Laserfiche WebLink
18 • <br />)• <br />chemical concentrations resulting from mine operations is difficult, <br />and conclusions tenuous, because of the general lack of meaningful <br />standards for the protection of aquatic life (Davies, pers. comm. 1980). <br />Of perhaps more concern in considering impacts on stream habitats <br />are possibilities for causing increased sedimentation in the stream. <br />Suspended and settleable solids can adversely affect fish populations. <br />Damage to spawning sites and coating of benthic (bottom) food organisms <br />are examp:es of the many problems associated with an excess of suspended <br />and settleable solids. <br />Some of the point and non-point sources of increased sedimentation <br />include construction of diversions and ponds for various purposes in or <br />C ) near the Purgatoire drainage, excavations and soil surface shaping for • <br />buildings or other purposes, road construction, and erosion of refuse <br />piles (reclaimed or untreated). Mine discharge should not contribute <br />to the problem of suspended and settleable solids as long as NP DES <br />effluent standards are observed. <br />Endangered Species <br />The peregrine falcon is a possible spring and fall migrant in the <br />Purgatoire River drainage, although no recent sightings have been <br />r~zported there. Peregrines have been reported along I-25 near Trinidad <br />30 miles east of the mines and in Berwin and Del Agua canyons northwest <br />of Trinidad (Holder, pers. comm.). Bald eagles winter in the vicinity <br />of Stonewall and are occasionally observed at other locations along the <br />1 Purgatoire River where there are large cottonwoods. Golden eagles are <br />