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Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC <br />jeopardize the continued existence of the Colorado pikeminnow, humpback chub, <br />bonytail, and razorback sucker and result in the destruction or adverse modification of <br />their critical habitat. The BO addresses internal and external BLM projects including <br />impoundments, diversions, water wells, pipelines, and spring developments. The BO <br />includes reasonable and prudent alternatives developed by the USFWS, which allow <br />BLM to authorize projects that result in water depletion (if less than 100 acre -feet [AF]) <br />while avoiding the likelihood of jeopardy to the endangered fishes and avoiding <br />destruction or adverse modification of their critical habitat. <br />At the lease stage, it is not possible to calculate the extent or amount of water depletions, <br />if any, which would occur from surface mining. If the amount of water depletion is less <br />than 100 AF, these depletions will be added to the Little Snake Field Office (LSFO) log <br />and appropriate mitigative fees will be paid. If the water depletions are over 100 AF, <br />Section 7 consultation with USFWS would be re- initiated. <br />Special stipulations can be added to permits, licenses, or project plans if necessary to <br />prevent or mitigate impacts resulting from resource development. The 1989 Little Snake <br />RMP allows for wildlife habitat to be protected, maintained or improved by using <br />seasonal restrictions or habitat enhancement measures on resource development activities <br />in areas of important wildlife habitat. <br />The approval and issuance of a federal coal lease as defined in the proposed action would <br />not adversely impact any sensitive wildlife species. However, environmental impacts <br />from any surface mining activity could impact sensitive wildlife species. In general, <br />environmental impacts to sensitive wildlife species due to surface coal mining are <br />discussed as follows. Surface and highwall mining techniques are to extract the coal <br />from the proposed 1406.71 acres in the proposed coal lease. Additional disturbed acreage <br />will be involved with waste -rock disposal sites, mining facilities and access roads. <br />Vegetation and topsoil will be completely removed and stockpiled, making the area <br />temporarily unsuitable as wildlife habitat. This loss of habitat would be short -term in <br />nature, as the area will be concurrently reclaimed as mining progresses and after mining <br />operations cease. As with past operational experience both locally and regionally, it is <br />likely that both the Greater sage - grouse and the Columbian sharp - tailed grouse would <br />return after the rehabilitation of sagebrush and mountain shrub habitats. Non - disturbed <br />wildlife habitat will surround the proposed coal lease area. <br />4.3.10 Cultural Resources <br />Potential affects to cultural resources in the proposed lease area may come from roads, <br />exploration holes, and the construction of the surface mine and facilities. State and <br />federal regulations require cultural resource inventories prior to disturbing activities. <br />These surveys will include all proposed surface disturbances and all physical settings <br />where sensitive site types could potentially occur. These settings include all rock <br />outcrops and cliffs, stream terraces, and benches where there is an accumulation of <br />Holocene sediment. Significant standing structures can be found on aerial photographs, <br />and from reconnaissance level survey of the study area. Site types that derive their <br />significance from other National Register criteria are not expected in the proposed lease <br />PROJECTS Colo.c■o.o 188 F..% Fin3P Ul.M- ' Coltnm n8 n l nc.. doe <br />53 <br />