Laserfiche WebLink
2019 Biological Resources Inventory Report <br /> 2.1.2.1 Listed Species—Habitat Suitability Assessment <br /> Field notes and digital photography were collected from within the Project area that presented suitable <br /> habitat characteristics that would support any species listed in Tables 3 and 4. <br /> 2.1.2.2 General Wildlife and Vegetation Assessment <br /> Tetra Tech biologists performed a field survey to document habitat types in the Project area. All species <br /> of wildlife and vegetation that were observed during the survey were recorded in a field logbook and <br /> photographed as practicable. Locations of certain resources, such as potential black-tailed prairie dog <br /> colonies in the Project area, were mapped using a generic GPS software loaded on the field tablet <br /> computer. <br /> 2.1.2.3 Avian Survey Methods <br /> Tetra Tech biologists surveyed the Project area for raptor nests and trees that could support raptor nests. <br /> The largest buffer for active raptor nests recommended by CPW is 0.5 mile for the Bald Eagle, so only <br /> trees within 0.5 mile buffer of the Project area were surveyed for nests. The raptor nest survey was <br /> completed during full leaf-out of deciduous trees in the Project area, so trees with the potential to support <br /> nests were observed with field binoculars to search for nests to the greatest extent possible. CPW defines <br /> an active nest as any nest that is "frequented or occupied by a raptor during the breeding season or <br /> which has been active in any of the five previous breeding seasons" (CPW 2008). Biologists also <br /> documented suitable habitat and sightings of individual bird species protected by the MBTA in the Project <br /> area. <br /> 2.1.2.4 Noxious Weed Inventory <br /> An informal survey for state listed noxious weeds was conducted incidentally during the general wildlife <br /> and vegetation assessment. This effort was not intended to be, and should not be considered, an <br /> extensive survey of the entire Project area. <br /> 2.2 Biological Resources Inventory Results and Discussion <br /> The following sections describe the results of the biological resources assessment completed for the <br /> Project area. <br /> 2.2.1 Desktop Results <br /> 2.2.1.1 Ecoregional Setting <br /> The Project is completely situated in the High Plains Level III Ecoregion. The High Plains Ecoregion <br /> includes four Level IV ecoregions. The Project area lies within the Flat to Rolling Plains (25d) Level IV <br /> ecoregion (Chapman et al. 2001). This ecoregion is characterized by moderate topological relief, silty and <br /> sandy soils, shortgrass prairie vegetation, and intermittent streams with few perennial streams. This <br /> ecoregion is known to have small scattered depressional "playa"wetlands and dense oil and gas <br /> production. Elevation in the Project area is between 4,900 and 5,000 feet above sea level. <br /> Tucson South Sand and Gravel Mine—Brighton, Colorado 7 <br />