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<br />
<br />Fish and Wildlife - Rule 2.04.11
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<br />Numerous wildlife species inhabit the general area. The most predominant are mule deer,
<br />American elk, and black bear. Other species include: coyotes, long-tailed weasels, desert
<br />cottontails, snowshoe hare, beaver, raccoon, Red squirrel, woodrat, ringtails, yellow marmots,
<br />ermine, skunk, muskrat, badger, porcupine, bobcat, white-tailed jackrabbit, marten, mink, red
<br />fox, grey fox, spotted skunk, deer mouse, long-tailed vole, golden-mantled ground squirrel,
<br />chipmunk, red-backed vole, rock squirrel, western jumping mouse, masked shrew, wandering
<br />shrew, various songbirds, upland gamebirds, waterfowl, and raptors.
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<br />There is no designated critical habitat in the permit area. However, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
<br />Service has proposed 2,094 river miles of the Colorado River and its tributaries as critical habitat
<br />for the Colorado Squawfish, Razorback sucker, Humpback chub, and Bonytail chub. These
<br />species, on the Federal and State candidate and listed species, have the potential of occurring on
<br />the study area or could be affected by a lease and subsequent coal development. None of the
<br />fishes occur on the study area or in the North Fork of the Gunnison River.
<br />
<br />The Colorado Division of Wildlife has established a corridor along the North Fork of the
<br />Gunnison River for use by the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), which is a common winter
<br />visitor to Colorado. BLM inventories conducted in 1978 through 1980, and monitoring flights
<br />conducted through 1985, did not locate any roost or nest sites, or areas of winter concentration
<br />on or near the study area. The possibility exists for nesting to occur along the North Fork of the
<br />Gunnison River.
<br />
<br />Loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus, a Federal category 2 species) use has not been recorded
<br />on the study area, although potential breeding and nesting habitat is present. Loggerhead shrikes
<br />are dependent upon sagebrush and gambel oak shrub communities for breeding and nesting
<br />habitat in this region during spring and summer. They are uncommon in the area during winter.
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<br />For specific information regarding study areas, methods for identification and counting of the
<br />various wildlife present in the area, see Section 2.04.11 of the PAP.
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<br />Additional information on fish and wildlife in the PR-14 project area is contained in the copy of
<br />the Federal Environmental Impact Statement for the Deer Creek Shaft and E Seam Methane
<br />Drainage Wells Project which can be found in Exhibit 79 of the permit application.
<br />
<br />Additional information on fish and wildlife in the PR-15 project area can be found in the habitat
<br />and wildlife reports in Exhibit 40, which were incorporated into the Supplemental Final
<br />Environmental Impact Statement for Federal Coal Lease Modifications COC-1362 and COC-
<br />67232.
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