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Sariar ~ 2.05.6 <br />Fish and Wildlife Plan <br />• Surface disturbance for the historic Somerset Mine operations and the current Sanborn Creek Mute <br />operations have already occurred and related operations have been ongoing for a number of years. <br />The associated impatts to wildlife in these areaz have already occurred and are considered minor co <br />moderate in magnitude based on review and documentation provided by the Colorado Division of <br />Wildlife, copies of which are included in Exhibit 2.04-E7, Fish and Wildlife Information. Proposed <br />plans for future development and operation of the Elk Creek Mine have been reviewed for potential <br />wildlife impacts by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. In addition, a review of potential wildlife <br />impacts azsociated with leasing and development of the Ells Creek Tract waz included az part of the <br />Nonh Fork Coal Leazing EIS completed by the BLM and USFS for leasing of the Elk Creek and <br />adjacent Iron Point coal lease tracts. In both cases, potential Honing-related wildlife impacts were <br />determined to be insignificant. Potential occurrences of and impacts on Threatened, Endangered, or <br />Sensitive wildlife are addressed in Section 2.04.11, Fish and Wildlife Resourees Infomtation. In <br />genera], no Threatened, Endangered, or Sensitive species have been or will be adversely impacted by <br />the ongoing or proposed mining and related operations. <br />The pemtit and adjacent areaz do not contain critical habitat for any fish or wildlife species, although <br />the North Fork of the Gunnison River is considered valuable fisheries habitat and the permit and <br />adjacent areas are utilized az both summer and winter range for deer and elk The North Fork will <br />not be directly affected by either muting-related surface or underground disturbance and potential <br />indirect water gttantiry and quality effects are effectively addressed by both the comprehensive <br />drainage and sediment control plans and ongoing compliance with apphcable effluent water quality <br />limitations under the approved CDPS discharge permit. Detailed discussion of hydrologic protection <br />and mitigation meazures h provided in Section 2.05.6, Protection of Hydrologic Balance. Various <br />other fish and wildlife protettion/mitigation measures have already been implemented, such az <br />• installing conveyor underpasses on conveyvts that cross natural drainage corridors to allow <br />movement of larger wildlife (primarily deer and elk) through the area; posting speed limits on all mine <br />roads; fencing electrical substations and other potentially hazardous irtscallauons; and utilizing proper <br />handling and storage practices for mine waste materials. In addition to these existing measures, <br />potential adverse muting-related impacts on wildlife will be [[~..,~~Pd by. <br />1. Limiting additional muting-related surface disturbance. <br />2. Working closely with the Division of Wikllife to incorporate wildlife consideratioas into <br />future development and operating plans. <br />3. Promptly reporting to the Division of Wildlife any observations of 'Threatened, <br />Endangered, or Sensitive species. <br />4. Assuring that any extension, modification, or new construction of powerlines associated <br />with the rrtirring operation are designed and constructed in accordance with guidelines set <br />forth in the Environmental Criteria for Elettric Transmission Systems (i15DI, USDA <br />1970). Distribution lines shall be designed and corutrutted in accord with REA Bulletin <br />61-10. <br />5. Utilizing the following Best Technology Currently Available (BTCA) practices to the <br />extent reasonably feazible: <br />• During the location and design phase for future roads, the Division of Wildlife <br />and the DMG will be consulted in order to minimi~P or avoid impatts to fish <br />.• and wildlife <br />• Restore disturbed areas to rhea premining condition and use through removal of <br />surface structures, grading and contouring the areas, and revegetating the areas <br />PR04 2.05-72 Revised August 2000 <br />