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WILDLIFE RESOURCES ASSESSMENT <br /> MORTON LAKES PROPERTY <br /> WELD COUNTY,COLORADO <br /> Common Name Scientific Name Status Habitat Suitable Habitat <br /> 7Present <br /> Plants <br /> Colorado butterfly plant Gaura FT Subirrigated,alluvial soils <br /> neomexicana ssp. on level floodplains and <br /> coloradensis drainage bottoms between <br /> 5,000 and 6,000 feet Unlikely—Setback <br /> Ute ladies'-tresses Spiranthes FT Moist to wet alluvial along Big Dry Creek <br /> orchid diluvialis meadows,floodplains of avoids habitat <br /> perennial streams,and <br /> around springs and lakes <br /> below 6,500 feet <br /> AFT=Federally Threatened Species,FE=Federally Endangered Species,FC=Federally Candidate <br /> "Water depletions in the South Platte River may affect the species and/or critical habitat in downstream <br /> reaches in other counties or states. <br /> Sources: Service 2008;CDOW 2007. <br /> Interior Least Tern,Piping Plover, Whooping Crane,and Pallid Sturgeon <br /> The interior least tern, piping plover, whooping crane, and pallid sturgeon are species <br /> that are affected by water depletions from the South Platte River. All water depletions <br /> associated with the proposed project from the South Platte River would be augmented as <br /> required by the Substitute Water Supply Plan as approved by the Colorado State <br /> Engineers Office. Thus,these species would not be affected by the proposed project, and <br /> a consultation with the Service would not be required. <br /> Ute Ladies'-Tresses Orchid and Colorado Butterfly Plant <br /> The entire mine footprint is dry and lacks the subirrigation hydrology needed to <br /> support populations of Ute ladies'-tresses orchid or Colorado butterfly plant. Riparian <br /> areas would also be avoided to the maximum extent practicable. <br /> Potential habitats for the species listed below are more prevalent within the project <br /> area, and are discussed in further detail in the following sections. <br /> Black footed Ferret <br /> The black-footed ferret is a federal- and state-listed endangered species closely <br /> associated with the presence of prairie dogs. The project area is located within a Service <br /> Block-Cleared Area for black-footed ferrets (Service 2007). In designating a block- <br /> cleared area, the Service determined that populations of ferrets are unlikely to occur <br /> within the block-cleared area and individuals or agencies are no longer required to <br /> FRO <br /> 6 Resources <br /> Coqoratian <br />