2012-03-07_PERMIT FILE - C2010088 ‎(28)‎

• Permit No: C2010088
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 3/7/2012
• Doc Name: USFWS Biological Opinion
• Section_Exhibit Name: Exhibit 19
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

McClane Canyan Mine Expansion and Fruita Loadout Facility Biological Assessment
4.3.3.4 Conservation Measures
The'same conservation measures that were proposed to avoid or minimize effects by the
Proposed Action to'Colorado pikeminnows and critical habitat in Reed Wash and the 100 -year
floodplain would benefit conservation of bonytails,
4.3.3.5 Determination of Effects
Species Effects. The Project may affect bonytails because:
• Bonytails are likely to occur within Ihe Colorado River, downstream from the Action
Area.
The Project is not likely to adversely affect bonytails for the same reasons identified for
Colorado pikeminnows, above. Briefly, the reasons include 1) lining proposed sediment ponds
at the Mine and Loadout Facility to prevent seepage of water and dissolved constituents and
mobilization of contaminants in pond substrates into East - -Salt Creek and Reed Wash, 2)
preventing discharge of water with selenium concentrations exceeding numeric standards, 3)
removing water from sediment ponds at the Loadout Facility and disposal off:site, 4) controlling
fugitive coal dust at the Loadout Facility, 5) installing a deck on the railroad bridge across Reed
Wash, 6) avoiding driving pilings in -the Water column, . 7) utilizing BMPs to minimize
sedimentation and contaminant loads in surface water, and,8j avoiding application of herbicides
potentially toxic to fish near surface waters.
The Project is likely to adversely affect bonytails because:
• Water withdrawal from the Colorado River and /or from aquifers connected to the
river by the Proposed Action would adversely affect bonytails. However, the amount
of water depleted annually by the Proposed Action is less than 100 acre -feet and a
contribution to the species' recovery would be waived.
Critical Habitat Effects. The Project may affect bonytail designated critical habitat because:
• Designated critical habitat for bonytaii is present within the Colorado River,
approximately 8 miles downstream from the confluence of Salt Creek with the
Colorado River.
The Project is likely to adversely affect, bonytaii critical habitat because:
• Water withdrawal from the Colorado River and /or from aquifers connected to the
river by the Proposed Action would adversely affect critical habitat designated for
bonytails.
4.3.4 Humpback Chub
4.3.4.1 Species Account and Critical Habitat
Status. The humpback chub was included on the 1967 list of native fish and wildlife threatened
with extinction under the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966 (FWS, 1967) and
included in Appendix D, the "United States List of Endangered Native Fish and Wildlife" (FWS,
1970) prior to enactment of the ESA of 1973. Humpback chubs remain endangered under the
ESA (FWS, 2010a).
Threats.' Primary threats to the humpback chub are stream flow regulation and habitat
modification; including coldwater dam releases, habitat loss, and blocked migration corridors, as
well as competition from non - native fish species, pesticides, and pollution '(FVVS, 20024).
Humpback chubs have been adversely affected by stream alteration (dams, irrigation,
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