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<br />n""'t ,\1'1' <br />.~'"J... ..J.U <br /> <br />'. <br /> <br />recreation priority indicates that soils, watershed, and water quality are compatible with <br />recreation and that these resources would be "protected through limits or restrictions placed on <br />location of recreation developments, certain types of recreation activities (e.g., OHVs), and other <br />compatible uses.". The proposed land use priorities, therefore, would not directly impact soils as <br />the existing land use priorities are also compatible with soils. The proposed action would <br />establish or retain a water, soil, wildlife, protected, or no priority for some lands within the <br />SRMA. Areas where soils are recognized as fragile remain a soil priority in the proposed action <br />and efforts would be made to minimize soil loss. Under Prescription #2, soils could still meet <br />standard #1. Wildlife and livestock objectives are compatible with the proposed land use <br />priorities and tend to include increasing forage which indirectly promotes good ground cover <br />and reduces soil loss. <br /> <br />Management Prescription #3 (NSO for oil and gas leasing): By placing NSO stipulations on oil <br />and gas leases, future impacts to soils could be reduced by lessening the amount of surface <br />disturbance. There would be no impact on the ability to meet standard # 1. <br /> <br />Management Prescription #4 (Land/Mineral Withdrawal): By prohibiting mining within the <br />proposed SRMA, future impacts to soils could be reduced by lessening the amount of surface <br />disturbance. There would be no change in the ability to meet standard # 1. <br /> <br />THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES <br />(Colorado Sl<Indards for Public l..i1nd He.:tllh. Stllndard #4) <br /> <br />Affected Environment: <br />The Colorado River included in the proposed SRMA expansion corridor provides important <br />habitat for bald eagles and peregrine falcons. Both are Federally listed endangered species. Bald <br />eagles are common residents along the Colorado from October 1 through May 1 annually. Bald <br />eagles perch and roost in large cottonwood and ponderosa pine trees along the river. Road and <br />rail-killed deer, elk, and rabbits provide food for bald eagles during the time they inhabit the <br />Colorado River corridor. Fish are also an important food source. <br /> <br />Peregrine falcons have nested successfully in upper Gore Canyon over the past 4 years. Several <br />peregrine nests have been located and monitored byColorado Division of Wildlife biologists and <br />numbers of young falcons produced have been recorded. Little additional data such as hunting <br />areas, prey species, etc. have been collected for the peregrines nesting in Gore Canyon. <br /> <br />Environmental Consequences of Proposed Action: <br />Management Prescription #l (Boundary Adjustment): Future management of the proposed <br />SRMA would need to be structured to ensure the SRMA expansion does not adversely impact <br />bald eagles or peregrines as a result of increased recreation use. An increase in camping along <br />the Colorado River could result in loss of habitat features such as large cottonwood and <br />ponderosa pine trees. These losses could result from intentional cutting or burning by accidental <br />fire caused by recreationists. Recreational activities such as climbing and hiking could disturb <br />nesting peregrines in Gore Canyon if visitor use increases as a result of the boundary adjustment. <br />The RMP requires that recreation management actions provide protection for threatened and <br />endangered species habitat by placing limits on recreation development and/or recreational <br />activity. If public use of the area increases, close monitoring of the situation and adherence to the <br /> <br />15 <br />