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

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EXHIBIT H Skull Creek Sand Project Seasonal migrations of elk in the unit contribute to fence damage across the northern portions of the unit from Buckwater Draw and Moosehead Mountain, north to Dinosaur National Monument, east towards Bear Valley, and south into the Wolf Creek basin. Additional fence damage may occur as elk move towards Dinosaur National Monument, seeking refuge during hunting seasons. Winter forage conflicts occur as elk move to winter range along the Utah state line east of Dinosaur. Occasional winter forage conflicts also occur when elk move towards lower elevations near the Skull Creek, Massadona, and Wolf Creek areas. The majority of spring/fall forage conflicts involving E-21 elk occur along the White River east of Rangely. Greater Sage-grouse Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophosionus) Overall Range has been documented in and around the project area. The Overall Range encroaches in the south west corner of the project, however CPW also maps Historic Range of the Greater Sage-grouse which encompasses the SCS project. CPW (2017) defines Overall Range as an area which encompasses all mapped seasonal activity areas within the observed range of a population of sage grouse and Historic Habitat as the data set was created by mapping efforts of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologists for the Statewide conservation plan in 2005.This dataset was based on the historic grouse range delineated by Schroeder et al 2004 and was further refined by biologists in the Colorado Statewide Greater Sage Grouse Conservation Plan Committee. The portion of the Overall Range is also mapped as Preliminary Priority Habitat (PPH) and Preliminary General Habitat (PGH) within Colorado. This data is a combination of mapped grouse occupied range, production areas, and modeled habitat (summer, winter, and breeding). PPH is defined as areas of high probability of use (summer or winter, or breeding models) within a 4-mile buffer around leks that have been active within the last 10 years. Isolated areas with low activity were designated as general habitat. PGH is defined as Greater sage- grouse Occupied Range outside of PPH. Sage-grouse are found only in areas where sagebrush is abundant. Sagebrush is a critical component for sage-grouse providing both food and cover. Although these birds are found at altitudes of 6000-8500 feet, they are not forest grouse and prefer open sagebrush flats or rolling sagebrush hills. Approximately 72.2 acres of Greater Sage-grouse Range falls within the Project Boundary, of which, approximately 6.3 acres will be within the Affected Land disturbed by mining. As the PPH and PGH areas are within the Overall Range, the Greater Sage-grouse Overall Range has been depicted in relationship to the SCS Project area in Figure 3. Bald Eagle Bald Eagle (Holiaeetus leucocepholus) Winter Range has been designated within and outside the permit area. CPW (2017) defines Winter Range as those areas where bald eagles have been observed between November 15 and April 1. It should be noted that the nearest mapped nest is great than 13 miles from the project, and there is a known roost within 7 miles. All of the Project Boundary and Affected Land falls within Bald Eagle Winter Range. Figure 4 depicts the SCS project area in relationship to Bald Eagle Winter Range. A raptor survey was conducted in August 2019 as is included in this Exhibit. 9/19/2019 9