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WILDLIFE INFORMATION <br />The BLM reports the potential for the general area to contain mule deer, elk, coyote, mourning <br />dove, golden eagle, bald eagle and cottontail rabbit. None of these species have been observed <br />in the permitted area. Whooping cranes migrate across the San Luis Valley between nesting <br />grounds in Idaho and winter habitat in New Mexico. Numerous other small birds, reptiles, <br />mammals and amphibians also occur in the area. Peregrine falcon and Weber's catseye were <br />reported to occur in the area by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service but none have been observed <br />in the permitted area. Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife maps suggest blue grouse, <br />bighorn sheep, antelope, and bear also inhabit the area but none have been observed in the <br />permitted area. <br />The Crystal Hill area is reported to be winter range for elk and mule deer, but none have been <br />observed in the permitted area. Bighorn sheep and antelope have been observed six miles <br />south - southeast but the closest known winter range and breeding areas for bighorns are more <br />than 40 miles to the north. Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife reports no wildlife problems <br />in the area of Crystal Hill. <br />No water sources currently used by wildlife should be affected by operations at Crystal Hill. No <br />critical habitat, nesting sites, or fisheries of any kind have been reported in the immediate <br />vicinity. No known golden eagle or prairie falcon nesting sites exist within 40 miles. There are <br />no known threatened or endangered species in the permitted area or in the greater Crystal Hill <br />area. Overall impact of the Crystal Hill operation on wildlife is expected to be very minimal. <br />