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• 3. Wetland values There are no areas containing wetland values in the mining plan modification area. 4. Floodplains, Areas of Unstable Geology, and Natural Hazards There are no areas subject to frequent flooding in the mining plan modification area. The canyon walls of the North Fork are covered with numerous landslide deposits. A study conducted in 1986 concluded that the general mass movement mechanism was small, shallow slope failures rather than large, deep failures. The report also concluded that landslide features above the Bear No. 3 Mine are currently unstable and that failures will occur regardless of subsidence effects. There are no slide bodies of concern in the mining plan modification area. 5. Threatened or Endangered Species The northern bald eagle is a winter resident along the North Fork, and is the only rare or endangered wildlife species in the area. The North Fork River is in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Endangered fishes inhabiting the Colorado River could be jeopardized by • water depletions in the Upper Colorado River Basin. 6. Migratory Birds of High Federal Interest In addition to bald eagles, other raptors use the area for nesting and as a prey base. BCC conducted a raptor survey for nesting in rock outcrops above the proposed workings and found no evidence of any raptor nesting. 7. Renewable Resources and Unique Agricultural Values No unique agricultural values, including prime farmlands, occur in the mining plan modification area. The area has some stands of Aspen and Douglas fir, but it is managed as wildlife habitat. 8. Recreational Resources There are no important fragile lands as defined in 30 CFR § 762.5 containing natural, ecologic, scientific aesthetic resources, or natural systems in the permit and adjacent areas. Mule deer and elk, the most prominent big game species, utilize the mountain shrub habitat in and adjacent to the mining plan modification area throughout the year, thus the area may be used by hunters. • 11