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

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existing physical environment of the aquatic habitat that would require mitigation. Fish movements up and down Reed Wash are not expected to be altered by project construction. Endangered Fish: The project is unlikely to adversely affect critical habitat for threatened and endangered fish in the Colorado River. However, Section 7 (of the Endangered Species Act) consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may become necessary in the event critical habitat, including the 100 -year floodplain of the Colorado River, is likely to be affected. The following measures would help mitigate impacts to endangered fish. • Construct bridge supports in the 100 -year floodplain in a manner that does not impede flood stage flows in Reed Wash. Ensure the bridge supports do not divert existing flows in the wash that may cause excessive erosion. • Ensure no hazardous materials enter the aquatic environment. This includes potential spills of diesel fuel from the locomotives. • Manage vegetation along Reed Wash and in the Loma Drain to ensure stable banks and upland cover, which helps protect water quality and reduces erosion that may result in increased sediment loads in the Colorado River. • Monitor water quality and mitigate any potential adverse affects resulting from project development. • Implement a stormwater management plan. 6.0 THREATENED, ENDANGERED AND SENSITIVE PLANT SPECIES 6.1 Potential Species: The agricultural portion of the Grand Valley is not known to support threatened, endangered or sensitive plants species. No T & E or sensitive plants species are known to occur in the project area. The following information sources were reviewed for plant species that could potentially be found within the project area. • Threatened or endangered species protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act and those that are candidates or proposed for listing. • Species listed by the BLM as sensitive in northwest Colorado (BLM website: http: / /www.co.blm.gov/botany /sens species.htm). • Species included on lists prepared by the Colorado Natural Heritage Inventory (website: http:// www .cnhl2.colostate.edu /Iist.html) for Mesa County, Colorado. Colorado hookless cactus (Sclerocactus glaucus) is the only T &E species potentially occurring in the project area. Field surveys to detect the presence of Colorado hookless cactus were conducted on 4/18, 5/7, 5/8, 5/16, and 5/31, 2010. The pedestrian surveys were conducted during the flowering period (April -May) when the plants are most visible (Spackman et al. 1997). The surveys were conducted by walking transects through the greasewood shrublands within the project area. Typically, Colorado hookless cactus is found in sagebrush shrublands and often in a mix of sagebrush and greasewood. Surveys conducted in the project area did not detect this species and its occurrence is unlikely. CNHP records do not indicate individuals or populations of Colorado hookless cactus west of the city of Grand Junction in the Grand Valley. Prickly -pear cactus (Opuntia polyacantha) was observed in several locations in the project area. This is a common species throughout the Grand Valley and is not a sensitive species. 27