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ATTACHMENT 11-1A <br />THREATENED, ENDANGERED, AND SENSITIVE SPECIES <br />2017 UPDATE <br />Rare Species <br />The only rare plant species with Federal status that would likely occur in this part of Colorado is Ute <br />Ladies" Tresses orchid (Spiranihes divuvialis), listed as threatened by the USFWS. In western Routt <br />County, the only suitable elevations and habitat for this species are found in the vicinity of the Yampa <br />River along the floodplain. Since the lowest elevation of the Yoast Area is about 6,850 feet, and well <br />removed to the south of the Yampa River, there would seem to be little potential habitat. <br />With regard to other plant species not listed as threatened or endangered by USFWS, but regarded as rare <br />by the Colorado Natural Heritage Inventory (CNHP 1996 and update through 12/2016), several have <br />known occurrences in Northwest Colorado (Leathery grape fern, Crandall's wild hollyhock, Large - <br />flowered globe -mallow, Gay -feather, Many -stem stickleaf, Autumn willow). These occurrences are <br />mostly at lower elevations and further west than the Yoast Area. Many of these require seepy sandstone <br />cliffs not found in the study area, and many occur on outcrop sites where active weathering and erosion <br />keeps soils thin and competition low. These latter conditions are also not characteristic of the study area. <br />Some of these rare plant species are early season annuals. Early season floral inventory would be <br />required to assess these species and fill in the early season flora missing from the study area species list, <br />however, since the Mine is in reclamation and no further disturbance is anticipated, further study is not <br />warranted. <br />Threatened or Endangered Species No Federally -listed Threatened or Endangered animal species are <br />likely to occur on the study area. The bald eagle is known to winter along the Yampa River and may <br />occasionally wander over the study area, but suitable habitat for wintering bald eagles is not present in the <br />Yoast study area. Although not listed as Threatened or Endangered, the golden eagle has been given the <br />same legal protection as the bald eagle by virtue of its inclusion in the "Bald Eagle Protection Act". <br />Similar to bald eagles, golden eagles may occasionally utilize the area for hunting, however, nesting is <br />unlikely due to habitat considerations. <br />The Greater sandhill crane (Grits Canadensis) is listed as a species of Special Concern by the State of <br />Colorado and may rarely wander onto the study area. Sandhill cranes are known to utilize portions of the <br />Yampa River Valley for migration and for dancing and staging areas. Wildlife Resources Information <br />(inventory maps) obtained from the CDOW classifies the Yampa River north of the Permit Area as a <br />migration zone. The area to the west of the confluence of Sage Creek and the Yampa River in the vicinity <br />of the Hayden Power Station is designated as a dancing and migration zone. There are known crane <br />nesting areas within approximately 1.0 to 1.5 miles of the Yoast property and cranes are occasionally seen <br />on-site, however, there are no known nests within the Yoast Permit Area. <br />The status of the Greater sandhill crane was summarized by Bieniasz (1979). According to her <br />discussion, the Morgan Bottom area near Hayden Colorado is a traditional migration staging area for the <br />greater sandhill crane. The area is used by approximately 250 cranes during April, May, and September. <br />The birds roost at night in meadows adjacent to the Yampa River and disperse during daytime to <br />traditional congregation areas. One such area, used for feeding, loafing, and courtship activities. is <br />located near the Tie -Across Haulroad, between US Highway 40 and County Road 51A. Based on maps <br />(Bieniasz, 1979), the haulroad would pass within about 0.75 mile of the crane use area (Exhibit 11-1). <br />