1988-04-29_PERMIT FILE - C1981008A (59)

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benefit. No habitat critical to the continued existence of any Federal or State listed Threatened or Endangered species is present in the permit area. Plants of special concern area addressed in Tab 10, Addendum 10-3. However, within the permit area occur two habitats of relative importance to several wildlife species which are a result of or directly related to agriculture. These are the swale areas supporting willow and cattail growth and the farmsteads and orchards (see Tab 11, Addendum 11-2). Within the context of the postmine land use, the reclamation objectives will return irrigated and dryland pasture in the permit area. Hedgerows will be planted on a portion of the internal field borders and willows will be planted as necessary in any disturbances to the swale running north to south in the western half of the permit area. At this time, this swale is only anticipated to receive minor disturbances, thus maintaining much of the willow and cattail components in the present stand. Several areas of cottonwoods and mulberry are to be established (see Exhibit 22-2 in Tab 22). Protection of Fish and Wildlife Resources Threatened or endangered species. The baseline wildlife studies (Tab 11, Addendum 11-2) did not reveal any habitat critical to the continued existence of any threatened or endangered species (Federal or State listings). Two listed endangered species, bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) were documented in or near the study area during baseline investigations. Both species occur in the study area only as transient individuals during migration. The permit area does not provide important nesting, foraging or roosting habitat for either species. The measures presented in the following discussions are designed to protect individuals of these species that may occur on the permit area during mining and related activities. General Wildlife Protection Measures. The following measures are designed to protect and enhance the general wildlife resource during and after mining. These measures center on wildlife populations. Fish and fish habitat are lacking on the permit area, therefore, there will be no direct impact to fish populations as a result of mining and related activities in the Nucla East expansion area. Water runoff and sediment are controlled on the mine site pursuant to National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits (refer to Tab 13, Facilities and Tab 17, Probable Hydrologic Consequences). Consequently, there will be no negative impacts on any fish populations down-drainage from the mine site, either during mining or after reclamation is completed. • 23-5 Revised 04/11/88