Laserfiche WebLink
RULE 2 PERMITS <br />increase attractiveness to sharp -tailed grouse. For example, in Routt County, numbers of sharp -tailed <br />grouse have increased in areas of mine reclamation due to the use of diverse seed mixtures containing <br />grasses, forbs, and shrubs (GSGWG 2008). <br />GIS data (CDOW 2008) indicate that Columbian sharp -tailed grouse production areas occur in the central <br />and western portion of the Colowyo revised permit area (i.e., existing permit area plus Collom expansion) <br />(Map 15B Sheet 3). Except for the southern tips, most of the Colowyo revised permit area is sharp -tailed <br />grouse winter habitat. <br />Ten Columbian sharp -tailed grouse leks have been documented in the Collom Wildlife Study Area. Five <br />of these leks were active in both 2006 and 2007, two were active only in 2006, one was active only in <br />2007, and two were inactive in both years (Cedar Creek 2006, 2007). In 2006, abundance at active leks <br />ranged from three sharp -tailed grouse at STLekI (one male, two unknown sex) and STLek2 (two males, <br />one unknown sex) up to 37 at the Burn lek. In 2007, abundance at active leks ranged from five sharp - <br />tailed grouse (five males, no females) at STLek3 up to 14 sharp -tailed grouse (12 males, two females) at <br />the Burn lek. Abundance appeared to fluctuate among years; however, only one site visit was made each <br />year. Therefore, this variation in counts could be due to sampling variation rather than actual changes in <br />abundance. <br />Seven sharp -tailed grouse leks were within the Collom permit expansion area (Table 2.04.11-18). Leks <br />STI and ST2 would be within or near mining disturbance at Little Collom X (Map 15B Sheet 3). These <br />leks were active in 2006 with three grouse observed at each lek; however, neither was active in 2007. <br />Fish <br />Fish in the area would be limited to Wilson Creek. Collom Gulch and Jubb Creek flows, also perenneial <br />streams, tend to be low flows expect during precipitation events and are not a likely to support a fishery. <br />The CPW has not classified Wilson Creek for fisheries, but it is expected to contain similar fish species as <br />Good Spring Creek located to the east of the expansion area. Good Spring Creek has been classified by <br />the CDOW as a non -fishery stream. <br />Surface mining of the Collom expansion area may result in minor water depletions from the Yampa <br />River, which would have the potential to impact habitat for endangered fish in the Colorado River Basin. <br />The extent of expected water depletions is described in the following section. As the estimated additional <br />depletion resulting from mining activities in the Collom expansion area is less than 100 acre-feet, <br />initiation of consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would not be needed to determine any <br />necessary mitigation measures. <br />Specific input from CDOW February 15, 2011 letter regarding Greater Sage -Grouse, Columbian Sharp - <br />tail grouse, Elk and Deer populations in the Collom Expansion Area. This is presented as historical <br />information from PR -03, as additional mitigation measures have been deemed necessary by CPW <br />Please see Section 2.05.6(2) for additional information. <br />Greater Sage -Grouse (GSG): Currently, the Axial Basin (including the Collom Pit Area) is mapped as <br />core range for sage grouse. Greater sage grouse use a much larger area for their life cycle and will be <br />adversely affected by this action. The birds that are utilizing the established leks on the open ridge tops <br />spend the spring, summer and fall there and migrate to the lower elevations of the basin for winter. Many <br />birds that strut and nest in the basin utilize the open ridge tops for the summer and fall. Therefore, there <br />is significant movement of GSG to and from the open ridge tops located within the permit and <br />disturbance boundary during the spring, summer and fall months. A majority of the birds leave the ridge <br />tops during the winter months and spend that time in the basin. The Collom expansion will encompass 4 <br />mapped sage grouse leks with two of those leks located within the disturbance boundary. The disturbance <br />Collom — Rule 2, Page 66 Revision Date: 12/30/16 <br />Revision No.: TR -108 <br />