2018-09-04_PERMIT FILE - C1980007 ‎(19)‎

• Permit No: C1980007
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 9/4/2018
• Section_Exhibit Name: 2012 Lease Modification Area Habitat and Wildlife Report
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

and alpine meadows in the LMA. None were observed in ponds in the upper reaches of
the Deep Creek drainage during the four years of surveys or during previous years trips
into the general area where the LMA is located.
Northern leopard frog: There is suitable habitat for northern leopard frogs in ponds
found within the LMA. None were observed during the four years of surveys or during
previous surveys in the area. They have been found in ponds at lower elevations in the
Dry Fork of Minnesota Creek drainage.
MANAGEMENT INDICATOR SPECIES
The USDA Forest Service, Region 2, lists eight species, seven terrestrial vertebrates and
common trout, which occur, potentially occur, or habitat for which occurs in the
Gunnison National Forest as Management Indicator Species. The purpose of this section
of the report is to address these species and determine if the proposed activities are likely
to affect any of these species or their habitat within the project area. Only those species
known to occur in the area or for which there is suitable habitat are shown on Table 3.
Habitat is lacking for Abert's squirrel, Brewer's sparrow and Common trout. They are
shown in Table three, but will not be discussed in the report.
TABLE 3: MANAGEMENT INDICATOR SPECIES
Project Name: Mountain Coal Company, LLC Lease Modification Area
Species
Habitat Present
Species Present
Terrestrial vertebrates:
Elk
Yes
Yes
Abert's squirrel
No
No
American marten
Yes
Yes
Northern goshawk
Yes
Yes
Merriam's wild turkey
Yes
Yes
Red-naped sapsucker
Yes
Yes
Brewer's sparrow
No
No
Common trout
No
No
Common trout include Colorado River cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, brook trout
and brown trout.
Elk: Elk populations within the LMA move seasonally to and from higher to lower
elevation habitat. Shifts in distribution and habitat use patterns occur as a result of
elevational migration in response to snow cover. During the four years of surveys elk
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