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INFORMAL GUIDANCE <br />ON <br />PREPARATION OF WATER DEPLETION ESTIMATES <br />FOR T'HE COLORADO RIVER ENDANGERED FISH <br />RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM <br />OSM had developed the following informal guidance regazding the prepazation of water depletion <br />estimates: <br />Water depletion estimates for coal mining operations in the Upper Colorado River Basis <br />should factor in the following water uses as well as others that aze specific to each project: <br />A -Considering that you obtain water from the following sources: <br />Water pumped from streams/rivers. <br />Alluvial aquifer pumpage <br />Deep aquifer pumpage where such aquifers are connected io surface waters <br />B -Calculate the amount of wa~.er, in acre feet, used for the following activities: <br />Haul road dust suppression <br />Dust suppression on other roads <br />Other dust suppression activities <br />Pond evaporation <br />Pit water evaporation <br />Underground mining dust suppression <br />Conveyor sprays <br />Bathhouse consumptio:. <br />Power plant boiler water use <br />Domestic/potab!~ water use <br />Coal processing/cleaningcpnsumption <br />Ventilation fan moisture output <br />C -The sum of the water uses for each activity is your water depletion estimate. <br />The water depletion should be based on the maximum anticipated annual coal production <br />rate approved by the State RA. Some of the factors listed above aze overlapping, therefore <br />each operator should develop their water depletion estimate based on the site conditions at <br />the mine giving full consideration to each factor as it ~s present at the mine. The water <br />depletion estimate pertains to the amount of water available in the Colorado River for use by <br />endangered fish species regardless of water rights held by interested parties. Therefore, it is <br />not appropriate to reduce the depletion estimate based on water augmentation from water <br />rights or other sources. Applicants may wish to cor,`er with George Smith, USFWS, <br />Regional Hydrologist [303.236.5322 ext 235] to discuss any details related to preparing the <br />water depletion estimate. <br />OSM recommends that the water depletion estimate be included in the State or Federal <br />permit application. It should be included in the hydrology information section and be <br />referenced in the wildlife section of the permit application where impacts to T and E species <br />are discussed. <br />I:\PSD\WP\FL.B\L.GIC\waterdeplet.wpd <br />