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XI. Protection of Fish, Wildlife and Related Environmental Values <br />Fish and Wildlife Resources Information is contained in Section 2.04.1 I ofTab 11, Volume 3, ofthe <br />application. The Fish and Wildlife Plan is included within Section 2.05.6(2), Tab 16, Volume 5, of <br />the application. <br />Portions ofthe permit area north of the Colorado River provide severe winter range for a portion ofthe <br />Roan Creek mule deer herd. The western third of the permit area makes up a small part of the Little <br />Bookcliffs Wild Horse Area. Neither the mule deer nor the wild horse population will be impacted <br />significantly by mining, due to the limited extent of additional surface disturbance proposed. Final <br />reclamation as proposed will restore habitat and forage for these species. <br />The canyon walls in the general vicinity of the operation provide potential nesting habitat for raptors, <br />and there is an active peregrine falcon nesting use area located on the Wildlife Habitat Map (Exhibit <br />25). The area used by the peregrines for nesting is along a cliff face in Coal Gulch, near the north end <br />of Mount Lincoln. A portion of the cliff face, which has been used in recent years, is within the <br />permit area. The existing and proposed surface facilities are located along the river and at the lower <br />end of Coal Canyon. The facility areas are removed by at least 200 yards from potential raptor nesting <br />areas, and at least 500 yards from the cliffface where peregrine nesting has been documented. The <br />presence of Interstate 70 through DeBeque Canyon may already have impacted raptors to some degree. <br />No additional impacts associated with mining activities are anticipated with respect to raptor nesting. <br />Reclamation of the upper benches of the Coal Canyon refuse disposal areas reclaimed in 2002 <br />included distribution of surface rock as depicted on Figure 14-4, to enhance habitat for prey species <br />including cottontail rabbits, rodents, and reptiles. The specified rock replacement plan is considered <br />typical for other reclamation areas, to the extent that suitable rock is available. Rocks were distributed <br />on reclaimed surfaces on the RSRDA slopes and RSRDA soil borrow area in 2002, and the South Fan <br />slopes in 2000. Few rocks were placed on the reclaimed North Portal facility area due to the lack of <br />available rocks. <br />Riparian habitat along the Colorado River through the permit area provides nesting cover for mallard <br />ducks and Canada geese, and the river is used by numerous waterfowl species during spring and fall <br />migrations and during the winter. Disturbances to riparian habitat were limited to a narrow corridor <br />along the overland conveyor, and the lower mazgins of the unit train loadout. No additional <br />disturbance is proposed within this habitat type, and buffer zones have been established and marked <br />where existing disturbances are located adjacent to the Colorado River riparian zone. <br />The river itself is classed as a warm water fishery and may support populations of four threatened and <br />endangered fish; the Colorado pikeminnow, the razorback sucker, the humpback chub, and bonytail . <br />Disturbed drainage areas are routed through sediment ponds, and both surface drainage and minewater <br />discharges are subject to specific discharge limits to protect water quality. No significant impacts to <br />quality or quantity of water in the Colorado River are projected as a result of the Roadside operation, <br />and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that operation is not likely to jeopardize the <br />continued existence of the endangered fish species and is not likely to destroy or adversely modify <br />designated critical habitat for the endangered fish species. <br />The application indicates that both bald and golden eagles inhabit the permit area. In order to protect <br />these and other raptors from electrocution, the permittee has installed perch guards on power poles as <br />shown in Figure 2.05.6(2)A of the application. <br />Permit Revision No. 3 Perini[ No. C-1981-041 <br />July 30, 2007 page 49 <br />