2018-01-03_PERMIT FILE - C1994082 (14)

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The Western yellow -billed cuckoo (Cuccyzus americanus) is believed to occur in the general area, however, there have been no confirmed sightings or occurrences of this species within or in the vicinity of the Yoast area. An area along the Yampa River, west of Hayden has been identified as potential habitat for the yellow -billed cuckoo, based on possible identification of a call during a general survey of characteristic habitat. Four endangered fish species; the Bonytail chub (Gila elegans), Humpback chub (Gila cypha), Pikemimlow (Ptychocheilus lucius), and Razorback sucker (Xyrauchen taxanus), are endemic to the Yampa -Green -Colorado watershed system. Populations of native fish are low to non-existent due to habitat change and predation by non-native species, however, an ongoing fish recovery program has resulted in stocking of hatchery -grown fish in the Colorado, White Green, and lower reaches of the Yampa rivers. Because the Seneca IIW Mine is relatively high in the watershed, none of these species are known to occur within the associated tributaries. Know occurrences of any of these species are generally limited to the lower Yampa in the area of Dinosaur National Monument. SPECIES OF CONCERN Table 13 represents a listing of all vertebrate species of concern at the time the baseline work was completed. A supplement to this table (Table 13A) has been prepared to include updates through 12/2016 from the Colorado Natural Heritage Program and Colorado Parks and Wildlife listings for Colorado. Breeding potential for three species of concern; sandhill crane, Grus Canadensis, loggerhead shrike, Lanius ludol,icianus, and northern leopard frog, Rana pipiens, is uncertain. Bottomland habitat in the general area could support breeding leopard frogs. Beaver ponds in some of the larger drainages maintain water year-round. There is a possibility that sandhill cranes could occupy such habitat as well. Breeding pairs of sandhill cranes have been observed in isolated high -elevation drainages several miles east of the area, on and adjacent to the Seneca II Mine affected area (PRES 1996a). There is a remote possibility that sandhill cranes could nest off the eastern or western margins of the area. The loggerhead shrike was recorded during previous baseline studies at the Seneca IIW Mine. Mountain brush habitat interspersed with open foraging areas would seem to be suitable habitat for loggerhead shrikes. None were observed, however, during an extensive 1993 baseline study in very similar habitat in the Yoast area (PRES, 1994). A specific three-day survey of that same area in June 1996 also failed to locate any shrikes (PRES, 1996b). Apart from the sandhill crane, as discussed above, no Federally- or State -listed threatened or endangered species would be expected to breed in the Yoast area. The grizzly bear (Ursus arctos), grey wolf (Cavus lupus), wolverine (Gulo gulo) and lynx (Lynx lynx) could potentially occur in the mountains of Northwest Colorado, but are likely extirpated from the area. These species are wide-ranging, and it is possible that individuals might move through or reoccupy the region at some point in time. Based on comments received from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in October 1998, SCC committed to conducting a boreal toad survey in the spring of 1999. PRES contacted both the UDFWS and CDOW to discuss the acceptable survey methodology and scheduling of the survey. Three separate surveys were conducted: the first in late -April, the second in mid-May, and the last in early -June. The three surveys, plus a nocturnal search, yielded no evidence of boreal toad presence on the nearby IIW South Expansion area.