2018-08-30_PERMIT FILE - C1982057 (3)

Home Browse Search

The Western yellow -billed cuckoo (Cuccyzus americanus) is believed to occur in the general area, however, there have been no confirmed sightings or occurrences of this species within or in the vicinity of the Yoast area. An area along the Yampa River, west of Hayden has been identified as potential habitat for the yellow -billed cuckoo, based on possible identification of a call during a general survey of characteristic habitat. Four endangered fish species; the Bonytail chub (Gila elegans), Humpback chub (Gila cypha), Pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius), and Razorback sucker (Xyrauchen taxanus), are endemic to the Yampa -Green -Colorado watershed system. Populations of native fish are low to non-existent due to habitat change and predation by non-native species, however, an ongoing fish recovery program has resulted in stocking of hatchery -grown fish in the Colorado, White Green, and lower reaches of the Yampa rivers. Because the Seneca IIW Mine is relatively high in the watershed, none of these species are known to occur within the associated tributaries. Know occurrences of any of these species are generally limited to the lower Yampa in the area of Dinosaur National Monument. Breeding potential for three species of concern; sandhill crane, Grus Canadensis, loggerhead shrike, Lanius ludovicianus, and northern leopard frog, Rana pipiens, is uncertain. Bottomland habitat in the general area could support breeding leopard frogs. Beaver ponds in some of the larger drainages maintain water year-round. There is a possibility that sandhill cranes could occupy such habitat as well. Breeding pairs of sandhill cranes have been observed in isolated high -elevation drainages several miles east of the area, on and adjacent to the Seneca II Mine affected area (PRES 1996a). There is a remote possibility that sandhill cranes could nest off the eastern or western margins of the area. The loggerhead shrike was recorded during previous baseline studies at the Seneca IIW Mine. Mountain brush habitat interspersed with open foraging areas would seem to be suitable habitat for loggerhead shrikes. None were observed, however, during an extensive 1993 baseline study in very similar habitat in the Yoast area (PRES, 1994). A specific three-day survey of that same area in June 1996 also failed to locate any shrikes (PRES, 1996b). Apart from the sandhill crane, as previously discussed, no Federally- or State -listed threatened or endangered species would be expected to breed in the Yoast area. The grizzly bear (Ursus arctos), grey wolf (Canus lupus), wolverine (Gulo gulo) and Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) could potentially occur in the mountains of Northwest Colorado, but are likely extirpated from the area. These species are wide - MT 18-07 24 08/20/18