2018-02-21_REVISION - M2008017 (7)

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Derr Pit Project DRMS 112 Permit Amendment EXHIBIT H Wildlife Information To evaluate potential wildlife habitat impacts from the proposed operation, information was gathered during site investigations and from the Natural Diversity Information Source (NDIS). The NDIS combines plant and animal abundance data from the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) and other Colorado natural resource agencies to be used for land-use analyses and decision making. In addition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) maintains a list of federally threatened and endangered species as well as candidate species for the State of Colorado. This list was reviewed and animal species that appear on this list that are potentially applicable to the project include the following: Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) Black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) Black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) Colorado butterfly plant (Gaura neomexicana ssp coloradensis) Ute ladies’-tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis) There are small areas of the site that contain seedling plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides) and mature Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia) trees however the mature trees are all fairly degraded. A review of DOW NDIS map data for the bald eagle indicates that the project site is not near any known bald eagle nests. Thus, it is unlikely that the project will have effects on the bald eagle. More detailed information is available in the attached Birds of Prey Survey. Burrowing owls favor prairie dog holes for nesting in the spring and early summer months. This habitat type was present for a number of years however the last 12 years or so have seen frequent earth moving activity and widespread soil disturbance. There is also a lack of natural habitat within the project area as it is covered by weedy/disturbed habitat at present. Refer to the Burrowing Owl Survey for more specific information. The black-footed ferret and the black-tailed prairie dog are usually found together. Based on the previous observations it is unlikely prairie dogs are inhabiting the project site and thus anticipate that without the prairie dogs, ferrets are unlikely to be present. We do not anticipate impacts to either of these species. An investigation completed by Tiglas Ecological Services to determine if the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse habitat was present on this property, and no potential habitat was found. This led Ms. Darcy Tiglas, to conclude that there is no presence of the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse. In addition, we have submitted a request for exclusion of this property to the USFWS and have attached the response letter from the