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

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RAPTORS During surveys conducted in prior years in portions of the LMA no active raptor nests were located. Active nests for red-tailed and Cooper's hawks have been found in aspen trees in other nearby areas at approximately the same elevations as lower portions of the LMA. During all years of surveys, including those before these surveys, Northern Goshawks, Cooper's, sharp -shinned and red-tailed hawks have been observed in the general area. However, other than the goshawk nests no raptor nests were found in the LMA. BIG GAME During spring and early summer surveys, in addition to elk, mule deer and black bear have been commonly observed at lower elevations in the LMA. During previous years surveys in areas surrounding the LMA, they have been frequently observed. At lower elevations in the area there are also suitable conditions for mountain lions. Elk were discussed in the MIS section of this report. Mule deer have not been observed in any significant numbers during surveys in and around the LMA. None of the LMA is mapped as deer winter habitat by CPW. Deer tend to move out of the area earlier in the fall than elk and return later in the spring. The few number of deer that occur in the area undoubtedly would not be affected by activities associated with the proposed mining operations. No moose were observed during the surveys, but evidence of their presence was observed on a few occasions in the LMA area during the surveys. Moose numbers will probably always be low in the LMA. Snow depth precludes moose from using the area in the winter. During the summer months forage is limited in the LMA and there are other nearby locations where summering conditions are better for these animals. Like deer and elk, activities associated with the proposed mining program would not affect moose activities in the area. Bears or evidence of their activity have been observed during these and previous surveys at all elevations in the LMA. NEOTROPICAL BIRDS Neotropical bird activity in the lease modification area was found to be relatively low during the spring through fall period. During the winter period bird occurrence was very low with ravens being the most commonly observed species. AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES No surveys for amphibians have been conducted in the area. Suitable habitat in for these 19