to any extent possible. <br />7. Sections of the New Elk Permit which Division of Wildlife has reviewed were <br />prepared in 1984 and included the proposal to add the RDA/prep plant expansion. As a <br />result, there may have been some confusion with what the current renewal was addressing. <br />The wildlife portion of the New Elk Permit has been revised to eliminate the inference of <br />expansion of surface facilities. With this modification and the information provided in the <br />Permit Document as identified above in issues 1 through 6, Basin feels that any additional <br />wildlife assessment at this time is unnecessary. Due to impacts on adjacent lands, the lack <br />of disturbance within the mine property will protect and enhance wildlife habitats and their <br />existing populations within the general area of the mines. Revised pages 2.04-31 through <br />34c are attached for inclusion into the Permit Document. <br />Colorado Natural Heritage Program <br />The information concerning the nysa roadside skipper (Amblyscirtes nysa) has been included <br />in the Permit Document. Basin agrees with the assessment provided by the Heritage <br />