|
s'cci$t/c~f til,~,~ 17.E-~~,?~ .
<br />Subsidence resulting from the proposed underground mining will have very little or no impact on most wildlife
<br />species and their habitats. The one possible exception is the, potential for portions of the Twentymile Sandstone
<br />cliffs to become unstable, which could result in some rock falls or toppling. These cliffs serve as nesting habitat
<br />for raptors. As shown on Map 23, approximately 5,000-6,000 feet of these cliffs will be undermined along
<br />Routt County Road 27.
<br />Raptor nesting surveys completed by the USFWS in the early 1980's show a number of nests in the azea to be
<br />undermined. The 1982 USFWS survey shows two inactive Golden Eagle nests, three inactive buteo nests, and ,
<br />two active Red-tailed Hawk nests in the azea to be undermined; The surveys alsoirevealed an active Red-tailed
<br />Hawk nest and the same active Pr,'airie Falcon aerie to the northeast, of the proposed mine area.
<br />The above-referenced surveys, plus field observations by TCC personnel over the past ten years, reveal that the
<br />Golden Eagle aeries have remained inactive. The Redtail Hawks have continued to nest in the azea, but use a
<br />number of alternate nest 'sites. The Prairie Falcon aerie has remained active, and is well outside the azea to be
<br />subsided.
<br />As agreed with USFWS, there is little potential for permanent impacts to the Red-tailed Hawks because of the
<br />number of alternate nest sites. Under the agreement, however, TCC will conduct nesting surveys prior to
<br />mining under the cliffs, if mining is to occw during any nesting season (February to July). If an active raptor
<br />nest is identified for a species of interest, then the USFWS will be contacted so that a "take" permit can be
<br />obtained to remove or prevent access to the nest during the period of subsidence. '
<br />No significant impacts to wildlife are expected as a result of subsidence. Some subsidence will occw under Fish
<br />Creek in Twentymite Park, however, it will be predictable and should not cause any resultant change's in
<br />vegetational communities, with the possible exception that small azeas of upland vegetation adjacent to active
<br />stream channels may be converted to transitional riparian communities due to increased moistwe. Monitoring
<br />of subsidence will be conducted as described in the response to Rule 2.05.6(6).
<br />• EMD (Pane12-Right through 6-Right, PR97-04) ,
<br />The Colorado Division of Wildlife was contacted to deternilne if any raptors could be nesting in the sandstone
<br />outcrop along Routt County Road 27, or in the sandstone outcrop areas along Middle Creek. The result of the
<br />inquiry is presented in Exhibit 19A, Raptor Survey, Eastern Mining District. All of the nest sites, whether they
<br />are inactive, active, or occupied alternate nest sites, are located in Sections 33 and 34, Township 5 North, Range
<br />86West. These sites will not be distwbed in the next five years; however, these sites will be monitored prior to
<br />longwall mining in the azea, and mitigation procedwes will be established and implemented at that time, as
<br />appropriate
<br />In addition to the information presented in Exhibit 19A, TCC contracted with Mr. John Monazch, of Monarch &
<br />Associates to do a raptor survey along Middle Creek. This was done in conjunction with his ongoing survey
<br />work of the Twentymile sandstone cliffs in the southwest mining district. The results of the survey are
<br />presented in Exhibit 19B. No T & E species were noted to inhabit this area to be undermined and subsided. No
<br />bald eagles were observed in area to be impacted by mining.
<br />On June 25, 1997, Mr. Terry Ireland, of the Grand Junction Office of the USFWS, was contacted to identify any
<br />currently listed Threatened or Endangered species potentially occurring within the project area. Mr. Ireland
<br />identified two listed species as potential inhabitants of Township 5 North, Range 86 West, 6a' Principle
<br />Meridian, Sniranthes diluvialis (LJte Lady's Tresses), and Halieaeetus leucoceQhalus (Bald Eagle). In addition,
<br />the Upper Colorado River Basin has been identified as providing critical habitat for fow Endangered fish
<br />species: Pvtchocheilus Lucius (Colorado Squawfish), Gila cvnha {Humpback Chub), Gila eleeans (Bonytail
<br />Chub) and Xvrauchen texanus (Razorback Sucker). Lastly, two Candidate species were noted for the azea:
<br />Boreal toad and Lvnx Canadensis (Canada lynx). Amore recent (October 2006) check of the USFWS
<br />Endangered Species List for Routt County indicates that the following species are identified as potentially
<br />occurring within the County: Bald Eagle, Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanusl, Bonytail chub,
<br />PR06-07 2.04-80 11/07/06
<br />
|