2015-08-17_REVISION - M1974069 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Potential Project Effects to Threatened or Endangered Wildlife Based on analyses of the species, presence or absence of habitat, and surveys, it was concluded that the project as proposed will have no effect on the continued existence of any of the above species or their critical habitat. These conclusions are discussed individually for each species below. Species identified above (A) that may be affected by water depletions to the Platte River system are not discussed further, as the operation has and will continue to implement augmentation procedures to avoid potential impacts to these species downstream. Greenback Cutthroat Trout Greenback cutthroat trout are cold water fish belonging to the trout, salmon and whitefish family. They have dark, round spots on the sides and tail and two colorful blood -red stripes on each side of the throat under the jaw, hence the name "cutthroat." During the spring spawning season the entire belly may become crimson red (USFWS, 2014a). This species inhabits cold water streams and cold water lakes with adequate stream spawning habitat present during spring. While Greenback cutthroat trout are known in Larimer County and in the Big Thompson River drainage, within the proposed project, no direct effects to the Big Thompson River drainage system are proposed. While construction of a water storage pond is proposed as a post -mining land use feature, the pond will be lined to preclude tributary groundwater depletions. Further, potential depletions to the Big Thompson River system during mining and post -mining will be augmented through an approved plan. With these measures, the likelihood of negatively impacting this species is negligible. Greater Sage Grouse Greater sage grouse are the largest grouse species in North America (USFWS, 2014b). Sage grouse are one of the members of the gallinaceous birds that conduct elaborate mating displays to attract mates. As their name suggests they are nearly endemic to big sagebrush vegetation communities throughout the American west. For that reason, the likelihood of encountering the greater sage grouse in the project area is negligible as is the potential for impacting this bird. Mexican Spotted Owl In Colorado, Mexican spotted owls occur most frequently in lower elevation forests in deeply incised, rocky canyons in southern Colorado and along the Front Range. They prefer complex forest structures or rocky canyons that contain uneven -aged, multi-level and old -aged, thick forests. USFWS designated critical habitat for the owl in 2001 and determined that populations in south central Colorado and north -central New Mexico warranted protection, while populations elsewhere did not warrant listing. Loveland Ready Mix Concrete, Inc. Page H-3 Thompson Farms November 2014