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I I I I I I I I I I a I I I a I I I I 003194 Likewise, the grizzly bear (Ursus arc/os), a Federally Threatened and State Endangered species, is historically documented to have occurred on John Martin Project land near the Purgatoire River; however, the grizzly no longer occurs in southeastern Colorado. Since, these three animal species are not known to occur in the area, there would be no effect to these species by any of the alternatives. Special status animal species listed for Bent County by the USFWS and/or CDOW that might occur in or near the John Martin Dam and Reservoir Project include the following: Mammals The Swift fox is known to occur on the John Martin Project (Pers_ Corom., Mr. Mark Stark, Operations Manager, John Martin Dam and Reservoir, September 17, 1999; Burt and Grossenheider 1976). The Swift fox (Vu/pes velox, a state species of special concern) resides in upland, short-grass prairie habitats. The preferred habitat occurs on the High Plains prairie above the river flood plain and generally above the irrigated river valley. The fox also tends to prefer areas with soft soils, e.g., sand dune areas, which are inhabited by the kangaroo rat, the fox's preferred prey. Other prey may include black-tailed prairie dog that occupy huge areas of the prairie. Extensive, barren and vegetated sand dunes occur along the south-side of the Arkansas River valley. The closely related Kit fox (Vulpes macro/is, a state endangered species) is thought to primarily inhabit semidesert shrublands on Colorado's western slope. The black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus, a candidate for federal listing and a state species of special concern) occurs at the John Martin Reservoir Project. Prairie dog towns occur in areas both north and south of John Martin Reservoir and in areas along the Arkansas River Valley both upstream and downstream of the Project. Prairie dog towns occur in Sandstone, Overlook, and Lake Hasty Recreation areas of the John Martin Reservoir. The prairie dog population at JMR has periodically been subject to outbreaks of sylvatic plague, with a corresponding fluctuation in population numbers. Management in the past has consisted of working in tandem with CDOW to establish signage explaining to the public dangers of handling prairie dogs and restricting from public use areas where dog towns are known to have diseased animals. There is no livestock grazing on the Corps' lands at JMR. The no-action alternative would have no effect on the population of black tailed prairie dogs at JMR. The proposed action, Alternative 2 or 3, would involve construction of campsites, parking areas, day-use sites, road improvements and is likely to partially disturb currently occupied dog towns in Overlook and possibly Sandstone Recreation areas. However, these dog towns have remained intact over the years while primitive car-camping occurred in their midst. Thus, Alternatives 2 and 3 are likely to have a temporarily adverse effect on black tailed prairie dogs, but no long-term effect is anticipated. Birds 27