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O {"I 1 ?!." u J.. '-':.' Two federally 1 i sted endangered wi 1 dl i fe speci es, the bal d eagl e and peregrine falcon, have historic ranges that overlay the project areas. No designated critical or proposed critical habitat for either of these species is found in the project area. The peregrine falcon has histori- cally nested on the "flatirons" and near Eldorado Springs. No nesting has occurred in this area in recent years (Fisher, et al, 1981). The bald eagle is a winter resident along the South Platte drainage. Fall and winter aerial surveys were conducted by Reclamation wildlife biologists over the Coal Creek and South Boulder Creek drainages in 1979 and 1980 to determine the presence of bald eagles or peregrine falcons. Neither species was detected in the area during any of the raptor surveys. The black-footed ferret has not concurred in this area of Colorado in recent hi story. The whooping crane is not known to occur in the project area. The big bend of the Platte River in Nebraska is a major stopover point during the whooping cranes migration to Canada. Concern over depleted flows in the Platte River and possible impacts on the whooping crane habitat has led the Fish and Wildlife Service to identify the whooping crane as an endangered species for the project. Studies by Reclamation hydrologists have determined that construction of a project will result in a slight gain in the amount of water in the South Pl atte River. It is the opi ni on of the hydrol ogi sts that the water would be utilized by junior appropriators, and the gain by the construction of the project would not be realized in the Platte River. Therefore, there woul d be no impact on the whooping crane habitat in Nebraska. There are no threatened or endangered plants in the Coal Creek or Crescent areas that are listed or proposed for listing by the Fish and Wildlife Service (Federal Register, December 15, 1980). The Johnny darter, a State threatened species, was found in South Boulder Creek at Baseline Road. The Johnny darter was found in an area where no direct impact associated with either of the sites would occur. The Johnny darter would not be affected by the project. Wetlands and Floodplains The two sites were studied with regard to Executive Order 11988, Floodpl ain Management, and Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands, and there are no viable alternatives to construction in the floodplains or wetland. 15