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t STATE OF COLORADO <br />fllther0 D. Lemm, Governor <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE <br />Jack R. Grle b, Dlre clot <br />6060 l3 ro •tlw ay <br />Denver, Coloratlo 80216 625-1192 <br /> <br />Mr. LeRoy Black <br />Ute Engineering L Surveying <br />443 Dodge <br />Delta, CO 91416 <br />NOV 2U ?~ <br />Figure 2.nd.11(3i <br />page 1 of 2 <br />Flovember 1 ~3 , 1980 <br />2300 S. Townsend <br />Montrose, I;0 81401 <br />Dear Mr. Black: <br />This letter is being sent on behalf of your request for an update on wildlife <br />impacts associated with the Bear Coal Mine, located east of Somerset, Colorado. <br />Historically, the Bear Mine has had adverse impacts on primarily riparian and <br />aquatic resources. Traffic along the North Fork Valley associated with [he mine <br />has resulted in roadkills and disturbances to deer and elk and [heir migration <br />routes. The disturbances associated with surface mining facilities have result- <br />ed in a direct loss of wildlife habitat while emitting toxic elements into the <br />North Fork Gunnison River which have impacted fisheries. Coal slag, petroleum <br />products and other agents continue to enter [he river during runoff periods. <br />' Because of the long history of the Bear Mine, most initial adverse impacts to <br />wildlife have already occurred. 4/e continue to solicit Bear Coal Company [o <br />maintain measures to prevent any toxic elements associated with their mining <br />operation from reaching the river or adjacent wetlands. These measures include <br />installing retention dikes and ponds, not dumping coal slag over the bank and <br />keeping a vegetative buffer zone between the river and working areas. <br />Currently, the Northern Bald Eagle is the only rare or endangered wildlife <br />species inhabiting the area. It is a winter time resident and traverses the <br />river throughout the project area. I am not aware of any adverse problems <br />' associated with the Bear 11ine and the bald eagles. It would be advisable for <br />Bear Coal Company's management to remind their personnel that fish and wildlife <br />are protected by statute and care should be exercised [o prevent harassment to <br />' wildlife, especially during [he winter stress periods when animals are concen- <br />trated along the valley bottom. This is becoming increasingly important as <br />the coal industry expands along the tlorth Fork Valley. <br />Our Division encourages continued cooperation with Bear Coal Company to protect <br />wildlife resources so [hat coal and wildlife resources can be developed with <br />minimal adverse impacts. <br />Should you need additional input from our Division for Bear's M.L.R. update, <br />I'I1 need written details as to 1~~ha[ information ,is desired, as well as the <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES. Monte Pascoe, E.ec urive Director WILDLIFE COMMISSION,Wilbvr Redden, Chairman <br />Donald Fernandez, Vice Chairman • James Smith, Secr,~la~y • Jeon K. Tool, Member Vernon C. Williams, Member <br />Mirhnel H~a h- ~. Member • Som Caudill. Member • Richard Divelbiss, Member <br />