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'„ TransitMixConcrete Co. <br /> IV. Potential Effects <br /> The project will ultimately disturb about 239 acres of mostly forest and shrubland, primarily in <br /> the mine site, with a small amount of grassland affected mainly by the new access road. Only <br /> portions will be affected during each phase of mining, with reclamation commencing after each <br /> phase is mined. <br /> With appropriate mitigation measures (discussed below), including low vehicle speeds and pre- <br /> construction nesting raptor surveys, no significant direct mortality of wildlife is expected from <br /> construction or operations. Wildlife habitat, mainly young-aged mixed conifer forest, will be lost <br /> for a period of several years during each mining phase. Reclamation will aim to reestablish a <br /> post-mine land use of wildlife habitat. Flat areas will be reclaimed to grassland, drier slopes <br /> reclaimed to shrubland, and wetter slopes reclaimed to forest stands with the same tree species <br /> that exist now. Reclaimed grasslands are expected to provide functional wildlife habitat within a <br /> few years, including big game and wild turkey forage, habitat for small mammals and open- <br /> country birds, and foraging areas for raptors. Reclaimed forest and shrubland areas will <br /> progress through seral stages, initially providing habitat structure and function similar to <br /> grasslands, then progressing to greater height and cover of shrubs and trees. It will take roughly <br /> 50 to 80 years to return forest stand characteristics to pre-mining conditions. The habitat <br /> changes may temporarily be averse to most wildlife during mining, then after reclamation, sites <br /> will become usable at first by big game and other species that utilize forest openings and very <br /> young forest stands. Eventually, reclamation should return planted shrub and forest stands to <br /> conditions similar to pre-mining. Because some areas of existing forest will be reclaimed to <br /> grassland in the Quarry site, the existing relatively low diversity of vegetation communities and <br /> habitat types will be increased to a mix of forest, shrubland, and grassland covering an area of <br /> about 200 acres. The temporary loss of habitat during mining operations would not be likely to <br /> jeopardize the continued existence of any wildlife species in the area or cause a permanent <br /> change in wildlife abundance or movement patterns. After revegetation is complete, the Quarry <br /> site may support a greater diversity of wildlife species due to greater habitat diversity, with <br /> generalist and habitat "edge" species favored such as elk, mule deer, turkeys, and black bear. <br /> Localized disturbance of wildlife is likely from human presence and increased noise. Some <br /> larger animals including elk, black bear, and mountain lion may avoid the mining area during <br /> operational hours. While the permit area is part of a large landscape used by migrating big <br /> game and large carnivores roaming large home ranges, the surrounding and adjacent <br /> landscapes are lightly developed and provide an abundance of similar movement opportunities <br /> for wildlife. Any temporary displacement or redirection of movements of large animals is not <br /> likely to result in significant changes in abundance or distribution of any wildlife species. The <br /> new Quarry design will not affect the migration corridor identified by The Nature Conservancy in <br /> opposing the last application because it preserves the area north of Little Turkey Creek. <br /> This project will have no real impact to Mexican spotted owl. Surveys conducted over three <br /> consecutive years have documented that Mexican spotted owls are not resident at the site. No <br /> Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry Permit Application <br /> March 9,2018 H-5 <br />