Laserfiche WebLink
Reclamation of the upper benches of the Coal Canyon refuse disposal areas reclaimed in 2002 <br />included distribution of surface rock as depicted on Figure 14-4, to enhance habitat for prey species <br />including cottontail rabbits, rodents, and reptiles. The specified rock replacement plan is considered <br />typical for other reclamation areas, to the extent that suitable rock is available. Rocks were distributed <br />on reclaimed surfaces on the RSRDA slopes and RSRDA soil borrow area in 2002, and the South Fan <br />slopes in 2000. Few rocks were placed on the reclaimed North Portal facility area due to the lack of <br />available rocks. <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. Disturbances to riparian habitat were limited to a narrow corridor <br />along the overland conveyor, and the lower margins of the unit train loadout. No additional <br />disturbance is proposed within this habitat type, and buffer zones have been established and marked <br />where existing disturbances are located adjacent to the Colorado River 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 bonytail. <br />Disturbed drainage areas are routed through sediment ponds, and both surface drainage and minewater <br />discharges are subject to specific discharge limits to protect water quality. No significant impacts to <br />quality or quantity of water in the Colorado River are projected as a result of the Roadside operation, <br />and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that operation is not likely to jeopardize the <br />continued existence of the endangered fish species and is not likely to destroy or adversely modify <br />designated critical habitat for the endangered fish species. <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 permittee has installed perch guards on power poles as <br />shown in Figure 2.05.6(2)A of the application. <br />Potential impacts to threatened and endangered species were reevaluated in association with PR-3. A <br />U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service "Final Biological Opinion" memorandum dated January 4, 2007 <br />documents the evaluation that was conducted, and concurs with an Office of Surface Mining <br />"Biological Assessment" determination that threatened and endangered species, other than the four <br />endangered fish species of the Colorado River, will not be affected by the operation. Snowcap Coal <br />Company, Inc., entered into a Recovery Agreement with the USFWS in association with the PR-3 <br />review, which allowed the USFWS to determine that the fish species would not likely be jeopardized <br />by the operation. The Recovery Agreement was determined to be an acceptable approach to <br />addressing potential impacts to the endangered fish species, based in part on updated water depletion <br />projections prepared by SCC, documenting that current and future water depletions to the Colorado <br />River associated with the operation would be less than 100 acre-feet per year (actual estimated <br />depletion was 22.1 acre-feet per year). The updated depletion estimate is included in Section 2.05.6, <br />Tab 16 of the permit application. The USFWS Biological Opinion and Recovery Agreement <br />documents are included as Appendix 11-1 <br />The proposed operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. Operational plans and <br />water depletion projections were not revised in association with the PR-4 review. <br />Permit Revision No. 4 47 February 3, 2009