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<br />The Mexican spotted owl was listed as a threatened species on March 16, 1993 (Federal Register
<br />March 16, 1993) It is listed in Arizona, Utah and Colorado. The species is threatened by
<br />destruction and modification of habitat caused by even-aged timber harvest methods and
<br />wildfires, decreased habitat suitability, and potential increased predation associated with habitat
<br />fragmentation. Twenty five Mexican spotted owls were known to inhabit Colorado in 1993.
<br />The closest known location of the specie in the vicinity of the Mancos Project occur in Mesa
<br />Verde National Park. No known locations occur along the Mancos Rive r. No critical habitat for
<br />the recovery of the species has been proposed or identified along the Mancos River. Existing
<br />habitat along the Mancos River in the project vicinity is not suitable for this species, the bird
<br />requires old-growth forests.(Reclamation 1995) _,
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<br />The propose carriage contracts will not affect the Mexican spotted owl,or associated habitat
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<br />3.6.2.2.3 Mesa Verde Cactus
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<br />,>
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<br />The Mesa Verde cactus was listed by the Service a~.tlireatened on October 30, 1979 (Federal
<br />Register October 30, 1979). This small, globe-shapeca'Ctus is found only in harsh desert
<br />environments growing at elevations between 4,800 to 5,500feet.Because of the specific habitat
<br />requirement of this cactus, its distribution is limited to Sanlua,n County, New Mexico, and
<br />Montezuma County, Colorado. The plaf1!grows in sever habitats where temperature reach as
<br />high as 110 degree F or as low as -18 degf~s:Fand annual rainfall amount to only 6 inches. It is
<br />found on barren, gray, clay hills, underlainQyM~ricos shale or the Fruitland Formation.
<br />(Reclamation 1995)
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<br />Because its habitat requiwllient'iM~,specific to a desert envif(:pllnent, the plant would not grow or
<br />survive in the Mancos River flooqplain. There would not be any affect to the Mesa Verde cactus
<br />or associated habitat:
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<br />3.6.2.3 Feder~Jly)?!"oposedg~dldat~i,;, f
<br />:"'-:';::~<:i~;~i7f7r~~-~_ ,~, -~::~\r:~~._. - ~ ~-,,-:, >;<- ':; --.
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<br />3.6.2.3.1 Boreal toad
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<br />TheWestern:.boreal toad isafederal s~rididate species. It is found in the southern Rocky
<br />Mountains, has been state-listeq. in Colorado as endangered since November 1993, and federally
<br />listed as "warrantcrd but precluded" since March 1995. The boreal toad is Colorado's only alpine
<br />species of toad, andhas beenreported in mountain habitats throughout the state at elevations
<br />between 7,000 and 12,OOO"feet. Distribution is restricted to areas with suitable breeding habitat in
<br />spruce-fir forests and alpine meadows. Breeding habitat includes: lakes, marshes, ponds, and
<br />bogs with sunny exposures and quiet, shallow water.
<br />
<br />Colorado has four metapopulations which are composed of two or more breeding sites, each with
<br />several dozen to several hundred toads. These are 1. Lost LakelKettle Tarn in Rocky Mountain
<br />National Park, Larimer County, 2. Cottonwood Creek Drainage in the San Isabel National
<br />Forest, Chaffee County, 3. Snake RiverlTen-Mile Creek, Summit County; and the Clear Creek
<br />population in the Arapaho National Forest and the Henderson Mine, in Clear Creek County.
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