2019-05-24_PERMIT FILE - M2019028 (11)

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A ERC DPG Site Threatened and Endangered Species Screening Species Potentially within Range of the Survey area The following state listed threatened and endangered species are identified to occur or historically occur within Weld County. The Survey area is located within the potential known range for these species. Further analysis was conducted to determine if the species or habitat has the potential to exist on the Survey area considering survey area-specific conditions and characteristics.A brief explanation is provided as to the species life cycle, habitat requirements and potential occurrence on the survey area. Black-footed Ferret Mustela nigripes State Endangered Burrowing owl Athene cunicularia State Threatened River otter Lontra canadensis State Threatened BLACK-FOOTED FERRET(MUSTELA NIGRIPES) The black-footed ferret (BFF) (Mustela nigripes) is a medium-sized mustelid (a member of the weasel family). The BFF is the only ferret species native to the Americas. Its historical range spanned much of western North America's intermountain and prairie grasslands, extending from Canada to Mexico. Historically, BFF habitat coincided with habitats of black-tailed prairie dog (C. ludovicianus), Gunnison's prairie dog(C. gunnisoni), and white-tailed prairie dog(C. leucurus). Prairie dogs make up more than 90% of the BFF's diet. BFF's are limited to open habitat, the same habitat used by prairie dogs: grasslands, steppe,and shrub steppe. It depends largely on prairie dogs:ferrets prey on prairie dogs and utilize their burrows for shelter and denning (Hillman and Clark, 1980). It has been estimated that about 40-60 hectares of prairie dog colony are needed to support one ferret (Belant and Biggins 2008). BFF's once numbered in the tens of thousands, but due to a combination of human-induced threats they were believed to be extinct twice in the 20th century. As of 2015, BFFs have been reintroduced in the wild at 24 survey areas across 8 states, Canada, and Mexico. • No BFF individuals were observed on or surrounding the survey area. No black-tailed prairie dog colonies were observed during the field inspection.According to the USFWS and the CPW,the survey area is located within the Block Clearance Area for BFF survey areas in Colorado (USFWS 2009). The Block Clearance means that land within in the Block Clearance Area no longer contains any wild free- ranging black-footed ferrets and that activities within these areas that result in the removal of black- tailed prairie dogs and/ortheir habitat will no longer be required to meet the USFWS survey guidelines for black-footed ferrets, or undergo consultation under Section 7 of the ESA (USFWS 2009). The proposed project and any future land use changes within the survey area should not adversely affect the continued existence or potential habitat of this species. BURROWING OWL(ATHENE CUNICULARIA) The burrowing owl (owl) is listed as a state threatened species in Colorado. The owl is small(length of 24 centimeters),long-legged,boldly spotted,and barred with brown and white. The owl is a breeding species across the plains of eastern Colorado however rarely winters in the state. Nesting habitat is abandoned burrows, especially prairie dog colonies, located in grasslands, mountain parks, well-drained steppes, deserts,prairies and agricultural lands from late March through October. The owl can usually be observed on low perches such as fence posts, dirt mounds or the ground. Clutch size of this owl averages six to seven and incubation lasts up to 30 days. The owlets usually run and forage at 4 weeks and fly at 6 weeks. 16