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Exhibit Page 33
<br />EXHIBIT H - WILDLIFE INFORMATION
<br />1. Wildlife species common in area:
<br />HAY CAMP MESA, NE MONTEZUMA COUNTY
<br />Elk, deer, coyote, fox, cottontail and jack rabbits, raptors (falcon, eagle), magpie and songbirds (numerous types) on
<br />seasonal basis, skunk, bobcat, and numerous species of rodents. No identified prairie dog colonies are located in
<br />the area. However, mining operations would not preclude passage of ferrets between any colonies which do exist.
<br />Beaver are not identified as common species in the vicinity of the proposed project, according to information from
<br />NRCS, USFWS and CDOW. Elk are very commonly seen on the site, and do not appear to be disturbed by mining
<br />operations. The area was on the edge of historic sage grouse habitat, but is now well outside the current range.
<br />2. Threatened and endangered species impacted:NONE
<br />ENDANGERED, THREATENED, PROPOSED, AND CANDIDATE SPECIES IN
<br />MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO
<br />Common Name Scientific Name Status Site
<br />Plants
<br />Mancos milk -vetch Astragalus humillimus FE NSH
<br />Mesa Verde cactus Sclerocactus mesae- verdae FT NSH
<br />Sleeping Ute milk -vetch Astragalas toptipes FC NSH
<br />Amphibians
<br />Boreal toad Bufo boreas boreas TC, SE NSH
<br />Fish
<br />Colorado pikeminnow Ptychocheilus lucius FE, ST NSH
<br />Razorback sucker Xyrauchen texanus FE, SE NSH
<br />Birds
<br />Bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus FT, ST
<br />Gunnison sage grouse Centrocercus minimus FC Outside range
<br />Mexican spotted owl Strix occidentalis lucida FT, ST
<br />Southwestern willow - flycatcher Empidonax traillii extimus FE, SE NSH
<br />Yellow- billed cuckoo Coccyzus americanus occidentalis FC
<br />Mammals
<br />Black- footed ferret Mustela nigripes FE, SE NSH
<br />Canada lynx Lynx Canadensis FT, SE
<br />FE = federally endangered; FT = federally threatened; FP = proposed for federal listing; FC = candidate for federal
<br />listing; SE = state endangered, ST = state threatened. NSH = no suitable habitat on site
<br />The location of the Wallace Pit, as proposed, does not have any existing suitable habitat for any of the above plants,
<br />amphibians, or fish, including the sage grouse. The site is sufficiently set back from any live water (by horizontal and
<br />vertical distance) to have no significant impact on favored habitat for any species which uses riparian habitat, and the
<br />site does not have the vegetation needed for spotted owl habitat. The bald eagle does inhabit the region, but as the
<br />site is several hundred feet back and above live water, impact is unlikely. While a potential for ferrets exists in the
<br />area, there are no known or likely prairie dog populations in the area that are capable of supporting ferret
<br />populations. The proposed activities would not be a significant impact on potential lynx range.
<br />Although mining operations will occupy an area of about 283 acres total, the entire area will not be disturbed at once,
<br />so that routes for migration will be open. (Wildlife has adapted readily to the mining operations conducted for the
<br />past 26 years to the north and east of this location.) Berms will assist in deterring wildlife and livestock from nearing
<br />the top of highwalls, and temporary fencing may be used as necessary to reduce potential for livestock and wildlife to
<br />graze on areas under reclamation, winter or summer. Traffic speeds will be enforced to reduce potential vehicle -
<br />animal accidents. No livestock grazing in mining and work area is proposed during operations or reclamation, until
<br />release is granted.
<br />3. Assessment of mining impact on wildlife:
<br />Mining will improve browse and grass availability on the site. While reducing trees (which have limited suitability for
<br />many species), the browse vegetation will increase and supplement the existing extensive areas of browse
<br />vegetation on site, in ravines and other areas which will not be disturbed by mining. Wildlife will continue to use
<br />areas not actually in production, including areas from which trees and brush have been cleared but grass and smaller
<br />browsing plants are still present, and reclaimed areas. In the long term, reclamation should improve the capability of
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