2017-03-23_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A

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RULE 2 PERMITS In addition to federally listed species, the state of Colorado also maintains a list of state threatened and endangered species. There are five species that are listed by the state but not the federal government, including one amphibian (boreal toad), one bird (bald eagle), and three mammals (kit fox, northern river otter, and wolverine). None of these species are expected to be present in the Collom permit expansion area. Further detail is provided below. Boreal toad (state endangered) is a species found in wetlands within high elevations forests. This type of habitat does not exist in the area; therefore, it is unlikely boreal toads occur in the Collom permit expansion area. GIS data (CDOW 2008) indicate that current boreal toad range does not include the Collom permit expansion area. Bald eagles are state threatened and were delisted from the federal list in 2007. Bald eagles may use the expansion area for foraging habitat and in winter. A pair of bald eagles was observed in the area in the winter of 2005 (see Section 2.04.11, Volume 1). Nesting sites are closely associated with larger river systems. The closest known nest sites are located along the White and Yampa Rivers. GIS data (CDOW 2008) indicate that the entire Collom expansion area (and Colowyo existing permit area) is considered summer foraging and winter foraging habitat, though no nesting, roosting, or winter concentration sites exist within the Collom permit expansion area or the existing permit area. None of the state listed mammal species are expected to occur in the Collom permit expansion area. Kit fox are known to occur in Colorado only in west -central Colorado, and this fox uses semi -desert shrubland habitat that is not present in the expansion area. Northern river otters require deep, fast moving streams, which do not exist in the Collom permit expansion area. GIS data (CDOW 2008) indicate that no kit fox or otter habitat exists in the expansion area. Finally, the wolverine is a species of high elevation, dense forests, which are not present in the Collom permit expansion area. Species designated as a species of special concern by the state or as a BLM sensitive species are also listed in Table 2.04.11-19 for reference. These other special status species include two amphibians, eleven birds, four fish, two mammals, and one reptile. 2.04.11 (5)Threatened and Endangered Plant Species Table 2.04.11-20 and Table 2.04.11-21 list the special status species known to occur in Moffat and Rio Blanco counties. Previous vegetation surveys in the Colowyo revised permit area resulted in the determination that no known rare, threatened, or endangered plant species have been documented in the vicinity of the Collom permit expansion area. A formal data request of species that are known to occur within a two-mile radius of the Vegetation Study Area was solicited from the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP). No rare, threatened, or endangered plant species were found in or near the 13,605 acre Vegetation Study Area during the intensive field efforts. Furthermore, all plant species observed during field surveys by Cedar Creek in 2005 were identified and cross-referenced with the Colorado Rare Plant Field Guide (Spackman et al., 2002). 2.04.12 Prime Farmland Investigation In order to determine the presence of potential prime farmlands within the permit area, a reconnaissance inspection was conducted to determine if any prime farmland was present in those areas to be disturbed by surface operations or facilities. Results of the investigation indicate that all of the area to be disturbed by surface operations or facilities can be excluded as prime farmland, since the land has not historically been used as cropland. This conclusion is based upon consultation with the local USDA/NRCS office. Based also on soil -survey information supplied by the Soil Conservation Service, no soil series Collom — Rule 2, Page 70 Revision Date: 12/30/16 Revision No.: TR -108