email from Department of Natural Resources about endangered salamander just down stream from OVCC proposed pollution increase
EPA report of proposed impact

Saith Ohio Valley Coal  401 applicationPage 1
 From:  Povolny, Don" <Don.Povolny@dnr.state.oh.us>
 To: Smith, Mike"' <mike.smith@epa.state.oh.us>
 Date:   5/20/99 12:59PM
 Subject:  Ohio Valley Coal Co. 401 application

 (Belmont County)

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has completed a review of the above referenced project. These comments were generated by an inter-disciplinary review in consultation with the Division of Wildlife and other divisions within the Department. These comments have been prepared under the authority of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.), the National Environmental Policy Act and other applicable laws and regulations.

Natural Heritage maps and files for the proposed project were reviewed for records involving endangered, threatened or special interest species in the immediate project vicinity. We have one record downstream of this project area on the Armstrongs Mills Quad. The 1988 record for the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis), state endangered, is from Captina Creek. It was found near the eastemmost State Route 148 bridge (there are five State Route 145 bridges over Captina Creek on this quad!).

 CC: "Bartz, Dick" <Dick.Bartt:@dnr.state.oh.us>, "Baker, Bob"
 <Bob.Baker@dnr.state.oh.us>, Becky Jenkins <Becky.Jenkins~dnr.state.oh.us>, Bob Fletcher <Bob.Fletcher@dnr.state.oh us>, "Capuzzi, Kelly" <kelly.capuzzi@epa .state.oh.us>, "Davis, Duane" <duane.davis@epa.state.oh.us>, "Guy, Don" <don.guy~dnr.state.oh.us>1 John Marshall <John.Marshall@dnr.state.oh.us>, Kevin Elder <Kevin.Elder@dnr.state.oh.us>, "Lammers,Kenneth" <Kenneth_Lammers~mail.fws.gov>; "Malone, Steve" <steve.malone@epa.state.oh.us>, "Merchant, Linda" <!inda.merchant@epa.state.oh.us>, "Multerer,kenneth" <kenneth_multerer@mail.fws.gov>, Pat Jones <Pat.Jones@dnr.state.oh us>, "Price, Robert" <robert.price@epa.state.oh.us>, "Scovanner,Josie" <Josie.Scovanner@epa.state.oh us>, Tim Shearer <Tim .Shearer@dnr.state.oh us>


From EPA report on impacts of alternatives

lOB. Described the magnitude of the proposed lowering of water quality. Include the
 anticipated impact of the proposed lowering of water quality on aquatic lift and wildirfi, including threatened and endangered species, impoflant commercial or recreational spon fish species, other individual species, and the overall aqua tic community structure and function. (0AC3745-1-05 (C) (6) (a, b)).
 

PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE
Magnitude of Proposed Lowering of Water Quality:
Changes to Aquatic Life and Wildlife Habitat: Approximately 870 linear feet of the perennial stream, Perkins Run; 3040 linear feet of the western intermittent tributary to Perkins Run and 520 linear feet of the northern intermittent tributary to the western intermittent tributary to Perkins Run will be impacted as a result of this project. This impact will result in the removal of 100% of the aquatic life habitat within these segments and the 100% removal of any potential wildlife habitat associated with their riparian corridor.
Change in Chemical Water Quality: The proposed Preferred Alternative could have both short term
and long term impacts on the surface water quality in the receiving streams, especially during the early
stages of construction.  For instance sediment loads to the drainage system will be increased. The quantity of sediments reaching surface waters should be minimized by directing all runoff through the proposed sedimentation pond and other erosion control facilities.
Changes in flow Regime: The Preferred Alternative is expected to reduce base flows and peak flows in the downstream section of Perkins Run due to the retention characteristics of the proposed sediment and quality control ponds. Runoff from the project or disturbed areas, which presently contribute to stream flow will be directed to sediment ponds. However, Perkins Run, which has intermittent flow during summer months has no downstream users. Perkins Run discharges into Captina Creek. Since the area drained by Perkins Run represents a small percentage of the Captina Creek drainage basin, there should not be any recognizable difference in quantity flow in Captina Creek. It is predicted that the proposed operation will not result in any significant adverse impacts on surface water quantity in the area.

Prior to commencing with the construction operation discharge within the impacted stream segments will be diverted around the construction site. The areas adjacent to and the stream channels will be graded with fill placed within the impacted segments in preparation for construction. The stream will no longer function as an stream and the pre-construction flow regime will not be reestablished within the disturbed segments.

Stream Segment Water Quality Monitoring
The existing quality of the stream segments to be impacted as a result of the proposed project are represented blow within the three tables.
 
Cubic Yardage Discharged:
Total linear impact and cubic yardage of fill material to be place below the OHWM for the
Minimal Degradation Alternative is listed in Table A.
 

NON-DEGRADATION ALTERNATIVE
Description of Construction Work, Fill or other Structures:
The non-degradation alternative proposes the shipment of course coal waste to an off-site solid waste disposal facility. To dispose of 1.3 million cubic yards of coarse coal refuse annually it will require 75,000 truck loads at 18 ton a load. The closest facility permitted large enough to handle this volume is the Harrison County Solid Waste Disposal Facility. This facility is approximately 55 miles north of the wash plant, just west of Cadiz Ohio on State Route 250. No additional construction would be required as a result of this alternative.

Substances Discharged:
No fill or dredge materials will be discharged to Perkins Run; the Western Intermittent
Tributary to Perkins Run or the northern intermittent tributary to the western intermittent
tributary to Perkins Run.

Cubic Yardage Discharged:
Total linear impact and cubic yardage of fill material to be place below the OHWM for the
Minimal Degradation Alternative is listed in Table A.