2014-10-31_PERMIT FILE - C1981044A (6)

Home Browse Search

i 0 0 0 Empire Mine Permit Rare and Endangered Species Statement November 21, 2006 (Revised 01/02/07) Rare and Endangered Species Bald Eagle - Bald eagles occur regularly in the Permit Area. Summer activity is limited to local nesting and opportunistic hunting along the Yampa and William's Fork river corridors. Because of the general lack of suitable temporary roosts (cliffs or cottonwood snags adjacent to the river) along the William's Fork River within the Permit Area, no hunting activity has been observed by mine personnel along the William's Fork. Two active nest sites occur along the Yampa River north of the mine site. The closest is located in the Big Bottom area, which is at least 1 mile north of any mine facilities or underground mine development, with the second nest located approximately 6 miles to the northeast near the Craig golf course. A number of bald eagle roost sites are located along the Yampa River from Big Bottom downstream through Round Bottom. They are generally located in cottonwood groves along the river. The entire area along the Yampa River and William's Fork drainages through the permit area is considered winter range for bald eagles. Winter concentrations of eagles along the Yampa River are extensive, often numbering in excess of 200 eagles along the entire Yampa corridor, and include a number of migrants from northern states. Winter activity, therefore, may be more widespread, with temporary winter roosts and opportunistic hunting activity primarily along the river corridors, but with opportunistic hunting extending into adjacent upland areas where small mammals or carrion may be found. Suitable winter habitat consists of secure diurnal perches, winter nighttime roosts protected from severe weather - conditions, and foraging areas associated with the two major drainages in the area. Winter concentrations occur along the Yampa River upstream of the confluence with the William's Fork and downstream of Round Bottom. The identified concentration areas are some distance (minimum of 1.2 miles) from the existing inactive mine facilities and areas where limited environmental monitoring and other site maintenance activities may occur. The closest suitable temporary roost site is a small cottonwood grove approximately 0.8 miles due west of the mine facilities area along the Yampa River, which is topographically separated and shielded from the mine facilities by a prominent ridgeline. Peregrine Falcon - Peregrine falcons occupy portions of the Yampa River canyon well west of the permit area. They may be occasional visitors to the site, but are not know to nest in the vicinity of the permit or to spend extensive time in the immediate area of the mine permit. Osprey - Osprey are occasional visitors to the Yampa River near Craig but are not known to nest in the area or spend extensive time in or around the permit area. Sandhill Crane - Northwestern Colorado supports the State's only nesting population of sandhill cranes. This nesting population has traditionally been centered east of Craig, CO in Routt County, with particular activity areas located in and around California Park in the Routt National Forest and Morgan Bottom along the Yampa River. Big Bottom, and Round Bottom to a lesser extent, has supported sandhill crane nests, foraging sites, and staging areas for crane migration for many years. This population has expanded its range and numbers significantly in recent years. Outlying habitat areas, including Big Bottom, have seen expanded nesting and summer foraging use by sandhill cranes. RN -04 1 01/02/07