2016-03-17_PERMIT FILE - C1981008A

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• Adiacent Habitats. The habitat in areas immediately adjacent to the study area include habitats that are essentially the same as those previously discussed, reclaimed ground at the existing Nucla Mine and Pinyon/Juniperwoodlands (Map 2.04.11-1 ). Irrigation waters supply hayfields, pastures, and croplands. Farmsteads and orchards are present throughout the Nucla vicinity. Low-lying areas and drainages support swale vegetation. Native stands of pinyon-juniper woodland and sagebrush predominate on the bluffs above Tuttle Draw and continue to the north toward the Uncompahgre Plateau. The town of Nucla borders the study area to the east. Adjacent habitats within 0.5 miles of the study area are given on Map 2.04.11-1. Methods and Materials Site Reconnaissance and General Samgling Outline. A site reconnaissance was conducted on 20-22 May, 1987 to assess the various habitats and their distribution and to develop a baseline sampling plan. From this visit, the following general sampling outline was implemented: Sampling Periods: A spring/summer sample would take place in late May. This period would include late migrant bird species yet would cover most breeding species in the study area. Summer observational records would be made during the course of summer vegetational surveys. A fall sample would take place in early October. A winter raptor roosting and feeding area survey would be conducted in early January 1988. Habitats: The habitats to receive most of the sampling effort would be the farmsteads and orchards, swales, and rangelands. Lesser sampling efforts would be conducted in the remaining habitats. The proposed sampling outline was transmitted to Mr. Peter O'Connor of the Office of Mined Land Reclamation (OMLR) via letter correspondence dated July 6, 1987 for concurrence. Concurrence was received from the OMLR on July 31, 1987. This correspondence is documented in Peabody Attachment 11-1. Additional work was done in assessing the habitats and vegetative communities during the summer of 1999 in order to revise Map 2.04.11. Literature Survey and Information Acquisition. A literature survey was conducted to determine the historical, actual or potential occurrence of wildlife species in the Nucla area. The reports accessed and utilized included: 1) Armstrong (1972); 2) the Colorado Mammal Distribution Latilong Study (CDOW 1982); 3) the Colorado Bird Distribution Latilong Study (Denver Museum of Natural History 1982); 4) the Colorado Reptile and Amphibian Distribution Latilong Study (CDOW 1981); • 5) Stebbins (1966); and 6) the Durango Bird Club's checklist of birds of southwestern Colorado (Revised March 2006) 2.04.11-10