2009-02-04_APPLICATION CORRESPONDENCE - C2008086

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Construction of the railroad spur would require construction of bridges. One bridge would cross Mack Wash and would be supported by concrete-capped piles with a center support in Mack Wash. Another bridge would be constructed over the Highline Canal, also supported by concrete-capped piles. The mine operations would require water, electricity, and access roads. Adequate water resources for operations are not available at the Red Cliff Mine site, so water must be piped to the mining operation. CAM has a 3.0 cubic foot per second (cfs) absolute water right on Mack Wash, near Mack (Case Number 03CW228). A portion of those waters, totaling approximately 724 acre-feet per year (approximately 1 cfs), would be piped to the Red Cliff Mine site for use during mining operations. Due to the nature and location of CAM's water rights, the point of diversion must be on Mack Wash below (downstream of) more senior water rights. According to CAM, there are no feasible alternatives to diverting the water from Mack Wash at other upstream sites. A water diversion structure would be constructed in-channel on the west bank of Mack Wash, just north of the CR M.8 Bridge on CAM owned land. The pump and waterline system would have a maximum capacity of approximately 750 gallons per minute (gpm). The diversion/pump would be connected to a meter and water pipeline: The pipeline would be constructed of steel and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and would be buried along the railroad spur alignment. It would extend to a water tank above the mine portals. This pipeline would supply all of the water needs for the mine operation and would be pumping water, more or less, continuously throughout the year. The system would remain in operation for the life of the mine. Best Management Practices (BMPs) would be utilized during construction to minimize impacts to in-channel and riparian habitat and to prevent bank degradation. CAM will obtain a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers (COE) prior to constructing the diversion structure in Mack Wash. Approximately nine roads to the mine sites would provide access for a variety of uses. The roads would be plated with gravel surfacing or would be paved. To control fugitive emissions, roads would be watered using water from the water pipeline and cleaned as necessary. Dust suppression would be used on heavily traveled roads to control air pollution. Electric power is needed at the mine to run the underground mining machinery, the conveyor system, and the other mine support facilities. CAM would contract with Grand Valley Power (GVP), the local utility, to supply the necessary electric power. The transmission line would be approximately 14 miles long, with approximately 7 miles on federally managed lands and 7 miles on private land. All surface facilities associated with the mine are described in detail in the BA, pages 4 through 8. Action Area Our regulations define the action area as all areas directly or indirectly affected. by the Federal action and not merely the immediate area involved in the action 50 CFR 402.02).