2016-12-23_PERMIT FILE - C1982056A (8)

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Upland Game Birds - The principal upland, gamebirds occurring on the permit area are sage grouse, mourning dove, and sharp - tailed grouse. Blue grouse are also potential inhabitants but preferred habitat is generally lacking •within the permit area. Blue grouse exhibit a strong preference for open stands of aspen or conifers with an understory of shrubs (Rodgers 1968). Sharp- tailed grouse prefer grassland or cultivated areas interspersed with shrub cover (Rodgers 1969). No known sharp- tailed dancing grounds occur within the proposed permit area. Sage grouse rely heavily on sagebrush for food, cover, and nesting, and most observations of this species were made in sagebrush or cropland habitats in the northern or western portions of the permit area. One sage grouse lek and a lek complex are: known to occur on or near the proposed permit area (Map 22, Locations of Sage Grouse Leks and Sagebrush Habitat). These grounds were monitored by the Applicant's biologists in 1982 and 1983 and by CCA biologists in 1984. Results of the lek monitoring studies and sagebrush studies also conducted by CCA in 1984 are discussed in subsequent sections. Mourning dove were observed in all habitats in the permit area but were most common along the edges of dirt roads passing through cropland and sagebrush, particularly in the vicinity of small stock - ponds. Waterbirds - Aquatic: habitat for waterbirds in the permit area is limited to Fish and Foidel Creeks and small stock - ponds. Since permanent emergent vegetation is sparse around most permit area aquatic habitats, the value of these habitats for waterbirds is restricted primarily to their use as loafing or feeding areas for puddle ducks and some wading birds. Breeding by mallard was noted in backwater or small oxbow areas associated with Fish Creek and in a few of the stock -ponds supporting suitable vegetative cover. Other waterbirds observed on the permit area include American coot, green- winged teal, American wigeon, Cinnamon teal, Wilson's phalarope, killdeer, great blue heron, and sandhill crane. Sandhill cranes were noted relatively frequently foraging as pairs or small groups in cropland and low sagebrush communities throughout Twentymile Park. Results of the sandhill crane nesting survey are presented in a subsequent section. Songbirds - Representative songbird species observed on the permit area were species primarily associated with sagebrush, cropland, and open grassland habitats. Species frequently observed included red - winged blackbird, Brewer's blackbird, black- billed magpie, western meadowlark, vesper sparrow, Brewer's sparrow, and green - tailed towhee. All other species observed or expected to occur on the permit area are listed along with habitat preferences on Table 40, Bird Species List for the Permit Area. Aquatic Organisms - The following discussion is presented only for Fish Creek since this is the only stream that may be affected by mine development. The information presented is based on the findings of aquatic studies listed in "Methodology" section of this response. Fish Creek lies in the upper Colorado River Basis in northwestern Colorado and flows through the eastern edge of the Yampa Coal Field. Fish Creek originates in the Dunkley Flat Tops area and flows northeast into Trout Creek to the east of the permit area. Upper Fish Creek drainage is heavily vegetated with aspens and conifers, while lower portions, including its reach in the permit area, are more xeric and support sagebrush and grasses. Fish Creek is a relatively narrow (less than 3 m), low gradient (0.2 %) stream throughout most of the permit area except near the eastern edge where it begins to widen. The stream is widely meandering but lacks woody riparian vegetation throughout most of its reach in the permit area. Undercut banks and deep pools are also generally lacking in the permit area. The principal aquatic, emergent macrophytes occurring along the edge of Fish Creek are Nebraska sedge (Carex nebraskensis) and spike -rush (Eleocharis macrostachya). Benthic invertebrates are organisms living on and in the substrate of streams. In streams like Fish Creek they are primarily the immature forms of aquatic insects. In the riffles net - spinning caddisflies (H dropsyche and Cheumatopsyche) and chironomids are predominant. Common Benthic invertebrates in pool habitat include chironomids, tubificid worms (Limnodrilus sp.), and the elmid beetle (Dubiraphia quadrinotata). • Fish species occurring in Fish Creek are characteristic of the lower portions of other streams in the area. Generally, shallowness and relative lack of cover and pools limits fish species diversity and abundance in permit area sections RN08 -05 2.04 -75 03/12/10