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• The northern bald eagle is a winter resident along the <br />North Fork, and is the only rare or endangered wildlife <br />species in the area. Endangered fishes inhabiting the <br />Colorado River could be jeopardized by water depletions <br />in the Upper Colorado River Basin; however, BCC will <br />contribute to the a fund to protect these endangered <br />fishes as required by a special condition of the mining <br />plan approval. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in <br />its biological opinion dated May 31, 1994, determined <br />that the contribution will offset the potential impacts <br />to the endangered fishes. <br />6. Migratory Birds of High Federal Interest <br />In addition to bald eagles, other raptors use the area for <br />nesting and as a prey base. BCC conducted a raptor survey <br />for nesting in rock outcrops above the proposed workings and <br />found no evidence of any raptor nesting. The proposed <br />mining plan modification will not affect any migratory birds <br />of high Federal interest. <br />7. Renewable Resources and Unique Agricultural Values <br />No unique agricultural values, including prime farmlands, <br />occur in the mining plan modification area. The area has <br />some patchy stands of Aspen and Douglas fir, but it is <br />• undeveloped land used as wildlife habitat. No renewable <br />resources would be affected by the mining plan modification. <br />8. Recreational Resources <br />There are no important fragile lands as defined in 30 CFR <br />§ 762.5 containing natural, ecologic, scientific aesthetic <br />resources, or natural systems in the permit and adjacent <br />areas. Mule deer and elk, the most prominent big game <br />species, utilize the mountain shrub habitat in and adjacent <br />to the mining plan modification area throughout the year, <br />thus the area may be used by hunters. The mining plan <br />modification will not affect the recreational values of the <br />area. <br />9. Social and Economic Values <br />The Bear No. 3 mine directly employs 50 people in the local <br />community and is part of a local economy that depends on the <br />mining industry as a substantial part of its support. The <br />mining plan modification will allow mining operations to <br />continue for an additional 2 years and the continued <br />employment of the miners. <br />• <br />14 <br />