2018-03-09_PERMIT FILE - M2017049 (28)

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dv BIOrLogic in( Natural Resource Consultants detected on the Ranch during any of the surveys, and we concluded that it is very unlikely that any breeding MSO were present during the breeding season in 2015 through 2017(BIO-Logic 2017). Although the Hitch Rack Ranch is apparently not occupied by territorial breeding MSO, it is possible that unmated transient MSO could occupy the Ranch in summer, or MSO could occur on the Ranch in winter when MSO tend to move to lower elevations(Johnson 1997). Due to the possible presence of non-breeding MSO on the Ranch, and the need to determine potential effects of the project on MSO habitat, it is important to assess the quality and extent of MSO habitat. The purposes of this MSO Habitat Assessment are to 1)define the extent of MSO breeding habitat and other habitat, 2)assess and map the quality of MSO habitat including non-breeding foraging habitat, and 3) assess connectivity of MSO habitat on the Ranch with adjacent habitat areas,to assess the landscape-scale value of MSO habitat on the Ranch. PROJECT AND SITE DESCRIPTION Transit Mix proposes to develop a granite quarry on the 1,432-acre Hitch Rack Ranch property in rural El Paso County, Colorado(Figure 1). According to the state permit application for the project, mining operations would disturb less than 239 acres of the Ranch. Mining would be incremental and include 5 phases, with contemporaneous reclamation occurring after mining in each area is completed. The surface mining operation would require removal of vegetation and topsoil, surface excavation to expose and remove granite, and crushing and sorting of rock for shipment off-site. Reclamation would include re- grading,topsoil replacement, and revegetation. The property lies primarily within the Little Turkey Creek watershed,at elevations ranging from about 6,500 to 7,720 feet(Figure 3). The lower, southeastern part of the property contains mostly gentle slopes and hills with dry open forest, shrubland, grassland,and agricultural lands. This part of the Ranch would contain a new access road that would be constructed for the quarry. The northwestern part of the property contains higher and more rugged terrain of rocky ridges separated by narrow drainages. This part of the property is mostly forested with mixed conifer forests on north-facing slopes and drier ponderosa pine, pinyon juniper, or mountain shrub communities on south-facing slopes. This rugged northwestern part of the property in Section 16 contains the proposed quarry site, and contains potential habitat for MSO. The study area for this MSO Habitat Assessment includes the forested Ranch lands in Section 16. Little Turkey Creek flows southeast through the property from its source near Green Mountain in the Pike National Forest to the west. The north side of the drainage is dominated by steep slopes that form a ridge which separates Little Turkey Creek from Deadman Creek,a tributary to Little Fountain Creek. The area south of Little Turkey Creek,where the proposed quarry site is located, ascends gradually to the south and southwest and is characterized by numerous well-defined intermittent drainages separated by steep ridges. Springs and seeps are present in several of the drainages. A few unpaved roads cross the northwest part of the property,with the main road immediately adjacent to Little Turkey Creek(Figure 4). There are no residences and little human activity in this part of the Ranch. Exploration drilling to examine the granite resource and hydrology has included minor roadbuilding and occasional entry by workers and equipment over the past 3 years.