2016-02-03_PERMIT FILE - C1981038 (6)

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J.E. Stover & Associates, Inc December 1, 2015 Page 6 understory, and therefore do not strictly meet the definition of PCE 1. However, nearby recent cuckoo detections suggest that this habitat could be occupied by cuckoos, whose breeding territories and foraging areas are relatively large. Canada Lynx The lynx was listed as threatened in 2000 at Federal Register 65(58):16051-16086. Although it was never abundant, the lynx has historically occurred in appropriate habitat in upper montane and subalpine zones throughout central Colorado. 16 Re -introductions of lynx in the state have met with some success, with CDOW reporting about 47 percent survivorship and moderate to high reproductive success (23 possible mating pairs) of the 204 animals released since 1999.17 Designated critical habitat for lynx is currently being proposed at Federal Register 70(216):68294- 68328 by USFWS in portions of Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Idaho, and Washington. Although no designated critical habitat for lynx is being proposed in Colorado, USFS and other federal agencies have identified lynx habitat statewide based on vegetation data, including denning, winter foraging, and other lynx habitat. Agencies have also designated Lynx Analysis Units (LAVs) which generally correspond to watersheds on National Forest lands, cover an area large enough to sustain an entire lynx home range, and are used for landscape -level planning and impact analysis. 18 Lynx habitat linkage areas have also been identified, and represent areas of essential connectivity between large blocks of mapped suitable lynx habitat. None of the Bowie No. 1 permit area falls within an LAU, although approximately 160 acres within the northwest part of the permit area are mapped as potential lynx habitat (Figure 5). Primary lynx habitat in Colorado includes coniferous forests of spruce and fir or lodgepole pine. Secondary habitat consists of aspen or Douglas -fir mixed with primary coniferous habitat, between 8,000 and 11,500 feet elevation.1' Lynx typically forage in uneven -aged forests with shrubs or small trees that provide habitat for snowshoe hares, their primary prey. Small forest openings with low cover enhance foraging habitat, although lynx mostly avoid openings larger than several acres. Closed canopy forests with significant dead and down trees provide optimum denning habitat. In areas with deep winter snow, foraging habitat must contain shrubs or small trees of sufficient height to extend above snowpack. One of the principal factors affecting lynx and snowshoe hare habitat in Colorado is human alteration of the abundance, species composition, and successional stages of forested habitats and the fragmentation of forested blocks. 16 The effects of increased human presence and roads may also reduce habitat effectiveness. Roads fragment habitat and increase the probability of mortalities from vehicle collisions. 16 Lynx are believed to be susceptible to human disturbance during the 16 Seidel, J., Andree, B., Berlinger, S., Buell, K., Byrne, G., Gill, B., Kenvin, D., Reed, D.. 1998. Draft strategy for the conservation and reestablishment of lynx and wolverine in the southern rocky mountains. Colorado Division of Wildlife, Denver, Colorado. 17 Shenk, T. 2006 (Colorado Division of Wildlife Biologist). 2006. Lynx update, March 12. Available at http://wildlife.state.co.us/NR/rdonlyres/432BB4E3-271 F-4A10-904F-E6288B9CF1 E1/0/LynxUpdateMar122006.pdf. 18 Ruediger, Bill, Jim Claar, Steve Gniadek, Bryon Holt, Lyle Lewis, Steve Mighton, Bob Naney, Gary Patton, Tony Rinaldi, Joel Trick, Anne Vandehey, Fred Wahl, Nancy Warren, Dick Wenger, and Al Williamson. 2000. Canada lynx conservation assessment and strategy. 2nd Ed. USDA Forest Service, USDI Fish & Wildlife Service, USDI Bureau of Land Management, and USDI National Park Service. Missoula Montana. RARE Fvuh SdWE, LLC