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of Fish Creek. Common species present include white sucker (Catostomus commersoni), speckled dace
<br />(Rhynichthys osculus), red shiner (Notropis lutrensis), and roundtailed chub (Gila robust a).
<br />• Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive (TES) Species — On June 25, 1997, Mr. Terry Ireland, of the Grand
<br />Junction Office of the USFWS, was contacted to identify any currently listed Threatened or Endangered species
<br />potentially occurring within the project area. Mr. Ireland identified two listed species as potential inhabitants of
<br />Township 5 North, Range 86 West, 6"' Principle Meridian, Spiranthes diluvialis (Ute Lady's Tresses), and
<br />Halieaeetus leucocephalus (Bald Eagle). In addition, the Upper Colorado River Basin has been identified as
<br />providing critical habitat for four Endangered fish species: Pytchocheilus lucius (Colorado Squawfish), Gila cypha
<br />(Humpback Chub), Gila elegans (Bonytail Chub) and Xyrauchen texanus (Razorback Sucker). Lastly, two
<br />Candidate species were noted for the area: Boreal toad and Lynx Canadensis (Canada lynx). A more recent
<br />(October 2006) check of the USFWS Endangered Species List for Routt County indicates that the following species
<br />are identified as potentially occurring within the County: Bald Eagle, Yellow - billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus
<br />americanus), Bonytail chub, Colorado pikeminnow (formerly sgawfish), Humpback chub, Razorback sucker,
<br />Black - footed ferret (Nlustela nigripes), and Canada lynx.
<br />Review of habitat preferences for the identified species indicates that preferred habitat does not exist within the
<br />planned surface disturbance or subsidence areas, so the potential for impacts on these species is minimal. No
<br />significant water depletions are anticipated as a result of the proposed mining operations, therefore, no impacts are
<br />anticipated for the endangered fish species identified. Habitat for the boreal toad typically occurs at elevations
<br />exceeding 7,500 feet. All disturbance and activity associated with this project will occur at elevations well below
<br />7,500 feet. Lastly, the project area is generally too low to provide suitable lynx habitat during most of the year.
<br />There is some potential that lynx could utilize some of the higher areas for winter habitat, however, the mining
<br />operations should not :impact the potential for lynx to utilize these areas during the winter months.
<br />Based on more recent (2010) TES listings from both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Colorado Division
<br />of Wildlife, the potential exists in the region and the eco -types associated with the Permit Area, for the following
<br />• Threatened, Endangered, or Sensitive species to occur or utilize these areas:
<br />Canada Lynx
<br />Bald Eagle
<br />Peregrine Falcon
<br />Greater Sandhill Crane
<br />Greater Sage Grouse
<br />Columbian Sharp- tailed Grouse
<br />Western Yellow - billed Cuckoo
<br />Colorado Pikeminnow
<br />Bonytail Chub
<br />Razorback Sucker
<br />Humpback Chub
<br />Greenback CutthroatTrout
<br />The TCC Permit Area is not within designated critical habitat for any TES species, and no federally - listed
<br />threatened or endangered species occur within the current Permit boundaries (Exhibit 23, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
<br />Service Letter Regarding T &E Species, and March 2010 USFWS Threatened and Endangered Species System
<br />Listing for Routt County Colorado). Preferred habitat for Canada Lynx is dense, isolated coniferous forest, which
<br />does not exist within the current Permit Area. Bald eagle and peregrine falcon may occasionally pass over this area
<br />during migration, or during brief hunting forays, but suitable habitat and preferred food sources for these species
<br />are not present in the Permit Area. The Natural Diversity Information System does not show the range for the
<br />Western Yellow - Billed Cuckoo as including Routt County, and identified habitat preference for this specie is warm,
<br />lowland riparian areas, which are not represented in the Permit Area. Fisheries within and for some distance
<br />downstream from the Permit Area do not support year -round trout populations, and occurrences of the other TES
<br />fish species do not extend into the Upper Yampa River Basin.
<br />The greater sandhill crane is listed as an endangered sub - species by the State of Colorado. The Permit Area lies
<br />within the region designated as a nesting range by Torres et al. (1978). Major staging and roosting areas for the
<br />• Colorado sub - population of greater sandhill cranes occur to the northwest of the Permit Area along the Yampa
<br />River and near the Hayden Generating Station. Cranes are commonly observed in Twentymile Park during spring
<br />and summer and limited nesting by cranes in the park has been documented. A survey for nesting sandhill cranes
<br />RN08 -05 2.04 -76 03/12/10
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