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2018 Biological Resources Inventory Report <br /> 2.2.1.6 Land Cover <br /> The land cover for the Project area was determined through a desktop analysis of the National Land <br /> Cover Database (Fry et al 2011). The Project area lies within cover classes identified by the NLCD as <br /> cultivated cropland, hay/pasture, herbaceous, grasslands, woody and herbaceous wetlands, and <br /> developed and barren (Figure 2). <br /> 2.2.2 Field Survey Results <br /> The field survey was completed on July 6 and 7, 2017. The following sections describe the results of this <br /> survey effort. <br /> 2.2.2.1 General Wildlife Resources <br /> Biologists documented four of the nine general wildlife species identified as having potential to occur by <br /> CPW(Table 2) in the Project area including four black-tailed prairie dogs, one Great Blue Heron, five <br /> White Pelicans, and three wild turkeys. In addition, an eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus)was <br /> observed. Other avian species observed perched or flying in the Project area included Mallard (Anas <br /> platyrhynchos),American Crow(Corvus brachyrhynchos), Black-billed Magpies (Picea hudsonia), Red- <br /> wing Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), and Western Tanager, <br /> (Piranga ludoviciana). All of the bird species observed in the Project area are protected under the MBTA <br /> (USFWS 2013). <br /> The mammals identified by CPW as having potential to occur in the Project area or identified during the <br /> survey are not restricted to the site and commonly have large home ranges. Rodent species are known to <br /> hibernate or become dormant for portions of the winter. Avian species may be migrants or residents of <br /> the Project area. <br /> Activity in the Project area would temporarily displace wildlife and reduce available habitat for animals <br /> currently living in the Project area during active operations. Vegetation and preparation of work sites <br /> poses the greatest disruption to wildlife in the Project area. During vegetation clearing, a majority of <br /> individuals would move away from construction activities given the disruptive nature of these activities. <br /> Some individuals would either attempt to hide within the path of disturbance (e.g., small mammals or <br /> reptiles may attempt to burrow underground or remain motionless within the vegetation during clearing) or <br /> would be unable to relocate away from the disturbed area. <br /> The Project is not expected to have significant impacts on migratory routes for avian resources. The <br /> Project is not within any known major avian migration corridors or stop-over sites, and would not impede <br /> flight for avian resources or prohibit stop-over in nearby areas. The Project may cause a minor temporary <br /> displacement in local food resources for carnivores as some small mammals and insects would be <br /> displaced or during construction. A slight decrease in available food for herbivores may also occur due to <br /> vegetation clearing. <br /> Some species such as birds or ungulates would continue to use the Project area while project activities <br /> are underway. Noise and dust emissions during construction would also cause some wildlife to <br /> temporarily leave the Project area during construction. No long-term impacts to wildlife species are <br /> 14 Tucson South Sand and Gravel Mine—Brighton,Colorado <br />