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WILDLIFE RESOURCES ASSESSMENT <br /> MORTON LAKES PROPERTY <br /> WELD COUNTY,COLORADO <br /> function (Power et al. 1996). Prairie dogs can contribute to overall landscape <br /> heterogeneity, affect nutrient cycling, and provide nest sites and shelter for wildlife <br /> (Whicker and Detling 1988). Species such as black-footed ferret, burrowing owl, prairie <br /> rattlesnake, and mountain plover are closely linked to prairie dog burrow systems for <br /> food and/or cover. Prairie dogs also provide an important prey resource for numerous <br /> predators including American badger, coyote, red fox, bald eagle, golden eagle, <br /> ferruginous hawk, and other raptors. Prairie dogs also can denude the surface by clipping <br /> aboveground vegetation and contributing to exposed bare ground by digging up roots <br /> (Kuford 1958; Smith 1967). No prairie dog colony is currently located within the <br /> proposed project area. No action is necessary regarding the black-tailed prairie dog. <br /> Swift Fox <br /> Species Background <br /> The swift fox is a state species of special concern. The distribution of swift fox <br /> includes the grasslands of the Great Plains including eastern Colorado (Fitzgerald et al. <br /> 1994). Den sites are usually located on sites dominated by native shortgrass prairie <br /> species such as blue grama and buffalograss. The swift fox is sometimes associated with <br /> prairie dog towns, although they generally excavate their own dens (Fitzgerald et al. <br /> 1994). <br /> Potential Habitat and Possible Effects <br /> The project area does not support native shortgrass prairie habitat that the swift fox <br /> typically favors and is outside of the potential range of the species as mapped by CDOW <br /> (NDIS 2008). The proposed project would not impact the swift fox. <br /> Bald Eagle <br /> Species Background <br /> The bald eagle is a state threatened species. The bald eagle has a historical <br /> distribution throughout most of the U.S. As a result of population declines attributed to <br /> habitat loss,the use of organochlorine pesticides, and mortality from shooting,the bald <br /> eagle was listed as an endangered species in 1978 (Buehler 2000; 43 FR 6233 [February <br /> 14, 1978]). Since its listing, the bald eagle population has been increasing(Buehler <br /> 2000). The bald eagle was downlisted from endangered to threatened in 1995 (64 FR <br /> FRO <br /> 11 Resources <br /> (orporotion <br />