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CESPK-CO-R Public Notice Number 199475346 While mining riparian and upland azeas would avoid excavation activities within the Animas River, these areas provide a finite and nonreplenishable source of material and can result in additional or different types of negative impacts. Such impacts may include the loss of riparian vegetation, interception and exposing of ground water, and an increased number of other mine locations and associated secondary impacts (such as habitat loss, bank destabilization, loss of flood control functions, noise, traffic, dust and visual aesthetics). Alternati~~e methods of mining or mining at other locations have not been identified by the applicant, however, six additional instream sand and gravel mining activities occur in the Animas lover valley (see "Additional Information" section below). The applicant operates two of these which are smaller point bar excavations located downstream referred to as the Walker and Willow Bend Pits. Another operation, known as the Hermosa Meadows Pit located immediately upstream of the Dalton Pit, is often contracted out to the applicant to perform :instream excavation activities. AREA IIFSCRIPTION: The project site is located at the Animas River approximately seven miles north of Durango beginning just upstream (north) of the Trimble Lane Bride on County F:oad 252. This site, referred to as the Dalton Pit, contains 67 acres of the Animas River an~i associated riparian areas with typical active mining operations encompassing approximately 13 acres at any one time. The permitted area is approximately 6,000 feet in length w:.th an average channel width of approxrmately 472 feet. The Animas River, at this location, is at an elevation of approximately 6,560 feet msl and drains a 652 square mile azea. Cottonwoods dominate the riparian communities along the river banks with an understory of upland grasses. The average annual bankfull discharge is approximately 4,240 cubic feet-per-second (cfs) with high flows usually occumng in the spring between the months of April and July. High flows can also occur during later summer rains as evidenced by a record 25,000 cfs which occurred on October 5, 1911, as measured at the USGS stream gage located at Durango. Wildlife which frequent this site include elk, mule deer, small mammals and various waterfoui and passerine bird species. A 1981 fish study was performed approximately two miles up:>tream and reported trout, suckers, and carp. In general, fisheries rn the Animas River north of Durango is poor. The Colorado Division of Wildlife has identified heavy metals, high silt load, and high water velocities as the limiting factors for fisheries in the river north of Durango. Increasing development surrounds the site. Floodplain azeas are zoned River Corridor in the Animas River Valley Land Use Plan. The Dalton Golf Course and housing development and Hermosa Meadows Camper Pazk is located drrectly west and northwest of the site. Immediately upstream, river bars aze also mined at the Hermosa Meadows Pit. Immediately downstream (south of Trimble Bridge) is a reclaimed instream sand and gravel pit known as the Mesz, Pit operated by Burnett Construction, still active as a processing site. East of the river is l;enerally rural residential.