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water depletion impacts and "no effect" determination for the black- footed ferret (Mustela <br />nigripes) due to the prairie dog (Cynomys sp) colony approximately twenty acres in size located <br />in a portion of Sections 31 and 32 T6N, R9W. The Black - footed ferrets preys on prairie dogs <br />primarily and use their burrows for shelter and denning. <br />In a letter dated August 4, 1987, the USFWS concurred with OSMRE's "no effect" <br />determination for the Colorado pikeminnow, (Ptychocheilus lucius), humpback chub (Gila <br />cypha) due to no water depletion impacts. <br />OSMRE Species - Specific Analysis <br />OSMRE queried the USFWS, Information, Planning, and Conservation System (IPAC) on May <br />21, 2014, for a current listing of potential federally- endangered, threatened candidate species, <br />species of concern, and critical habitat that may be found in Moffat County, Colorado. The <br />following species are listed: Black- Footed ferret (Mustela nigripes), Bonytail chub (Gila <br />elegans), Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius), Humpback chub (Gila cypha), <br />Razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), Mexican Spotted owl (Strix Occidentalis lucida), and <br />Ute ladies' — tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis). The following are proposed threatened species: North <br />American wolverine (Gulo gulo luscus), Yellow - Billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus). The <br />Greater sage - grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) is also listed as a candidate species. <br />OSMRE Determinations of Effect <br />Based on the above information OSMRE has determined that the effects of coal mining <br />operations associated with RN -6 at BTU Empire Corporation's Williams Fork Mine will have <br />the following effects: <br />"lo effect" on the non - essential experimental population of Black- footed ferret because surveys <br />of the Williams Fork Mine permit area found one prairie dog (Cynomys sp) colony <br />approximately twenty acres in size located in a portion of Section 31 and 32 T2N R91W, <br />however, the small size of the colony there is ample supply of prairie dog (Cynomys sp) to <br />support the Black- footed ferret population. ]. Also the temporary cessation does not allow <br />mining operations at this time that would impact the species; however, OSMRE is required to <br />reinitiate a section 7 consultation before the Williams Fork mine can return to active mining <br />status. <br />"No effect" on the Greater sage grouse even though there is suitable habitat in the permit area, <br />due to no mining activity. Also the temporary cessation does not allow mining operations at this <br />time that would impact the species; however, OSMRE is required to reinitiate a section 7 <br />consultation before the Williams Fork Mine can return to active mining status. <br />"No effect" on the Mexican spotted owl because surveys of the permit area and adjacent areas <br />found no suitable habitat. Also the temporary cessation does not allow mining operations at this <br />time that would impact the species; however, OSMRE is required to reinitiate a section 7 <br />consultation before the Williams Fork Mine can return to active mining status. <br />"No effect" on the North American wolverine because suitable or potentially suitable habitat <br />what would support wolverine, based on lack of deep, persistent, reliable spring snow cover <br />being the best overall predictor of wolverine occurrence, is unlikely to occur in the permit area. <br />There is no indication of mining activity resumptions at this time. Also, the temporary cessation <br />does not allow mining operations at this time that would impact the species; however, OSMRE is <br />