2015-10-27_REPORT - M2008022

• Permit No: M2008022
• IBM Index Class Name: REPORT
• Doc Date: 10/27/2015
• Doc Name: Proposed Mitigation Plan
• From: WestWater Engineering for Elam Construction, Inc.
• To: DRMS
• Email Name: ACY
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

and/or during spring and fall. Appendix E contains a list of birds that have been observed in
the Craig Southeast block (Breeding Bird Atlas Explorer 2010; Kingery 1998).
The Yampa River drainage, as well as the gravel pits and wetland areas east of the mitigation
area, provides suitable habitat for waterfowl. The existing riparian corridor along the
drainage, with its perennial water regime and vegetation, attracts both resident and migratory
waterfowl species. Populations fluctuate over the course of a year, with numbers increasing
in spring and fall as migratory birds use the habitat as temporary resting and feeding areas.
The end result of the project will be approximately one acre of open water surrounded by
approximately three acres of associated wetlands. Properly designed and constructed, these
two features could provide a significant amount of waterfowl habitat. Waterfowl, especially
puddle ducks, prefer shallow water and the associated emergent vegetation for feeding and
nesting. Gently sloping banks on the lake should provide emergent vegetation along the
banks to a width of several feet; this type of shoreline will provide quality habitat for
waterfowl and shorebirds.
Common nesting and summer resident species include Canada Goose, Mallard, Gadwall, and
Cinnamon and Blue -winged Teal (Appendix E). Nesting occurs along the riparian corridor
most commonly in undisturbed wetland habitats and in upland areas adjacent to aquatic
habitats. Construction of the proposed wetlands will result in the creation of valuable habitat
for songbirds as well.
The species most likely affected by project construction include the American Bittern,
Willow Flycatcher and Veery that may nest in the project area. Sensitive birds that may
occur in the proposed mitigation area are summarized in Table 2.
The Bald Eagle is listed by the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) as a threatened
species. It was recently (2007) delisted as a Federal threatened species. In northwest
Colorado, Bald Eagles most commonly nest in cottonwood trees along major rivers including
the Yampa River. The same pair often reuses nests each year. Bald Eagles feed on fish,
small mammals, waterfowl and often carrion including winter -kill deer and elk carcasses.
CDOW National Diversity Information Source (NDIS) (2010) records show 2 roost sites
along the Yampa River within 1 mile of the proposed mitigation area. Roost trees and
communal roost sites are sensitive habitats traditionally used by Bald Eagles during winter
migratory periods.
Three active Bald Eagle nests are currently found within 0.5 mile of the project area along
the Yampa River. CDOW recommends temporal restrictions on construction within 0.5 mile
of Bald Eagle nest sites from 15 October — 31 July to prevent disruption of the annual nesting
cycle. Some raptor species, including bald eagles, habituate and tolerate human activity,
particularly in situations where nests are located in an area of ongoing human activity. Bald
Eagles nesting in the vicinity of the mitigation site have been successful in producing young
despite long-term gravel mining operations nearby.
The Yampa River riparian zone is high quality habitat for nesting and wintering Bald Eagles.
Figure 5 depicts the nesting and roosting areas used by the eagles along the Yampa River.
Buffers for each of the roost areas are included.
WestWater Engineering Page 4 of 24 July 2012