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

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Data available for the above - mentioned studies and documents were reviewed and compiled to describe the general faunal and habitat characteristics of the permit area in this response. Details of the site - specific surveys conducted • by CCA to address wildlife concerns identified in the "Introduction" are provided in subsequent sections. Sage Grouse Lek Monitoring Two sage grouse strutting grounds ( Twentymile and Hudspeth) occur on or near the proposed permit area. The Hudspeth ground is a lek complex. A lek complex is an association of leks that occur generally in close proximity to each other and which serve the same population, with birds usually interacting between these leks. Locations of all leks active from 1982 to 1984 are plotted on Map 22, Locations of Sage Grouse Leks and Sagebrush Habitat. In 1983 four leks were documented for the Hudppeth complex. In 1984 only one of the 1983 leks was active and a new associated lek was discovered. Rodgers (1964) has suggested that the use of multiple grounds is in response to variation in snow cover from year to year. His studies showed that in years with heavier than usual snow cover in the spring, birds will begin strutting on their winter range and gradually move to preferred grounds at higher elevations as snow cover recedes. The lek locations in the Hudspeth Complex vary only from 40 to 80 ft (12 to 24 m) in elevation from the western lek locations, which are slightly higher. However, snow cover on the two western -most lek locations did not completely clear until the middle of May 1984. Results of the 1982 through 1984 lek monitoring surveys are provided on Table 42, Results of Lek Monitoring, 1982 -1984. Highest counts obtained for cocks on the Hudspeth Complex in 1982, 1983, and 1984 were 2, 28, and 11, respectively. Accurate total counts for the Hudspeth Complex were somewhat difficult to obtain since there usually appeared to be at least some exchange of birds between grounds. Highest counts obtained for cocks on the Twentymile Lek in 1982, 1983, and 1984 were 38, 46 and 19, respectively. Monitoring in 1984 was initiated later than usual because of unusually harsh spring weather and heavier than average snow cover in the Twentymile Park area. Two visits made by John Monarch, Pittsburg and Midway Coal •Company biologist, on April 4 and 21, 1984 did not record any birds and indicated that grouse breeding activity was not initiated until late April (personal communication to Terrell Johnson, Getty Mining Company, 4/16/84 and 4/30/84). No birds were on the leks during the April 4 and 16 surveys. The initial counts conducted by CCA for 1984 were initiated on May 1. Four visits were made by CCA to each ground at weekly intervals from May 1, 1984 to May 22, 1984. At this time approximately 50 and 70 percent snow cover was present at the Twentymile and Hudspeth leks, respectively. Where possible, at least three counts were made at 5- minute intervals at each ground for each visit. All counts were made between 0.5 hour before sunrise and 1.0 hour after sunrise. The number of displaying males, non - displaying males, hens and total birds were recorded for each count. Location and aerial extent of each lek was plotted on field maps at the time of the count. Count data were summarized and tabulated by high count for each count category and survey period. In addition, 1982 and 1983 sage grouse lek survey data were reviewed and summarized. Highest counts for 1984 were made during the first survey period on May 1. Maximum counts in Colorado usually occur from April 15 to May 1 (Rodgers 1964), but poor weather conditions and snow cover on the grounds have been observed to delay breeding activity, with peak male counts occurring in the first two weeks of May (Gill 1965, Petersen 1980). Maximum cock counts obtained for 1984 were less than half of those recorded for 1983. It is uncertain whether this reduction was a result of the delayed initiation of 1984 counts missing peak activity or an actual reduction in population size, possibly due to severe winter and spring weather. Monitoring of sage grouse leks will end in 1986. Delineation and Mapping of Sagebrush Habitats All aspects of the sage grouse's life history are associated with sagebrush. Numerous studies (Gill 1965 and others) have demonstrated that the different stages of the life history of the sage grouse are associated with varying heights of sagebrush and the amount of cover provided by sagebrush. Because of the importance of sagebrush habitat to • the life history requirements of sage grouse, distinct sagebrush communities occurring within the permit were mapped, and characteristics of these communities were compared to known habitat requirements of the sage grouse. Sagebrush communities were delineated using 1:12,000 and 1:24,000 black- and - white, stereo - paired, aerial imagery; 1:6,000 true - color, aerial imagery; and a 1:15,200 color- infrared EROS photo. RN08 -05 2.04 -63 03/12/10