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RULE 2 PERMITS <br />.:�9let+"`al£;S1fP$!3'A^C t'°.i:'i"4�}i;i:L^f �`,4,: "�:+? r�.,"s•"N.'r .,,: :i; �"v'1 •.F -:;:f;..;",; Ir'4,*. �A'.: '�J'. "«�+"k 5'CAx Ja�:J£�"llrcmt iFilkails%Af�:�:<w:�'�:'M�'�+a�"Mf.�:,: ;,I9 <br />habitat type also affected the diversity and numbers of rodents; and d(4) rodents were not drastically <br />affected by cover removal of the habitat improvement areas. <br />Lagomorphs <br />When the pre -mining wildlife studies began in 1974, Lagomorph numbers were extremely low. The CPW <br />estimated jackrabbit densities at 4.0 animals/square mile and cottontail densities at about 10.0 <br />animals/square mile in 1974. Observations from 1974-1979 showed a stead increase in numbers with a <br />peak probably occurring in 1979. Cyclic population fluctuations of these two species is a common <br />occurrence which makes it difficult to accurately estimate numbers. <br />Relative abundance, presence, and probably habitat of Lagomorphs are set forth in Table 2.04.11-11, <br />Wildlife Species that Occur or are Likely to Occur in the Colowyo Permit Area. <br />Avifauna <br />Species of birds that occur or are likely to occur in the permit area and the habitat where the species is <br />likely to occur are listed in Table 2.04.11-11, Wildlife Species That Occur Or Are Likely To Occur In <br />The Colowyo Permit Area. All species that were observed during field surveys are noted on the list. <br />Raptors <br />Surveys were conducted by VTN personnel during baseline data collection in 1974-1977, and again by <br />Colowyo personnel during the spring and summer of 1980. The most common raptors observed on the <br />permit area from 1974 to the present include Red -tail Hawks, Marsh Hawks, American Kestrels, Great <br />Horned Owls, Golden Eagles, Prairie Falcons, and Turkey Vultures, all of which represent year-round <br />residents with the exception of the turkey vulture. Other raptors that have been observed include the <br />Swainson's Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Rough Legged Hawk, and Perigrine Falcon. <br />Raptor nests located during field surveys are recorded on the Wildlife Observations Map (Map 15). Red - <br />trailed hawks are known to have nested on the northern side of the Streeter Draw lease in 1975 and 1978. <br />A pair of Red-tailed Hawks nested on a power pole in Taylor Creek in 1980. One Fledgling was observed. <br />A pair of Cooper's Hawks has been observed at a possible nesting site during 1979 and 1980. The location <br />of two Golden Eagle nesting complexes were obtained from the CPW. The nests are located on sandstone <br />cliffs adjacent to State Highway #13 as shown on the Wildlife Observations Map (Map 15). <br />The area to be mined does not provide suitable nesting habitat for most of the species mentioned. Most of <br />the preferable nesting habitat such as sandstone cliffs, rock outcropping, and trees are found to the north <br />in Axial Basin, to the west along Taylor and Wilson Creeks, and to the east along Good Spring Creek. To <br />date no raptor nests have been found in the area to be mined, although these areas and the reseeded areas <br />provide excellent hunting areas for raptors. <br />Raptor species that occur or are likely to occur in the permit area are listed in Table 2.04.11-11, Wildlife <br />Species that Occur Or Are Likely To Occur In The Colowyo Permit Area. <br />Upland Game Birds <br />Observations of sage grouse have been common in the vicinity of the mine for the last several years; the <br />area is used heavily for nesting and brood rearing from the nesting season through the fall months. No <br />strutting grounds have been found on or near the area to be mined, but information contained in a July 23, <br />1980 letter rand map from the CPW noted that the general area immediately north of the Colowyo permit <br />Rule 2 Permits 2.04.11-7 Revision Date: 10/3/16 <br />Revision No.: MR -136 <br />