2012-08-14_PERMIT FILE - C1996084A (2)

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Rule 1 ~ Permits • Fish Four species of fish were found within the analysis azea; flathead chubs, longnose dace and white sucker in Lorencito Canyon and additional species, brown trout, in the Purgatorre River. Two ofthe species found in Lorencito Canyon, flathead chubs and longnose dace, aze flow dependant. This documents that these reaches(LC-1 and LC-4)ofLorencitoCanyonhaveperennia]flows. Thisissupportedbymontlilysurface water monitoring data reporting flow each month. However, as reported in the Surface Water Resources Technical Report, this montlily monitoring revealed that most ofLorencito Canyon is dry during much of the year. The fish populations and diversity at LC-1 and LCD indicate a healthy fishery, considering the intermittent nature ofthis stream. Additionally, all three species found in [,orencito Canyon are native. One ofthese species, flathead chub, was formerly classified as a federal candidate species. Refer to Exhibit 12 (the Aquatic Technical Report) for more detailed information on fisheries resources found in the analysis area. Although not sampled during the aquatic biota inventory, fish were observed at a surface water monitoring station (spring SPAC-I) in AlamosaCanyon. Because this is an intermittent tributary to Lorencito Canyon, it is likely that the species occurring at this spring are the same species that were found in Lorencito Canyon. • No fish species were found at the two Cow Canyon stock pond stations sampled. This was anticipated because both ponds were stagnant (noflow-through) and had limited macroinvertebrate populations as discussed below. Fish species found at the Purgatoire River stations were the same found in Lorencito Canyon with one additional species, brown trout. Brown vout were found at all three stations at fair population numbers with lengths ranging from 2 to 11 inches. The collection ofyoung-of--the-year (2 inch) trout document natural reproduction in the system. Macroinvertebrates Macroinvertebrate bioassessmentmetrics fortheseven sample stations are presented in Exhibit 12. The metrics indicate that the macroinvertebrate communities ofthe stream stations are in fav to good condition. The majority ofthe abundance and taxacame from the orders Ephemeroptera, Plewptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) ranging from 86.9 to 96.1 percent of the total abundance. Members from these three orders are generally considered to exist in clean waters and will generally be eliminated or depressed in disturbed environments. Diversity ranged from fair to good and total number of taxa ranged from 14 to 21. Additionally, biotic condition (exemplified by HBI) ranged from very-good to excellent ratings. . lortrciloPm~-PAfT(9)5)IU1y3001 wpd 2.04-58 (revised 07/25/01) P~-o-