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~~. A~ <br />~~, <br />(.,/ <br />~l_~!~ fl J;; <br />#« <br />United States Department of the In <br />IN REPLY REFER TO: <br />ES/CO: FS/GMUG <br />Tails 65413-2007-I-0141 <br />FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE <br />Ecological Services <br />764 Horizon Drive, Building B <br />Grand Junction, Colorado 81506-3946 <br />August 2, 2007 <br />Charles S. Richmond <br />Forest Supervisor <br />Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests <br />2250 Highway 50 <br />Delta, Colorado 81416 <br />Dear Mr. Richmond: <br />~~~ <br />~- <br />This responds to your July 3, 2007, correspondence, received July 6, 2007, regarding the <br />biological assessment of the effects of the Deer Creek Shaft and E Seam Methane Drainage <br />• Wells Project on Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis), bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), <br />Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus Lucius), razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), bonytail <br />(Gila elegans), and the humpback chub (Gila cypha). The project occurs on the Paonia Ranger <br />District of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. <br />The proposed action will result in a 3 acre-feet depletion from the upper Colorado River basin. <br />The Service completed consultation with the GMUG NF for small water depletions specific to <br />mineral development. Biological opinion number (ES/GJ-6-CO-99-F-033-CP062) as amended <br />April 27, 2007, requires the Forest to provide the Service with an annual report of water <br />depletions associated with projects addressed in the BO. The annual report submitted to the <br />Service for year 2006 water depletions totaled 17.5 acre-feet. The current proposed action meets <br />the criteria under the programmatic BO and should be included in the annual report for year <br />2007. <br />The biological assessment states that there are no bald eagle nests or roost sites located within <br />the project area. However, approximately 85 acres of the project area has been identified as <br />winter forage habitat for the eagles. During winter months bald eagle may feed on carrion within <br />the project area. The proposed action may result in minor disturbances to feeding eagles through <br />construction noise, and traffic associated with construction of project components and well <br />monitoring. The GMUG NF has concluded that these disturbances are unlikely to result in <br />significant effects to foraging eagles. The Service concurs that the proposed action "may affect". <br />but is "not likely to adversely affect" the bald eagle. <br />• <br />