2014-11-14_PERMIT FILE - M2014043 (3)

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Ms. Susan Linner U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Page 2 October 9, 2014 Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat Assessment On September 18, 2014, Henry Konker with ERO Resources Corporation (ERO) assessed the study area for the presence of habitat suitable for federally listed threatened and endangered species protected under the ESA of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (2014 site visit). ERO also assessed the project for possible indirect effects on listed species. Prior to the 2014 site visit, a list of species that could potentially be affected by the project was obtained from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Information, Planning, and Conservation System (IPaQ website (available at: http: / /ecos.fws.gov/ipac /, updated September 29, 2014). The study area does not fall within habitat or survey guidelines for the majority of the species listed by the Service as potentially being present in the study area (Table 1). Table 1. Federally threatened, endangered, and candidate species potentially found in the studv area or with potential to be affected by the project. ERO Resources Corporation Suitable Habitat Present or Common Name Scientific Name Status' Habitat Potential to be Affected by Project? Mammals Preble's meadow Zapus hudsonius T Shrub riparian/wet No habitat, block jumping mouse preblei meadows clearance zone Birds Interior least tern Sterna antillarum E Sandy /pebble beaches on No habitat; no athalassos lakes, reservoirs, and rivers depletions anticipated Mexican spotted owl Strix occidentalis T Closed canopy forests in No habitat steep canyons Piping ploverz Charadrius T Sandy lakeshore beaches No habitat; No melodus and river sandbars depletions anticipated Whooping crane Grus americana E Mudflats around reservoirs No habitat; no and in agricultural areas depletions anticipated Fish Pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus E Large, turbid, free- flowing No habitat; no albus rivers with a strong current depletions and gravel or sandy anticipated substrate Plants Colorado butterfly plant Gaura T Subirrigated, alluvial soils No habitat neomexicana ssp. on level floodplains and coloradensis drainage bottoms between 5,000 and 6,400 feet Ute ladies' - tresses Spiranthes T Moist to wet alluvial No habitat orchid diluvialis meadows, floodplains of perennial streams, and around springs and lakes below 6,500 feet ERO Resources Corporation