2018-07-19_PERMIT FILE - X201821210

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Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement I Federal Coal Lease Modifications COC -1362& COC -67232 as the primary factor contributing to vehicle -wildlife collisions (Gunther et al. 1998). Neither is considered to be a factor for this project due to the lack of suitable habitat in the project area. There are no landscape linkage areas in or near the project area or any travel routes associated with the project. The Recovery Outline (USDI FWS 2005) identifies core areas, secondary areas and peripheral areas, based on historical and current occurrence records, as well as confirmed breeding. The Southern Rockies (Colorado and Wyoming) were identified as a Provisional Core Area. This designation was identified because this area contains a reintroduced population. Reproduction has been documented but it is too early to determine whether a self-sustaining population will result. A total of 37 dens and 116 kittens had been located in Colorado prior to the 2009 breeding season (CPW 2009). In November 2005, the FWS proposed critical habitat for lynx (USDI FWS 2005a). In 2006 Critical Habitat for the lynx was designated, with none occurring in the Southern Rockies (USDI FWS, 2006). A revised critical habitat designation which does not include lands within Colorado has been proposed (USDI FWS, 2008). On September 12, 2014, the USDI FWS revised Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections for the contiguous United States distinct population segment (DPS) of Canada lynx The Service finalized both a revised critical habitat designation for the lynx DPS and a revised definition for what constitutes the range of the DPS — the portion of the species' North American range in which lynx are protected by the Act.(USDI 2014) None of the critical habitat occurs in Colorado. See bottom of section for reference. Extensive stands of pure aspen may not provide quality hare (primary prey) habitat due to deficiencies in winter habitat characteristics. However, when mixed with spruce/fir, aspen (especially younger stands) may substantially contribute to prey productivity (Ruediger et al. 2000). Lynx transplanted into Colorado were frequently located in well-developed riparian and valley wetland shrub habitats of the upper montane and subalpine zones. These ecotones may provide quality foraging habitat for lynx. Lynx Standards and Guidelines from the GMUG Forest Plan are shown in Table 6 of the Biological Assessment found in the Project File. 3.10.1.3 Alternative 1 (No Action) Environmental Effects The direct and indirect impacts of the no action alternative would not change current habitat or population conditions of Canada lynx in the short term. Long-term changes would continue to be dependent on existing conditions, current succession of vegetative types, and other actions within the project area, as indicated in the cumulative effects tables and discussions in this analysis. The ongoing aspen decline may result in both short- and long-term loss of aspen at a landscape scale in this area. 3.10.1.4 Alternative 3 (Proposed Action) Environmental Effects WLAU boundary and acreage has changed but the effects have not. Still the same disturbance and habitat alteration as discussed in the BA and still the same not -reaching -threshold -we -consulted -on, even if the acres were revised to reflect a better fit to suitable habitat Under Alternative 3, the Forest Service would consent to and BLM would modify the leases with stipulations outlined in Section 2.2 including those related to Canada Lynx and TES species. For this analysis, all lease stipulations are considered to be in effect. Mining may result in subsidence of surface topography as coal is removed from below ground. This subsidence has resulted in landslides and other surface changes on unstable and steep slopes in other portions of the Forest in which such mining has occurred. Such disturbance, however, has been limited to steep and unstable ground and has not been widespread in undermined areas. Most surface subsidence has been relatively uniform across the landscape and in most areas, does not visibly alter surface features or vegetation. 189