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RULE 2 PERMITS
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<br />hummingbird, Gambel's quail, Lewis's woodpecker, Lucy's warbler, MacGillivray's warbler, and yellow
<br />warbler. However, it is unlikely the vegetation in the drainages is extensive enough to provide breeding
<br />habitat for riparian obligates, such as the yellow -billed cuckoo. Raptors, such as long-eared owl, sharp -
<br />shinned hawk, and Cooper's hawk have been documented nesting in box elder trees in these drainages.
<br />There are numerous stock ponds within the Collom permit expansion area that potentially provide open
<br />water habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, and shorebirds; however, due to the lack of suitable cover in
<br />the majority of these areas, the ponds are not likely used for nesting.
<br />Big Game
<br />Big game is abundant in the Danforth Hills and Axial Basin. Aerial surveys for elk and mule deer are
<br />conducted annually by CPW. The results from the most recent surveys are summarized below, in
<br />addition to descriptions of seasonal big game habitat within the Collom permit expansion area.
<br />Elk - Elk within the Collom permit expansion area are part of the White River herd as defined by CPW.
<br />The total herd population was estimated as 38,000 animals in 2005, and represents the largest elk herd in
<br />Colorado (GSGWG 2008). The population of the White River elk herd has grown steadily beginning in
<br />the early 1980s, and CPW has been attempting to reduce the herd size. As a result, the herd exhibited a
<br />declining trend from 2001 to 2005, though the population remained well within the management goal of
<br />32,000 to 39,000 animals in 2005 (GSGWG 2008).
<br />A five-year average of annual aerial winter counts (January 2004 to January 2008) resulted in a
<br />population estimate of approximately 500 elk located specifically in the Collom Gulch area (D.Finley,
<br />CDOW, personal communication). This average includes counts from both severe and mild winters, and
<br />should not be considered a total count of the elk that winter in the area at any specific time. Elk
<br />abundance and distribution in this region can vary dramatically depending on the severity of the winter.
<br />Elk seasonal ranges shown on Map 13B (Sheet 1) include winter concentration areas, production areas,
<br />and areas that resident elk may use year-round. The 2008 GIS data from CPW indicate that the Colowyo
<br />revised permit area (i.e., existing permit plus Collom expansion) is both summer and winter range for elk
<br />(not shown on the map because the entire area is included at the 1:2000 scale). Resident range is located
<br />on the west side of the Colowyo revised permit area. Elk production areas are also located in the western
<br />portion as well as in a small area in the southern portion of the Colowyo revised permit area. There were
<br />no summer concentration areas mapped by CPW but there are areas of winter concentrations in the
<br />northern portion in the Colowyo revised permit area. Seasonal use of the Collom permit expansion area
<br />would be dependent on snow levels, which vary from year to year. The larger geographic region from the
<br />Danforth Hills to the Axial Basin is considered an elk migration area. Various migration pathways are
<br />also shown on Map 13B (Sheet 1). GIS data indicate Highway 13 is considered an elk highway crossing
<br />by CDOW.
<br />Mining activities in the Collom permit expansion area are not expected to limit habitat due to the
<br />relatively small area of impact and the abundance of suitable existing and reclaimed habitat in the
<br />surrounding area. Elk are known to heavily use areas of the existing mine that have been reclaimed as
<br />grasslands, particularly in the spring. Cedar Creek (2006) noted elk wallows in most of the dense aspen
<br />stands in the area. For further detail on elk habitat use and browse use, see the original Colowyo permit
<br />document (Volume 1).
<br />Mule Deer - Mule deer within the Collom permit expansion area are part of the White River mule deer
<br />herd, which is the largest mule deer herd in Colorado. The total herd population was estimated as
<br />Collom — Rule 2, Page 64 Revision Date: 11/16/16
<br />Revision No.: MR -166
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