Laserfiche WebLink
2018 Biological Resources Inventory Report <br /> 3.1 Federal and State Listed Species <br /> No federal listed species were determined to have suitable habitat in the Project area. Five state-listed <br /> species were determined to have suitable habitat and potential to occur within the Project area including <br /> burrowing owl (ST), brassy minnow(ST), plains minnow(SE), suckermouth minnow(SE), and river otter <br /> (ST).These species are protected against take under CRS 33-2-105. Species-specific mitigation <br /> measures for each species are described in Section 2.2.1.4 and are summarized in Table 10 below. All <br /> state threatened and state endangered species within the Project area will be protected against take <br /> under CRS 33-2-105. <br /> Table 10: <br /> Mitigation Measures for State-Listed Species With Potential To Occur in the Project Area <br /> Sdensflc Name Midgedon Measures <br /> common Name (Release) status <br /> Burrowing Owl Athene cunicutaria ST Pre-construction surveys for burrowing owls according to CPW- <br /> recommended survey protocol would be conducted in these locations if <br /> construction occurs during the burrowing owl breeding season(March <br /> 15—October 31).If nesting owls are observed,the nesting location will be <br /> documented and the CPW-recommended seasonal 150-foot non- <br /> encroachment buffer will be implemented to minimize the potential for <br /> species harassment <br /> Brassy minnow Hybognathus hankinsoni ST These have potential to occur in perennial and intermittent waters <br /> Plains Minnow Hybognathus ptackus SE intersected by the Project.Perennial and intermittent streams in the <br /> Suckermouth Minnow Phenacobius mirabilis SE Project area will be avoided.No impacts to these species are expected. <br /> River Otter Lontra canadensis ST The Project would avoid direct impacts to the river otter and impacts to <br /> potential river otter breeding habitat along the South Platte River and its <br /> associated riparian area including potential natal dens for the river otter. <br /> No impacts to the South Platte River,the river otter,or its habitat is <br /> anticipated. <br /> 3.2 Migratory Birds <br /> Two potential raptor nests were observed in the Project area during the raptor nest survey. Neither were <br /> confirmed to be active at the time of the survey. Nest surveys will be completed prior to the first year of <br /> construction during the winter months prior to leaf-out of trees in the Project. If an active raptor nest is <br /> encountered during pre-construction surveys,AI will follow the recommendations of CPW's <br /> "Recommended Buffer Zones and Seasonal Restrictions for Colorado Raptors" (CPW 2008) Construction <br /> disturbance is not expected to affect raptors to the extent that injury, loss of productivity, or nest <br /> abandonment occurs.All migratory birds within the Project area will be protected against take under the <br /> META. <br /> 3.3 Vegetation Resources <br /> The field survey identified 47 species of native and introduced plants within the Project area. Seven main <br /> cover types were observed during the field survey and are shown in Figure 3: forested riparian floodplain, <br /> mowed grassland, fallow corn field, invasive annual grassland, invasive annual/biannual forbland, and <br /> Tucson South Sand and Gravel Mine—Brighton,Colorado 19 <br />