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<br />n~D,"98
<br />
<br />6. Wildlife habitat for raptors and the greater sandhill
<br />crane, as well as wildlife watering areas, beaver colonies,
<br />sage-grouse strutting grounds, and potential black
<br />footed ferret habitat (some prairie dog towns), will
<br />have n<>-surface-occupancy stipulations applied to new
<br />oil and gas leases. These areas vary in size between
<br />10 and 110 acres and are scattered throughout the
<br />resource area. Such stipulations will also be applied
<br />to similar habitat identified on future surveys.
<br />
<br />7. Activity will not be pennitted in threatened, endangered,
<br />and sensitive species' habitat that would jeopardize their
<br />continued existence. The CDOW and the U. S. Fish
<br />and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will be consulted
<br />according to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act
<br />before implementing projects that might affect
<br />threatened and endangered species' habitat.
<br />
<br />8. BLM will cooperate with the CDOW in monitoring
<br />the habitat and populations of bighorn sheep on Cross
<br />Mountain and in the Cold Spring Mountain area.
<br />
<br />9. BLM will coordinate with the CDOW for joint funding
<br />of wildlife projects.
<br />
<br />10. The federally-endangered American peregrine falcon,
<br />Colorado squawflSh, humpback chub, bonytail chub,
<br />and the state-protected razorback sucker will be
<br />protected by designation of Cross Mountain Canyon
<br />ACEC (see RMP map).
<br />
<br />II. Wildlife habitat management plans will be prepared
<br />and implemented, emphasizing aquaticlriparian
<br />habitats for the Little Snake River, Yampa River,
<br />Vermillion Creek, Beaver Creek, Canyon Creek, Shell
<br />Creek Morgan Gulch, Milk Creek, Fortification Creek,
<br />West Timberlake Creek, Willow Creek, and Founnile
<br />Creek.
<br />
<br />12. Aquatic surveys will be completed on 3,000 acres of
<br />riparian and 400 acres of known wetland wildlife
<br />habitat.
<br />
<br />13. Inventories will be conducted to detennine if other
<br />riparian or wetland habitats occur in the resource area
<br />and to determine their value as wildlife habitat.
<br />
<br />14. Wildlife watering guzzlers will be installed on Godiva
<br />Rim, Sand Wash Basin, Cross Mountain, and Dry
<br />Mountain. Additional envilonmental analyses will be
<br />completed and design specifications will be adhered
<br />to before any wildlife habitat improvement project is
<br />implemented.
<br />
<br />15. Sage grouse and elk habitat will be improved on West
<br />Cold Spring Mountain by roller chopping or burning
<br />irregular shaped areas of sagebrush.
<br />
<br />16. Elk habitat will be improved in Bald Mountain Basin
<br />and Great Divide by conducting prescribed bums.
<br />
<br />RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DECISIONS
<br />
<br />17. Antelope distribution in Sand Wash, Powder Wash,
<br />and Great Divide will be improved by constructing
<br />25 antelope passes, installing 2 miles of lay down panels,
<br />and constructing fence modifications.
<br />
<br />18. Elk habitat on Dry Mountain will be improved by
<br />chaining or burning irregular shaped plots of juniper.
<br />
<br />19. An undetennined number of springs and seeps, and
<br />associated wetlands and riparian areas, will be protected
<br />by fencing or other means that will improve the riparian
<br />habitat. Water will be transported outside the fenced
<br />area for other uses.
<br />
<br />Resource Condition and Rationale
<br />
<br />BLM is committed to manage and safeguard all fonns
<br />of wildlife resources at prescribed and self-sustaining levels
<br />on lands it administers. BlM is responsible for coordinating
<br />the wildlife management program with all other resource
<br />uses and land management activities to ensure that wildlife
<br />objectives and protective provisions are incorporated, on
<br />an equal basis, with other resource considerations. It is BLM
<br />policy that close working relationships with state wildlife
<br />agencies be maintained and that the planning and
<br />implementation of wildlife habitat improvement, mainte-
<br />nance, and protection programs be coordinated closely with
<br />the state's wildlife management priorities.
<br />
<br />Because the little Snake Resource Area supports an
<br />extraordinarily large number of mule deer, a rapidly
<br />expanding elk herd, varied small game, vannint, and
<br />furbearer populations, and consists of large consolidated
<br />blocks of readily accessible public land, the area remains
<br />one of the most highly regarded locations in Colorado for
<br />sport hunting.
<br />
<br />Implementation Priorities
<br />
<br />The following management actions need to be imple-
<br />mented during the first five years following approval of
<br />this plan. The order in which these actions are listed does
<br />not indicate an order of implementation.
<br />
<br />. Initiate monitoring studies on M and I category allotments,
<br />including 13 connict allotments, to yield information
<br />needed to make decisions on wildlife numbers.
<br />
<br />. Prioritize monitoring studies on allotments according to
<br />those exhibiting the worst forage conditions.
<br />
<br />. Wildlife habitat management plans will be prepared and
<br />implemented, emphasizing aquatic/riparian habitat for
<br />the Little Snake River, Canyon Creek, Fortification
<br />Creek and West Timberlake Creek.
<br />
<br />. Aquatic surveys will be completed on 3,000 acres of
<br />riparian and 400 acres of wetland wildlife habitat.
<br />
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