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Exhibit H: Wildlife Information <br /> The Lost Creek Mine project area is located on private land in Weld County,Colorado.Weld County Road <br /> (WCR)91 bisects the permit boundary area.The project area is approximately 6.0 miles west of the Town <br /> of Wiggins and approximately 10.5 miles east of the Town of Roggen.The Empire Reservoir is located <br /> northeast of the project area and the South Platte River is located approximately 2.5 miles north of the <br /> project area. <br /> In November 2018, a biological survey,which consisted of a wetland and waterbody delineation and <br /> federal and state-listed threatened and endangered species habitat assessment,was conducted on lands <br /> within the property boundary by TRC Environmental Corporation (TRC) under the direction of Black <br /> Mountain Sand DJ LLC(now Black Mountain Sand Weld LLC).The full Biological Survey Report is included as <br /> Exhibit H2. <br /> Game and Non-Game Resources <br /> The project area consists mostly of sand sagebrush with an understory of mid and short grasses and forbs. <br /> While some evidence of small animals,such as ground squirrels, mice,and fox and/or coyote burrows and <br /> holes were observed, no animals were actually observed in the area. No evidence of large game was <br /> observed during the biological survey. Based on TRC's evaluation, burrowing owls and habitat were <br /> determined to be in the area, as discussed below. <br /> Seasonal Use of Area <br /> The project area may be used by a variety of mammals, including mule deer,white-tailed deer, and <br /> pronghorn antelope,and birds, including songbirds and raptors,throughout the year. Mule deer severe <br /> winter range occurs in the northeastern portion of the project area,and a mule deer winter concentration <br /> area occurs immediately southeast of the project area. Pronghorn winter range occurs in the lower half of <br /> the project area and a pronghorn winter concentration area occurs immediately west of the project area. <br /> No bald or golden eagle winter roosts or nest sites are known to occur in the area. <br /> Federal Threatened and/or Endangered Species <br /> Exhibit H2 describes special status species on and in the vicinity of the application area. In consultation with <br /> the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS),three federally listed species (Mexican Spotted Owl, Colorado <br /> Butterfly Plant, and Ute Ladies'Tresses Orchid)were identified as having the potential to occur within the <br /> project area.An additional five federally listed species (Least Tern, Piping Plover,Whooping Crane, Pallid <br /> Sturgeon, and Western Prairie Fringed Orchid)were identified as being located outside the project area but <br /> still having the potential to be indirectly affected due to general water use within the South Platte River <br /> Basin. No other federally-listed species were identified as likely to be affected by project implementation. <br /> Based on TRC's assessment of each of the federally listed species' habitat requirements, range, and <br /> distribution, no suitable habitat was identified for the Mexican Spotted Owl, Colorado Butterfly Plant,or <br /> Ute Ladies'Tresses Orchid within the project boundary. <br /> Black Mountain Sand Weld LLC(Black Mountain),through its partner company Black Mountain Land <br /> Company, LP, currently has access to existing water rights from permitted water wells within the Lost Creek <br /> Basin.This water is currently used for agricultural and rangeland uses on privately owned lands within and <br /> adjacent to the project area on lands owned by Black Mountain Land Company, LP. Some water from the <br /> permitted water wells will be used at the processing plant and to control dust on haul roads;there will be <br /> 1 <br />