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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I providing wildlife habitat, vegetated wetlands provide floodflow alteration, sediment stabilization/retention, and nutrient removalltransformation. (4) Grassland. Grasslands comprise approximately 10 acres (less than 1 percent) of the site. Common species in upland grasslands include pigweed, common mullein, common evening-primrose, sunflower, clotbur, velvetleaf, and smartweed (a list of common and scientific names is included in Appendix A). (5) Scrub/Shrub. Scrub/shrub areas comprise less than I acre (less than 1 percent) of the site and consist primarily of sandbar willow, red mulberry, boxelder, and young cottonwood. This cover type occurs primarily as an extension of the riparian timber, as borders to the wetlands, and as hedgerows between agricultural fields (a list of common and scientific names is included in Appendix A). (6) Wildlife. A field investigation indicated that wildlife is abundant within the project site. Deer, rabbits, squirrels, and mice were observed throughout the site. Recent beaver activity was observed along the banks of the Missouri River. Many other small mammals may also be found. Several bird species were observed and include blue jay, northern flicker, black- capped chickadee, western meadowlark, common grackle, common crow, downy woodpecker, northern harrier, red-tailed hawk, and several sparrows. Numerous mallard ducks were also observed utilizing the Missouri River along the project site, and 10 bald eagles (8 immature and 2 mature) were observed within the project area (a list of common and scientific names is included in Appendix A). h. Threatened and Endangered Species: In accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, a request was made of the USFWS to identify federally-listed threatened or endangered species and proposed-for-listing (candidate) threatened or endangered species that may occur within the project area. The USFWS provided the list in Table 2. A request was also made of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to identify state- listed threatened or endangered species. Correspondence is included in Appendix F. The Draft Biological Assessment contained in Appendix E provides detailed information on habitat requirements and sightings within or near the project area. A summary of this information is provided below. The pallid sturgeon, bald eagle, peregrine falcon, interior least tern, and American burying beetle are federally-listed endangered species that may occur in the project area, In addition, piping plover and western prairie fringed orchid are also federally-listed threatened species that may occur in the project area. The southern flying squirrel was identified as a state-listed threatened species that may occur in the project area. No designated 'critical habitat' occurs within the project area. The bald eagle may occur as a migrant and/or winter resident in the area, These large birds of prey perch in large shoreline trees to rest or feed on fish. Several bald eagles were 15