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<br />-27- <br /> <br />leaves of the big sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata). Strutting grounds <br />visited year after year are open spots in sagebrush stands. Nesting <br />i sites are selected under sagebrush plants growing relatively near <br />the breeding areas. Although there are millions of acres of sage- <br />brush throughout the West, those which meet the critical needs of <br />these magnificent birds from October through May are limited indeed. <br />The relatively few, and relatively small, stands of sagebrush that <br />furnish the right ,combination of conditions; i.e. slope, height, and <br />density of stand, orientation to the prevailing winds, and other <br />factors vitally important to sage grouse, must be maintained if this <br />unique bird is to survive. <br />With the project, the Colorado Division of Wildlife estimates that <br />60 percent of the sage grouse in Management Unit 14 and 11 percent in <br />~ Unit 16 will be lost--a total of approximately 4,800 birds. The <br />Wyoming Game and FisY- Department estimates that approximately 1,600 sage <br />grouse now inhataiting project lands in that state will also be lost. <br /> <br />Construction of Savery Reservoir may adversely impact Columbian <br />sharptailed grouse. There are three known dancing grounds in, or <br />t immediately adjacent to, the reservoir site. Losses to Columbian <br />sharptailed grouse may occur due to inundation of dancing grounds, <br />increased human activity around the reservoir, and increased <br />~ agricultural development. <br /> <br />