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

Home Browse Search

McClave Canyon Mine Expansion and Fruita Loadout Facility Biological Assessment confluence of Salt Creek with the Colorado River is approximately 8 miles upstream from Black Rocks in Ruby Canyon. 4.3.4.3 Effects by the Proposed Action Direct and Indirect Effects. Water depletions would adversely affect critical habitat for the humpback chub. Waterborne selenium is suspected to affect humpback chubs similarly to effects on Colorado pikeminnows, razorback suckers, and bonytails (FWS, 2002d) but studies documenting toxicity have not been found. Nevertheless, -all of the pathways that the Proposed Action could contribute selenium to enter waterbodies, discussed above for Colorado pikeminnow, are assumed to also affect humpback chubs.recovery in the upper Colorado River system. Cumulative Effects. As discussed above for Colorado pikeminnow, no State, tribal, local, or private actions are reasonably certain to occur within Reed Wash and the 100 -year floodplain. Other potential cumulative effects associated with human population growth in Garfield and Mesa counties are expected to generate cumulative effects to humpback chubs, as described above for Colorado pikeminnows. 4.3.4.4 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 humpback chubs. 4.3.4.5 Determination of Effects Species Effects. The Project may affect humpback chubs because: Humpback chubs are likely to occur within the Colorado River, downstream from the Action Area. The Project is not likely to adversely affect humpback chubs 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 load in surface water,- and 8) avoiding application of herbicides potentially toxic to fish near surface waters. The Project is likely to adversely affect humpback chubs because: • Water withdrawal from the Colorado River and /or from aquifers connected to the river by the Proposed Action would adversely affect humpback chubs. 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 humpback chub designated critical habitat because: • Designated critical habitat for humpback chubs is present within the Colorado River, approximately 8 miles downstream from the confluence of Salt Creek W: ith the Colorado River. 36