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prey for carnivores and raptors. The most coomon carnivores In the area are coyote, badger, racoon, and striped skunk. Rlngtall, spotted skunk, bobcat, and grey fox are 1 ess coomon to the area. Other Inhabitants Include mink, red fox, black bear, longtalled weasel, and mountain lions, The only ungulates that occurs regularly In the project area are mule deer and elk. It Is unlIkely that antelope, bighorn, or moose would be found In the area. The riparian comnunltles and Irrigated hayflelds along the White River support a moqerate mule dee,r populatIon of about 20 deer per square mile (8 per km). Densities are considerably lower In Juniper comnunltles at higher elevations In the project area. Summer and winter deer range Is decidedly better In the project area than In the Immediately surrounding area.(S) Mule deer are believed to utilize the project area as a migration route, but little data Is available to conflnn this. 4,7,1.2 A total of 222 species of bIrds have been listed as occurring In the Rangely latllong.(5) Twenty-six species of waterfowl, two species of rails, five gall Ifonn game birds, two species of dove, and the coot are game birds occurr I ng I n the proj ect area. The Wh I te River and Its associated wetlands are Important habitats for game birds regionally. Waterfowl In the area Include geese, swans, ducks, and mergansers, Waterfowl habitat Is scarce In northwestern Colorado, consequently the White River and Its associated wetlands are disproportionately Important habitat. The habitat Is essential to the existence of many songbirds In the region, 4,7.1.3 Four species of threatened or endangered bird species have been listed as occurring In the project area: 1) American peregrine falcon (endangered federally); 2) bald eagle (endangered federally); 3) whooping crane (endangered federally); 4) greater sandhill crane (endangered subspecies, state). Important nesting and foraging habitat for peregrine falcons occurs along the Yampa RIver between Lily and the Utah boarder, but nowhere along the White River within Colorado. There Is no doubt that peregrines occasionally visit the project area, especially during spring and fall migration. The project area Is deficient In nesting habitat and Is too far from suitable nesting sites to be of much sIgnificance as forage range. The Bureau of Land Management has not docU116nted any use of the project area by peregrine falcons, 4.7.1.4 The bald eagle occurs year-round In northwestern Colorado, but Is not known to nest within the vicinity of Rangely. Many eagles winter In northwestern Colorado, The White River In the vicinity of Rangely has not been Identified as an Important habitat for eagles because of the scarcity of large cottonwoods and disturbances due to human habitation. Large cottonwoods are Important perching and roosting sites for raptors.' Moderate m.rrbers of cottonwoods (approximately 100) well I [1terspersed, occur along the White River from Taylor Draw upstream for approximately 2,5 miles (4.0 km), However, numbers of such cottonwoods are sub-optimal for eagles. There are no large cottonwoods for about 1,0 mile (1,6 km) downstream from the Staley Gordon Mine road. There are few cottonwoods between the road and Q\Nln Draw. The first 2,5 miles (4.0 km) upstream from (42) 38