2018-10-03_PERMIT FILE - M2018051

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Biological Resource Review Black Mountain Sands, LLC The western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) is federally protected by the MBTA and is also listed as a Bird of Conservation Concern by the USFWS Region 6 (Mountain-Prairie Region) and as threatened by the State of Colorado. A suitable habitat assessment and species-specific survey was performed within the study area on July 2018 (Two Dot Consulting 2018). A total of 46 individuals, and 153 acres of suitable habitat, was identified within the study area. Based on these results, TRC, in concurrence with Two Dot Consulting, recommends that construction be scheduled to commence outside of the nesting season (March 15-November 1). If construction is to occur within the nesting season, species-specific surveys should be performed within suitable habitat no more than two weeks prior to construction. If species are identified, a 150-foot avoidance protection buffer should be applied around the identified burrows, until such time that the young have fledged or are no longer present. 4.0 NOXIOUS WEED SPECIES Based on TRC's familiarity with the Project region, it is likely that noxious weed populations are present within the Study Area. To determine the presence and extent of noxious weed populations within the Study Area,TRC recommends that a noxious weed survey be performed within the Study Area.The results of this survey will guide the management of noxious weed species during the construction and operation phases of the Project. 5.0 REFERENCES Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW). 2008. Recommended Buffer Zones and Seasonal Restrictions for 42 Colorado Raptors. 2015. State Wildlife Action Plan Two Dot Consulting. 2018. Black Mountain Sand DJ LLC—Burrowing Owl Survey Summary. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service(USFWS). 2018. Information for Planning and Consultation. USFWS Colorado Ecological Services Field Office. Accessed September 25, 2018. https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/. TRC Page 16