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• Alamosa, Colorado area (Drewien, 1980); however, none have been identified near the <br />mine site. The presence of a whooping crane on the mine site would be a highly unusual <br />occurrence. <br />3.7.6.3 Fish <br />Although no recent records of threatened or endangered fish species have been recorded <br />in the mine permit area, concern has arisen as to potential impact due to water depletions <br />downstream in the Colorado River basin where these species are known to exist. Historic <br />use of water on the NCIG site has been 395 acre-feet for irrigation purposes diverted from <br />Canyon Creek. The Operator pumped some water directly from the Colorado River for the <br />mine operation (Table 4.3-3); however, the net consumptive use is quite small. <br />Consumption of water at the reclaimed mine is the total of the consumptive use of the <br />irrigated alfalfa field and the evaporative loss from the sediment pond. The dead storage <br />in the sediment pond totals 0.66 acres. The evaporative loss from the pond totals <br />approximately 1.8 acre feet per year based on an evaporative loss of 33 inches per year <br />(Plate 4. supplied by the Division of Water Resources). According to data published by the <br />NRCS, Alfalfa consumes 30.56 inches per year in the Glenwood Springs area. Since the <br />• operator is irrigating approximately 14.8 acres, approximately 37.7 acre feet per year are <br />consumed (14.8 x 30.56 =12). The total consumptive use at the mine totals 39.5 acre feet <br />per year (1.8 + 37.7). <br />Colorado River Cutthroat Trout (Salmo clarki pleuriticus). State Threatened Species and <br />Federal Candidate Species. This fish is presently known to occupy Cunningham Creek, <br />a tributary of the Frying Pan River, in Pitkin County and Northwater Creek, a tributary of <br />Parachute Creek, in Garfield County. Specific habitat requirements are streams with <br />moderate gradient, abundant riparian vegetation and rocky to gravelly substrates. Cover <br />such as undercut banks, overhanging vegetation and in-stream boulders are important. <br />Minimum water depth should be 6 feet. Neither Alkali and South Canyon Creeks nor the <br />reaches of the Colorado River in the area of proposed facilities meet these requirements. <br />Razorback Sucker ~rauchen texanus). State Threatened Species and Federal Candidate <br />Species. The razorback presently occupies the Yampa, Colorado, and Gunnison Rivers. <br />It prefers soft substrates, warmer water and backwaters and has no particular, vegetation <br />requirements. <br />• <br />NCIG -Coal Ridge k1 3-93 10/01 <br />