2019-11-27_PERMIT FILE - M2019058 (20)

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Appendix-10 Keenesburg Project RETTEW Project No.114782000 Colorado Sand Company LLC April26,2019 Ranch roads were utilized to get as close as possible to each pre-determined sample point location,then field crews walked the remainder of the way. Final sample point locations were chosen to be representative of surrounding habitat.The portion of the project area investigated during the field effort was limited to the areas around each sample point and the most direct routes between each location. 3.3.2 Results The majority of the project area consists of moderately to heavily grazed pasture with a significant amount of sandy bare ground. The only wildlife species observed during the investigation included red-tailed hawk, deer, and jackrabbits. Rodent burrows and tracks were observed scattered throughout the project area. A magpie nest was observed in the grove of Russian olive trees in the southeast quarter of Section 12. No suitable trees fo nesting raptors were noted. No evidence of prairie dogs or prairie dog burrows were observed. No rap or nests, dens, or other wildlife signs were observed. Ennis Draw contains wetlands and ponded water in areas (Appendix A, Figure 2). These wetland areas contain dense vegetation that was not present in upland portions of the project area, and likely provide water and habitat for passing birds, wildlife, and cattle. 3.4 Conclusions The following wildlife species were identified as having the potential to occur in the project area: • Burrowing owl • Mountain F lover • Black-tailec prairie dog • Plains pock t gopher. These species were selected based on their range and general habitat requirements. No known occurrences of these species within the project area were identified during the desktop review or the field investigation. The burrowing owl (Ath ne cunicularia)is federally protected by the MBTA and is also listed as threatened by the State of Colorado. Burrowing owls prefer to nest in shortgrass prairie,often in or adjacent to prairie dog towns. They nest nd live in underground burrows created by prairie dogs, ground squirrels and badgers.Although no prairie dog towns were observed within the project area,the field investigation was limited in scope and field crews did not survey the entire project area. Therefore, there is potential for burrowing owl habitat to exist within the project area. The mountain plover( aradrius montanus) is federally protected by the MBTA and also as State Special Concern Species in Colorado. Mountain plovers inhabit prairie grasslands, arid plains and fields. Nesting plovers choose shortgr ss prairies grazed by prairie dog and cattle, and overgrazed taligrass and fallow fields. No plovers or ne is were observed during the limited field investigation; however,suitable habitat may exist within the pr ject area. The Black-tailed prairie dog(Cynomys ludovianus) is a State of Colorado Special Concern Species but is not protected under state law. No prairie dogs or prairie dog towns were observed during the site investigation. The sandy soils found throughout the project area may not provide suitable habitat for prairie dogs. 7