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CHAPTER IV ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALTERNATIVES A. Alternative 1: Approval of the Proposed Miaiag Plaa Modification Critical Elements a. Cultural resources Approval of the proposed mining plan modification would result in the destruction of the nine known sites within the proposed amendment area. However, none of these sites are considered eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, and the impact upon cultural resource values would be minor. b. Water supply and quality values Surface water monitoring has not indicated any impacts to water quality from the existing Colowyo mining operations. No additional impacts to surface water would occur with approval of the proposed mining plan modification. The nearest aquifer under the mining zone is the Trout Creek aquifer, which underlies the coal by about B00 feet. Since no continuous aquifer exists within the depth of mining operations, no offsite impacts to groundwater quality would occur. e. Threatened or endangered species The proposed project, because it involves the containment of water for sediment control purposes, has the potential to impact the Colorado river squawfish, humpback chub, bonytail chub, and the razorback sucker. USFWS has determined that it is not likely, however, to jeopardize the continued existence of these species since Colowyo has contributed to the recovery program fund as requested by USFWS. f. Migratory birds of high Federal interest The Office of Surface Mining has prepared an assessment of impacts upon migratory birds of high Federal interest resulting from approval of the proposed mining plan modification (OSM, 1992b). Habitat more suitable for the five listed migratory species is located outside the proposed amendment area, thus the proposed mining plan modification would have no impact on the status of these species. 11