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Transit Mix Concrete Co. <br /> 7. Within the Inter-Seasonal Movement and Winter Habitat portion of Stantec Consulting <br /> Service's Potential Mexican Spotted Owl Habitat and Use for the Hitch Rack Ranch Project <br /> report, Stantec states data collected between 1992 and 1996 show MSO winter habitat consisted <br /> of low elevation canyons or drainages with a north-to-south orientation. With this known data, <br /> please discuss, in accordance with Rule 6.4.8(1), if any of the affected lands could be considered <br /> winter habitat for MSO. <br /> Response: There is limited data on MSO winter habitat, but available data suggest: <br /> • MSO may occupy a variety of woodland types of forest and shrubland up to 10 <br /> miles from the summer range. <br /> • MSO use more open habitats in winter compared to the mature, old-growth forest <br /> required for breeding habitat. <br /> • MSO used canyons with a north-south orientation. <br /> • MSO prefer pinyon juniper woodlands with some ponderosa pine. <br /> Some of the affected lands contain relatively poor winter habitat for MSO considering <br /> there are no north-south oriented canyons and vegetation in the quarry area is primarily <br /> mixed conifer. The access road follows an existing ranch road through grassland for much <br /> of the alignment and specifically avoids shrubland areas. Also, according to the MSO <br /> recovery plan, there is widespread MSO winter habitat and therefore winter range is not <br /> likely a limiting factor for MSO recovery. <br /> 8. Within the Potential MSO Breeding Habitat Model portion of Stantec Consulting Service's <br /> Potential Mexican Spotted Owl Habitat and Use for the Hitch Rack Ranch Project report, Stantec <br /> states the project area does not contain suitable MSO breeding habitat based on the lack of <br /> narrow, steep-walled rocky canyons typical of MSO breeding habitat in Colorado. In accordance <br /> with Rule 6.4.8(1)(d), please discuss if the final topography, as proposed in the Reclamation <br /> Plan, will create potential MSO breeding habitat in the project area. <br /> Response: The Reclamation Plan does not create potential MSO breeding habitat as the <br /> project does not create the narrow steep-walled canyons necessary for MSO breeding <br /> habitat. <br /> 9. Within the Discussion portion of Bio-Logic's Hitch Rack Ranch 2017 Nesting Raptor Survey <br /> report, Bio-logic states a family of Cooper's hawks, including two fledglings, was found in July <br /> 2015 on the quarry site. In accordance with Rule 6.4.8(1) and Rule 3.1.8(1), please clarify if the <br /> location of the nest for these Cooper's hawks was identified in 2015 and discuss any future <br /> surveys and mitigation plan, prior to the commencement of mining activities, specific to these <br /> Cooper's hawks. <br /> Response: Transit Mix commits to coordinating with CPW and USFWS on conducting the <br /> necessary surveys and mitigating impacts to species of concern, including this Cooper's <br /> hawk and nest. <br /> Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry(M-2017-049) <br /> Response to Comments—March 9,2018 <br />