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<br />WILDUFE <br /> <br />o <br />o <br />f\:. <br />--.l <br /> <br />The wildlife present within the Greater Sagers Wash Watershed include pronghorn antelope, <br />mule deer, elk, coyote, fox, prairie dog, cottontail rabbit, badger, jack rabbit, several species <br />of nesting song birds, reptiles and smaller mammals (rodents). There are also a variety of <br />raptors which include bald eagle, golden eagle, red-tailed hawk, ferruginous hawk and prairie <br />falcon. Wildlife species less common include mountain lion (cougar), black bear, and possibly <br />black-footed ferret. <br /> <br />The northern portion of the watershed area, the Book Cliffs, provides habitat for deer, elk, <br />mountain lion and black bear. The central portion, which consists of flatter terrain, provides <br />habitat for pronghorn antelope, ferruginous hawk, prairie falcon, golden eagle, prairie dog, and <br />possibly black-footed ferret. The southern portion of the area is rough and hilly and provides <br />habitat for deer. Bald eagles are found near the confluence of Sagers Wash and the Colorado <br />River. They utilize the cottonwood trees along the Colorado River, as roosting areas and as <br />hunting perches when foraging for fish. The bald eagle also uses the central ponion of the <br />watershed area as its hunting territory. <br /> <br />Several species of wildlife could be adversely affected during the implementation phase of this <br />plan. The lower portions of the Book Cliffs is critical deer range. While working in the <br />pinyon-juniper-sagebrush vegetation types, care must be taken to avoid treating or destroying <br />large tracts of sagebrush, Sagebrush is the primary forage for deer during the winter period. <br />Any loss of excessive amounts of sagebrush would result in a loss of winter range capability to <br />support deer and the deer population would decrease. The deer winter range should be avoided <br />during the winter months (Dec.I-Mar.31). <br /> <br />Before work begins in the watershed area, the area should be surveyed for ferruginous hawk, <br />golden eagle and other raptor nest sites. If any nest sites are located, constraints may be <br />necessary to avoid these areas during courtship and nesting periods until after the young have <br />fledged. <br /> <br />All prairie dog colonies within the watershed area should be surveyed before work activities <br />begin. They should be evaluated for their potential to support black footed ferrets. All prairie <br />dog colonies which meet the criteria for supporting black footed ferrets should be avoided and <br />omitted from any prescribed treatments. <br /> <br />The area near the confluence of Sagers Wash and the Colorado River should be avoided during <br />the winter period. Bald eagles roost and forage in this area and any work activities during this <br />season could cause the bald eagle to abandon the area. <br /> <br />Black footed ferret and bald eagle are listed threatened and endangered species. There are four <br />fish species in the Colorado River that are on the Federal endangered list: the Colorado <br />squawfish, bonytail chub, humpback chub, and razorback sucker. Projects proposed in the <br />Greater Sagers Wash Watershed could result in minor depletions of runoff entering the river. <br />USFWS has ruled that any depletions to the Colorado River system will negatively impact the <br /> <br />15 <br />