2012-09-06_REVISION - C1981019 (2)

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enhance multiple wildlife species habitat and noxious weed management in the Axial Basin) and management practices that could identify additional areas in the Axial Basin that are eligible candidates for habitat improvement initiatives. • Proposed mining disturbance areas have been minimized and where possible configured to avoid high value habitats Limitation of the generation of non - essential sources and intensity of noise, traffic, travel corridors, and other potentially negative impacts to sage grouse and other forms of wildlife have been evaluated and incorporated into the proposed permit revision materials. • Colowyo has reduced the disturbance footprint by approximately 212 acres (see attached unlabeled map provided by Colowyo) in the Little Collom X Pit and as a result has reduced the potential impacts to migratory birds in the Collom Expansion Area. In order to eliminate the potential for incidental take of raptor species in areas scheduled for disturbance, nests will be removed prior to the nesting season and potential alternate nesting locations including trees will be felled to ensure no nesting activity occurs in the area scheduled for disturbance. There has never been any identified bald eagle or golden eagle nesting activity in the vicinity of the Collom Expansion Area disturbance footprint. Applicable requirements for facility /structure /power line construction have been incorporated into Colowyo's existing permit and will be applicable to the activities undertaken in the Collom Expansion Area. Language specific to raptor protection will be incorporated into construction contracts during infrastructure development. Specific raptor mitigation efforts will also be undertaken to ensure Colowyo does not inadvertently create man -made raptor perch locations that could facilitate additional predation on Greater sage- grouse populations in the area. Deteimunations of Effect Based on the above information and the attached supporting documentation (2008 and 2011 Monitoring Reports, Mine Plan Map (23B), Reclamation Plan Map (46), Surface Ownership Map (1), Vegetation Map (4C), and Drainage Divides Map (12B)), OSM has determined that mining and reclamation operations associated with the Collom Expansion, the permit will have the following effects: Humpback chub (Gila cypha) • since drainage from the Collom Expansion mining area does not enter the Colorado River drainages, the mining activity will not affect the Humpback chub Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius) • due to the possible occurrence of Colorado pikeminnow in the Green River, which receives tributary waters from the project area and an estimated water depletion amount of 36 acre -feet per year, the Collom Expansion mining activities may effect, and is likely to adversely affect the Colorado pikeminnow Bonytail chub (Gila elegans) • due to the possible occurrence of Bonytail chub in the Green River, which receives tributary waters from the project area and an estimated water depletion amount of 36 Page 12