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J. E. Stover & Associates, Inc <br />December 1, 2015 <br />Page 9 <br />Greenback Cutthroat Trout <br />The greenback cutthroat trout (GBCT) was originally listed as endangered, then down -listed to <br />threatened in 1978 at Federal Register 43:16343-16345.21 No critical habitat has been designated <br />for the species. Ongoing genetic work on this species to determine taxonomic distinctions from <br />Colorado River cutthroat trout may change its legal status, and may affect the current <br />understanding of its distribution in the vicinity of the mine permit boundary. In the vicinity of the mine <br />permit boundary, and in the context of the current understanding of cutthroat trout taxonomy, GBCT <br />have been found in Terror Creek.22 <br />GBCT inhabit cold water streams and lakes with adequate spring spawning habitat. Different life <br />stages require different micro -habitat types, but clear, cold, well -oxygenated water is the <br />overarching habitat requirement. GBCT feed on aquatic and terrestrial insects, crustaceans, and <br />small fish. Reasons for decline include hybridization with other trout species, competition with non- <br />native stocked trout, and overharvest, along with water depletion, water quality impacts, and <br />fragmentation and genetic isolation of small populations. Information on the biology and taxonomy <br />of GBCT can be found in a species conservation assessment prepared by the USFS.zz <br />A total of less than 200 acres within the mine permit boundary lie within the Terror Creek watershed <br />(Figure 3), and no perennial or seasonal streams tributary to Terror Creek lie within the mine permit <br />boundary. Furthermore, no areas of permitted surface disturbance are situated within the Terror <br />Creek watershed in the mine permit boundary. Therefore, no sources of sedimentation or <br />diminished water quality that could affect GBCT would be contributed to Terror Creek from the <br />continuation of mine activities under the Bowie No. 1 mine permit. <br />Boreal Toad <br />The State of Colorado listed the boreal toad as endangered in 1993. The boreal toad (also known <br />as mountain toad) was historically widespread and abundant throughout most of the southern <br />Rocky Mountains, but has undergone a severe decline in distribution and abundance since the late <br />1970s.8 Causes for decline potentially include habitat destruction or alteration (flooding of montane <br />wetlands to create reservoirs; road construction; water, livestock, timber, minerals, and fire <br />management practices; predation by introduced trout; and other factors related to acidification and <br />heavy -metals contamination of water bodies).$ Only three boreal toad breeding sites were known <br />from Delta County, near the north county line on the Grand Mesa; no documented records of boreal <br />toad exist for Delta County since 1958.' No boreal toad range currently is mapped by CPW in the <br />vicinity of the mine permit boundary. <br />In the Colorado Rocky Mountains, boreal toad breeding habitat is still or sluggish water with <br />emergent vegetation and shrubby willows at the gently -sloping edges of small lakes or ponds, <br />beaver ponds, glacial kettle ponds, and sluggishly -flowing ditches or streams interspersed in <br />subalpine forests (lodgepole pine, Englemann spruce, subalpine fir, or aspen) between elevations <br />of 7,500 and 12,000 feet above mean sea level.$ Breeding success requires permanent or semi- <br />permanent water sources, although breeding also takes place in ephemeral water sources.$ <br />21 USFWS. 1998. Greenback cutthroat trout recovery plan. U.S. Fish &Wildlife Service, Denver, Colorado. Available at <br />http://ecos.fws.gov/does/recovery_plan/980301.pdf. <br />22 Dare et al. 2011. Cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkir) species conservation assessment for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and <br />Gunnison National Forests. <br />RARE EARTh SdEWE, LLC <br />