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4.7 Fish and Wildlife Management <br />Measures to mitigate the effects of mining on wildlife were derived after reviewing the <br />mining and reclamation plans to assess their potential impacts on fish and wildlife. Background <br />information on the fish and wildlife included: (1) one year of baseline data collection to <br />determine habitat utilization by species and season, (2) observation offish and wildlife responses <br />to the present mining and reclamation activities, (3) wildlife observations by mine personnel over <br />a long period of time, and (4) current knowledge of fish and wildlife responses to mining <br />activities. <br />The Edna Mine has been in existence for many years and many species of wildlife have <br />apparently adjusted to the presence of the mine. In some instances, wildlife appear to have <br />benefited from mining. Observations recorded during the baseline studies (Section 2.7) show <br />high use of some of the previously mined areas by elk, deer and raptors. It appears that the <br />forage available on the grasslands established by reclamation in combination with nearby cover <br />in undisturbed areas (particularly aspen and mountain shrub communities) have benefited many <br />species of wildlife. The revegetation plans for the areas to be mined (Section 4.4) show the <br />establishment of cover within the reclaimed areas (Exhibit 4.4-1). Ultimately when the <br />reclaimed vegetation becomes established, the Moffat Area and West Ridge will be capable of <br />supporting more wildlife than they do now. <br />The fisheries on both Trout Creek and Oak Creek do not appear to have suffered as the <br />result of mining (Section 2.7.2.3). Since mining will not encroach on either stream (Exhibit 3.3- <br />5) and water quality will not change substantially, (Section 2.5.3), the fisheries should not be <br />noticeably affected by further mining. In fact, if the assumptions behind the sedimentation <br />control regulations are correct, they should improve as the result of the decreased sediment load <br />reaching the stream due to sediment ponds installed in accordance with the designs shown in <br />Section 4.6.1. <br />Five species, Greater Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis tabida), Greater Sage Grouse <br />(Centrocercus urophasianus), Columbian Sharp-Tailed Grouse (Tymyanuchus phasianellus <br />columbianus), Mountain Sucker (Catostomus nlavtrhvnchusl and Northern Pocket Gopher <br />(Thomomys talpoides macrotis), are considered by the state of Colorado a species of special <br />concern. No threatened or endangered species have been found within the permit boundary. As <br />noted in Section 2.7.2.1 Greater Sandhill Cranes, which are considered a species of special <br />4.7-1 Revised 11/06 <br />