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CHAPTER FOUR IMPACTS ON SPECIAL STATUS PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES AND HABITAT IMPACTS FROM PROPOSED MANAGEMENT ACTIONS Impacts from Special Status Plant and Animal Management. Designation of the South Beaver Creek RNNACEC, Unit 0-1, (9,562 acres) would help to proteClthe existing populations and potential habitat of skiff miJkvetch from accidental destruction and would encourage research and special studies designed to increase our knowledge about this species. Designation of the Redcloud Peak RNNACEC, Unit 0-2, (5,950 acres) would help to protect the existing population and potential nabitat of the Uncompahgre fritillary butterfly from accidental destruction and would encourage research and special studies designed to increase our knowledge about this species. Impacts from Locatable Minerals Management. Withdrawing 5,950 acres of federal mineral estate in the Redcloud Peak RNNACEC under Uncompahgre fritillary butterfly habitat would prevent accidental destruction and disturbance to this species from mining. Withdrawing 9,562 acres of federal mineral estate in the South Beaver Creek RNA/ACEC under occupied and potential habitat of skiff miJkvetch would prevent accidental destruction of, and disturbance to, this species from mining. Impacts from 011, Gas, and Geothermal Management. No significant impacts are anticipated from one or two wells. The proposed no surface occupancy stipulation would protect both the Uncompahgre fritillary butterfly and skiff miJkvetch habitat in the event of any exploratory development. Impacts from Saleable Minerals Management. Not permitting the disposal of mineral material on 14,934 acres of occupied and potential habitat in units 0-1 and 0-2 would prevent the accidental destruction of skiff miJkvetch and Uncompahgre fritillary butterfly habitat and species from surface disturbance associated with this activity. Impacts from Livestock Grazing Management. Prohibiting livestock grazing on 1,440 suitable acres in the Uncompahgre fritillary butterfly occupied and potential habitat in unit D-2 would prevent disturbance and physical destruction of babitat caused by trampling and utilization of snow willow. Impacts from Recreation Management. Limiting OHV use to designated routes yearlong in skiff miJkvetch habitat, and closing Uncompahgre fritillary butterfly habitat to OHV use would prevent the accidental destruction of the species and their habitat on a total of 15,512 acres. Impacts from AcquIsition of Non-Federal Lands and Disposal of Public Lands. Retaining public lands which contain colonies of skiff miJkvetch and acquiring private lands which contain this species would maintain the present population and increase the BLM population by 35%. CUMULATIVE IMPACTS ON SPECIAL STATUS PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES AND HABITAT Special designations, altering OHV use and restrictions on livestock grazing and timber harvests would protect and enhance habitat for special status species and would prevent accidental destruction of these species and their habitat. IMPACTS ON TERRESTRIAL WILDLIFE AND HABITAT Impacts from Wildlife HabItat Management. Land treatment projects, water developments and managing elk and deer populations below current levels would increase wildlife forage availability to meet CDOW long-term on big game elk and elk and deer herd goals. Improvement of habitat quality would improve animal distribution, reduce stress, and decrease forage utilization levels. Reducing the deer population within the highway grazing allotment (No. 6056) by 50% would improve the quality and quantity of winter babitat. 4-44