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the application <br />Portions of the permit area north of the Colorado River provide severe winter range for a portion of <br />[he Roan Creek mule deer herd. The western third of the permit area makes up a small part of the <br />Little Bookcliffs Wild Horse Area. Neither the mule deer nor [he wild horse population will be <br />impacted significantly by mining, due to the limited extent of additional surface disturbance proposed. <br />Final 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 [he Wildlife Habitat Map (Exhibit <br />25). The area used by the peregrines for nesting is along a cliffface in Coal Gulclt, 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 cliff face 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 after <br />1998 will incorporate distribution of surface rock as depicted on Figure 14-4, to enhance habitat <br />for prey species including cottontail rabbits, rodents, and reptiles. The specified rock <br />replacement plan is considered typical for other reclamation areas, to the extent that suitable <br />rock is available. <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. Willowltamarisk vegetation along the river in the permit area <br />provides potential habitat for the endangered willow flycatcher. Disturbances to this habitat type were <br />limited to a narrow corridor along the overland conveyor, and the lower margins of the unit train <br />loadout. No additional disturbance is proposed within this habitat type, and buffer zones have been <br />established and marked where existing disturbances are located adjacent to the Colorado River <br />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 <br />Boneytail Chub. Disturbed drainage areas are routed through sediment ponds, and both surface <br />drainage and minewater discharges aze subject to specific discharge limits to protect water quality. <br />No significant impacts to quality or quantity of water in the Colorado River are projected as a result <br />of the Roadside operation, and fish populations will not be impacted. <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 petmittee has installed perch guards on power poles <br />as shown in Figure 2.05.6(2)A of the application. <br />The proposed operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. <br />43 <br />