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1J ':I <br /> Transit Mix Concrete Co. <br /> (NRCS and WHC, 1999b). The wild turkey population in Colorado is estimated at 21,000 <br /> Merriam's turkeys, and the turkey population is self-sustaining and increasing (Vasquez, 2005). <br /> "The Merriam's turkey has the widest distribution and is the most common <br /> subspecies of the wild turkey in North America. The Forest is well within the <br /> distribution range of the Merriam's turkey. They occupy many forested <br /> mountainous areas throughout western Colorado, especially those with <br /> ponderosa pine, pinyon-juniper, oakbrush, and cottonwoods. On the Forest, <br /> turkeys are primarily associated with ponderosa pine, pinyon-juniper, Gambel <br /> oak, and forest-meadow edges, aspen and mixed conifer forests. Figure 2 shows <br /> the relative breeding season abundances for the wild turkey and reflects the <br /> percent change per year, based on Breeding Bird Survey data" (Vasquez, 2005). <br /> { <br /> f <br /> Al—M Poicem CF.",.P.Vex <br /> >30-100 �l­ -15 <br /> >10-30 -1.5 to-0.25 <br /> 013-10 ❑>-0.25io0.25 <br /> ❑nt_3 >0.25 to+L5 <br /> ❑None C.-t d <br /> Figure 2. LEFT:Relative breeding season abundance of the wild turkey based on average number of buds per route.obtained <br /> from Breeding Bind Survey data(Sauer et al.2005). RIGHT:Percent change per year in turkey abundance during the breeding <br /> season.obtained from Breeding Bird Survey data(Sauer et al.2005). <br /> (Vasquez, 2005) <br /> Threats to Merriam's wild turkey are primarily related to loss of habitat, specifically timber <br /> harvest or fire; however, turkey habitat can be improved or created provided proper planning <br /> and implementation (Vasquez, 2005). "Management activities in pinyon-juniper appear to have <br /> the greatest impact on turkeys when treatments isolate roosting sites because of reductions in <br /> pinyon-juniper cover habitat (travel corridors between roost sites) or when suitable roosting <br /> trees are eliminated" (Vasquez, 2005). The Quarry design does not impact the south-facing <br /> slopes north of Little Turkey Creek, and this area of pinyon-juniper woodland will not be <br /> affected, which will protect wild turkey habitat. From previous studies, it has been documented <br /> that the harvesting of ponderosa pine trees caused temporary reduction in turkey population; <br /> however, following the completion of the harvesting, the turkey population returned or exceeded <br /> the original numbers (Vasquez, 2005). The existing mixed conifer forest within the Quarry area <br /> Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry Permit Application <br /> March 9, 2018 E-19 <br />