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WILDLIFE RESOURCES ASSESSMENT <br /> MORTON LAKES PROPERTY <br /> WELD COUNTY,COLORADO <br /> inhabits marshes, ponds, and stream edges, essentially restricted to aquatic and riparian <br /> habitats within floodplains. <br /> Potential Habitat and Possible Effects <br /> Suitable habitat for the common garter snake is present in the project area. Riparian <br /> and wetland areas associated with Big Dry Creek could potentially support populations of <br /> this species. The 75-to 450-foot setback along Big Dry Creek would effectively avoid <br /> and minimize adverse impacts to the common garter snake. This species would not likely <br /> be affected by the project. <br /> Large Mammals <br /> Areas within the project area provide habitat for animals including coyote (Canis <br /> latrans), red fox(Vulpes vulpes), American badger(Taxidea taxus), beaver(Castor <br /> canadensis), and raccoon (Procyon lotor). According to the Colorado NDIS,the project <br /> area does not contain seasonal elk(Cervus elaphus) or pronghorn (Antilocapra <br /> americana) ranges. The South Platte River corridor, located east of the project area, is <br /> mapped as a white-tailed deer(Odocoileus virginianus) winter concentration area and <br /> winter range, and is within the mule deer(Odocoileus hemonius) overall range (NDIS <br /> 2008). The Big Dry Creek corridor provides a potential movement corridor for these <br /> species. White-tailed deer were observed on the site and the adjacent property during the <br /> 2008 site visit. The proposed project would establish a 75-to 450-foot setback along the <br /> Big Dry Creek corridor to minimize large mammal impacts to the maximum extent <br /> practicable. <br /> Small Mammals <br /> Small mammals such as cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus spp.), deer mice(Peromyscus <br /> maniculatus), and pocket gophers (Geomys bursarius) use habitat within the project area. <br /> These species are abundant and widespread throughout northeastern Colorado. <br /> Birds <br /> Many species of birds occur in the riparian and cultivated areas of the project area. <br /> Birds observed during the 2008 site visit include cliff swallows (Petrochelidon <br /> IRO <br /> 16 Resources <br /> Corporation <br />