REV01523

• Permit No: C1982056
• IBM Index Class Name: Revision
• Doc Date: 8/13/1993
• From: USFWS
• To: DMG
• Type & Sequence: PR3
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

_ III IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
$1'JIV ICx
`~ "'S"`u"°~°w°` UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TiiE INTERIOR
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Fcolopcal Service;
,~. '. ~ Western Colnredo Sub-Office
529 25'h Roed, Suite B~ 117
"~•T ~•"~ G,and Junction. CO RI505-6199
PHONE: [phone]R FAX: [phone]
IN REPLY REFER TO:
ES/CO:Twentymile Coal
MS 65412 GJ
August 9, 1993
Kent A. Gorham
Reclamation Specialist
Division of Minerals and Geology
1313 Sherman St., Room 215
Denver, Colorado 80203
Dear Mr. Gorham,
AEG 13
F'o : d e/ L'ieelC
PR~o3
I~FCEf, eC

~~~;< 1993
~ro;) c;„,,J,~e~e, &
This responds to your July 20, 1993 letter regarding an application by the
Twentymile Coal Company for Permit Revision No. 3 (Eastern Mining District) to
revise a current permit to conduct coal mining operations approximately 10
miles northwest of Oak Creek, Routt County, Colorado. The Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service) concluded on June 14, 1993 that formal consultation under
the Endangered Species Act was not necessary for Permit Revision No. 2. The
July 20 letter regards Permit Revision No. 3 and the Division of Minerals and
Geology has requested the Service to review and recommend whether the
activites associated with this revision will affect the continued existence of
endangered or threatened species, or result in the destruction or adverse
modification of critical habitat. The Service responsibility at this time is
to provide Minerals and Geology with a list of federally listed species that
may occur in the area, and some detail regarding consultation responsibilities
under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.
Federally Listed Species
Colorado squawfish Ptvchocheilus Lucius
Humpback chub Gila cypha
Bonytail chub Gila eleaans
Razorback sucker Xvrauchen texanus
Bald eagle Haliaeetus leucoceohalus
Black-footed ferret Mustela nigrioes
None of the above federally listed fish species occur within the project area.
However, the Fish and Wildlife Service believes that major causes for the
decline of the Colorado squawfish, humpback chub, bonytail chub, and razorback
sucker, include the effect of impoundments and associated water depletion from
the Colorado River and its tributaries. Consequently, the water use for all
activities associated with the project should be identified, and evaluated to
determine whether such a depletion will occur. Any individual or combination
of water uses associated with the mine permit revision causing a net depletion
of water from the upper Colorado River basin will be considered by the Service
a negative impact to the federally listed fish.