2019-10-08_PERMIT FILE - M2019054 (74)

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EXHIBIT H Skull Creek Sand Project Black Bear First, Overall Range for black bear(Ursus omericonus) has been mapped adjacent to the permit area. CPW(2017) defines Overall Range as the area which encompasses all known seasonal activity areas within the observed range of a population of black bear. The species is especially common in forested, woody riparian, and wetland areas along perennial waterbodies (Armstrong et al. 2011). Black bears usually occur at low densities in similar habitats within the region, and their presence or absence is highly dependent on existing disturbance and available food sources.A black bear may have a range from 10 to 250 square miles. The SCS project does not contain habitat that is suitable to the Black Bear and is not expected to be impacted by the project. This Black Bear Overall Range is found within one mile of the SCS project area by the CPW database (Figure 1). Rocky Mt. Elk Next, Overall Range for Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus conadensis) is mapped within and adjacent to the project area. Also,the SCS project boundaries fall within the area shown as Elk Winter Range as well as Elk Severe Winter Range by the CPW database. CPW (2017) defines Overall Range as the area which encompasses all known seasonal activity areas within the observed range of an elk population, Winter range as that part of the overall range of a species where 90 percent of the individuals are located during the average five winters out of ten from the first heavy snowfall to spring green-up, or during a site specific period of winter as defined for each DAU and Severe Winter Range as that part of the range of a species where 90 percent of the individuals are located when the annual snow pack is at its maximum and/or temperatures are at a minimum in the two worst winters out of ten. In Colorado, elk are distributed across the western two-thirds of the state,generally at elevations above 6,000 feet (1,829 meters) amsl (Armstrong et al. 2011). Elk are typically found in forested habitats, although in northwestern Colorado elk are found in large herds during the winter months in open sagebrush shrublands and grasslands (CPW 2012b). Winter habitat for elk typically consists of low elevation rolling hills, meadows, and agricultural fields. However, unlike mule deer, elk are not as susceptible to harsh winter conditions due to their nutritional requirements and large body size, and often remain at higher elevations longer. Spring and fall migrations are facultative and are tied to weather and forage quality. Upland meadow and mountain shrub habitats provide the highest-quality forage areas for elk within the big game analysis area. Figure 2 depicts the project in relationship to Elk Severe Winter Range. Elk within the Project Area are part of the Rangely/Blue Mountain herd (DAU E-21) as defined by CPW. The Rangely/ Blue Mountain elk herd (E-21) is managed as a quality elk herd. All elk licenses are limited and bull license numbers are set to provide hunters with a unique opportunity to harvest a "quality" bull. Efforts by wildlife managers have included a variety of early and late public land hunting opportunities, private-land-only licenses valid from August 15 through January 15, and landowner programs that promote additional cow elk harvest from private lands within the unit. Despite these efforts, elk numbers remain above objective and seasonal conflicts with livestock producers and landowners occur.The draft "Game Damage Annual Fiscal Repot Fiscal Year 2018" list the Rangely /Blue Mountain herd Target Population as 1200, but has a 2017 Post Est. Population of 3876 of 323%above Target. Conflicts identified by wildlife managers in E-21 include fence damage and forage conflicts. 9/19/2019 8