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At the request of Tetra Tech, Buys and Associates, Inc. (B&A) was asked to review <br /> habitat suitability for Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) on the <br /> Lafarge Brown property adjacent to Lafarge West, Inc. Greeley 35`h Ave Mine in Weld <br /> County north of Greeley, Colorado (Figure H-1). Lafarge West, Inc. plans to apply for a <br /> Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology 112 mining permit in this area. <br /> This survey was conducted on February 5, 2009. The Lafarge Brown property, which is <br /> approximately 12 acres in size, falls within Section 34 of Township 6 North, Range 66 <br /> West (Figure H-1). The property includes a weedy area with an active prairie dog <br /> colony. The northwestern portion of the property is bounded by a fence. The Cache La <br /> Poudre River corridor, which includes a bike path, is located just outside and northwest <br /> of this fence. Approximately 1,695 feet of the Cache La Poudre River borders the <br /> Lafarge Brown property. This portion of the river is surrounded by a riparian corridor <br /> with a middle-aged cottonwood canopy. Although the area outside and northwest of the <br /> fence described above would not be disturbed, due to its proximity to the Lafarge Brown <br /> property information about this area is included. <br /> The Lafarge Brown property was surveyed because it is within potential occupied range <br /> for the Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse (USFWS 2004): <br /> • The site is located in Weld County below 7,600 feet in elevation. <br /> • The Cache la Poudre, a tributary to the South Platte River, borders the <br /> property. <br /> • Riparian habitat occurs adjacent to the property. <br /> The riparian corridor bordering the Lafarge Brown property was assessed. The <br /> photographs that were taken during the survey are attached. <br /> The riparian corridor adjacent to the Lafarge Brown property did not contain suitable <br /> PMJM habitat. The Cache La Poudre River in this area is deeply entrenched, heavily rip- <br /> rapped and sparsely vegetated. Habitat disturbances in this area have also been caused by <br /> farming and heavy grazing practices. The shrub component is very sparse along the river <br /> in this area. Due to channelization, and past and current grazing management, the <br /> riparian zone is narrow and is dominated by upland grasses and a narrow band of <br /> cottonwood trees. <br /> The riparian corridor upstream or downstream of the Lafarge Brown property does not <br /> provide adequate cover or habitat for the PMJM. The species has not been documented <br /> within the property or in the surrounding area. As such, there is a low potential for the <br /> species to occur within the Lafarge Brown property. <br /> References <br /> US Fish&Wildlife Service. 2004. Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius <br /> preblei) Survey Guidelines. Revised April 2004. Available at: <br /> http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/mammals/preble/ <br />