2012-03-07_PERMIT FILE - C2010088 (19)

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tributaries and main -stem reaches of the Colorado River in the Grand Valley region of western Colorado are an ongoing concern to local, State, and Federal agencies, local water providers, and landowners (Leib 2008). This concern stems from a need to address regulatory water - quality issues and impairment of native fish habitat. The project is not expected to increase the selenium content of water entering Reed Wash and the Colorado River. The rail spur will enter and exit the land farm on the east side of Reed Wash (Figure 1). The land farm is protected by a berm approximately 4 -8 ft high, which surrounds the site. The berm will remain intact during rail line construction and after project completion. The water retention qualities of the land farm berm containment system will not be compromised. The railroad bridge across Reed Wash will be constructed in a manner that it will span the aquatic habitat. Therefore, no structures will be placed in the water to affect the current fish access to upper Reed Wash. Rail spur bridge supports will likely be constructed in the 100 -year floodplain on lands outside the channel of the wash. The size and structure of the bridge supports are not likely to be large enough to impede fish movements in the event of flood stage conditions. 5.0 MITIGATION 5.1 MAMMALS 5.1.1 Mule Deer Mule deer will continue to occupy the habitat in the project area but use is expected to remain at the low densities of existing populations. Mitigation will be implemented to protect existing, unaffected available habitat and avoid preventable operations activities that may influence habitat use by this species. The following on -site mitigation measures are recommended for implementation. • Habitat Protection: Maintain protective cover and forage adjacent to project features where mule deer may forage and seek cover in the project area. The Reed Wash riparian corridor is the primary habitat for mule deer and will remain essentially unchanged due to project development. • Maintain a consistent annual noxious and invasive weed management program to increase forage available to deer. • Preserve the upland greasewood habitat during project construction; avoid unnecessary habitat disturbance. • Ensure that any fencing is constructed according to CDOW fence construction guidelines. 5.1.2 Predatory Mammals 5.1.2.1 River Otter: Otter habitat can be maintained by preserving or enhancing the existing vegetation along Reed Wash. While tamarisk is not a preferred shrub species for wildlife, it does provide thick cover and potential den sites for otter. Dense cover would help mitigate disturbance once the loadout facility is operational. The riparian habitat would benefit by 24