Laserfiche WebLink
2019 Biological Resources Inventory Report <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 /> expected by the Project. Permanent reclamation of the site will be reclaimed as two below-grade water <br /> storage reservoirs and a reclaimed upland meadow in the Project area. Native vegetation will be seeded <br /> and planted which will support wildlife species. Wildlife would be allowed to return to the Project area <br /> following mining operations. Overall wildlife and vegetation habitat is expected to improve compared to <br /> the habitat that currently exists. Available food for both herbivores and carnivores is expected to increase <br /> when the Project is completed because wildlife habitat and vegetation habitat is expected to improve. <br /> 2.2.2.2 Raptor Nest Survey Results <br /> During the field surveys, two potential raptor nests were observed in the Project area (TM-UNK-01, TM- <br /> UNK-02) (Figure 1). The nests were not observed to be active during surveys. In addition, two Red-tailed <br /> Hawks were identified on several occasions flying over the Project area. Several large stands of <br /> deciduous trees with the potential to support raptor nests were observed throughout the Project area and <br /> within a 0.5 mile buffer of the Project area. The east side of the Project area in the riparian corridor along <br /> the South Platte River was noted to have a relatively high abundance of potential nesting sites <br /> Tucson South Sand and Gravel Mine—Brighton, Colorado 15 <br />