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• <br />stands. Pedestrian surveys concentrated primarily within the extension area, and secondarily <br />on the perimeter. <br />Other potential nesting habitat on the survey area (cliffs, rock outcrops) were examined with <br />binoculars and spotting scopes. All raptor nests were plotted on 1:400 scale maps. Detailed <br />notes regarding nest characteristics and possible species' occupancy were recorded in the field. <br />Species of Concern <br />Species of concern for the project area included Federal- and State -listed threatened and <br />endangered species, and other species listed as "rare or imperiled" by the Colorado Natural <br />Heritage Program (CNHP). During fieldwork, biologists watched for species of concern and <br />habitats that could support them. The potential occurrence of species of concern was <br />evaluated through literature review and the results of on-site habitat inspection. <br />Results and Discussion <br />Appendix 11-1 lists all mammal, bird, reptile, and amphibian species that potentially occur on <br />the extension area, based on species' range and habitats present. The lists include those <br />species which could reasonably be expected to frequent the area during migration, as well as <br />seasonal or year-round residents. Species actually observed during fieldwork on the extension <br />area are noted. Wildlife habitats are described below; data on big game, raptors, and species <br />of concern follow. <br />Habitat Descriptions <br />Vegetation communities in the 1,674 acre extension area were mapped and described in 1997 <br />by ESCO Associates, Inc. This information appears in the vegetation section of this Permit <br />Application (Tab 10). Wildlife habitat types on the extension area were basically synonymous <br />with the vegetation communities. Brief descriptions are presented in the following section and <br />more detailed information can be found in Tab 10. <br />Mountain Brush. Mountain brush was the most prevalent habitat in the extension area, <br />encompassing approximately 736 acres. This habitat was found on moderate to steep slopes <br />throughout the area, often in large, contiguous blocks. It included both the Mountain Brush <br />and Steep Mountain Brush vegetation communities mapped and described in Tab 10. Tall <br />deciduous shrubs characterized this habitat. Gambel oak (Quercus gambelil, serviceberry <br />(Amelanchier alnifolia), chokecherry (Padus virginiana), and mountain snowberry <br />(Symphoricarpos rotundifolius) were the principal woody species. In many areas, the <br />vegetation in mountain brush habitat was very dense and extremely difficult for humans to <br />move through. The understory was dominated by herbaceous species and varied greatly in <br />density relative to the woody overstory. <br />35 Revised 9/98 <br />..__. ...:._::�..> ::..::s_�^..3G;,a ,,: 's"'+ '•.S'_._��5i7iii'.:�KKv 'o' �.r�s?Ssi'.�a. . -?t"?]It'o? lri'�t4s. <br />