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New Horizon North Mine <br />Parcel 2 on the site northern and eastern portions of the parcel (photos 2 and 3). The southern and western <br />portions are comprised of a more natural species composition with the dominant species being sagebrush <br />(Photo 2). <br />Methods <br />Burrowing owl surveys were conducted at the New Horizon Mine on March 30-31, April 7-8, and April <br />15 — 16, 2015. All surveys were conducted by certified wildlife biologist Robert T. Magill of Western <br />Slope Wildlife LLC. Prior to the surveys Western Fuels personnel toured the project area with Mr. Magill <br />to assist with identifying access points and locating survey observation points. <br />Surveys were conducted as pedestrian surveys with the use of Swarovski ELO 10 X 42 binoculars <br />Burrowing owl surveys were conducted according to the protocol recommended by the CPWD (2008). <br />Binoculars were used to visually survey all prairie dog holes and associated mounds, fence posts, open <br />ground, and vegetation for perched BUOW within the proposed project area. Surveys were conducted as <br />call -broadcast surveys in active prairie dog colonies. Call broadcasts were conducted using a FoxfireTM <br />game caller to broadcast the mating "coo coo" vocalization of adult BUOW and the disturbance <br />vocalization of BUOW according to the CPWD protocol. Calls were broadcast at a volume sufficient to <br />be heard across the required survey area from observation points providing extensive view of above <br />ground wildlife activity. Observation points were selected to ensure full visual coverage of the CPWD <br />delineated prairie dog colonies. Locations of observations points were documented as waypoints using a <br />hand held Garmin Etrex Vista HCxTM Global Positioning System within the project area (Figure 1). <br />Waypoints were collected in the NAD83 datum projection as Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) <br />coordinates. <br />Table 1. Survey dates, sunrise and sunset times, survey time periods, and survey results. Times are <br />displayed in military format. <br />Survey <br />Survey date <br />Sunset -sunrise <br />Survey start <br />Survey finish <br />Burrowing owls <br />detected <br />1 <br />March 30 — March 31 <br />1935-0700 <br />1634-0659 <br />1904-0740 <br />0 <br />2 <br />April 7 - 8 <br />1942-0650 <br />1739-0703 <br />1759-0752 <br />0 <br />3 <br />April 15-16 <br />1949-0638 <br />1749-0717 <br />1827-0759 <br />0 <br />Results <br />No burrowing owls were detected during the survey period (Table 1). Based on the results of the BUOW <br />surveys, all planned surface activity can commence on schedule. <br />Literature Cited <br />Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 2008. Recommended guidelines for conducting burrowing owl surveys. <br />Colorado Revised Statute. § 33-2-101 — 108. 1984. West's Colorado Revised Statutes Annotated. Title 33. <br />Parks and Wildlife. Parks and Wildlife. Article 2. Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act. <br />Federal Register. 2001. Executive Order 13186. 66FR 3853. Responsibilities of federal agencies to <br />protect migratory birds. Pp 3853 — 3856. <br />USFWS. 2002. 16 -USC 703 — 711. Migratory Bird Treaty Act January 24, 2002. <br />2015 Annual Reclamation Report Page 14 <br />