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Baseline Technical Report <br /> ARCADIS Report for Soils and Biological <br /> Resources, MLE2 Project Area <br /> 4. WILDLIFE RESOURCES <br /> ARCADIS conducted an inventory of wildlife habitats and species within the survey <br /> area in conjunction with evaluating vegetation communities from July 29 to 21, 2011. <br /> Important observations are shown on Figure 4-1 and discussed in detail below. <br /> 4.1 Big Game <br /> Prior to visiting the survey area, existing baseline information indicated that the <br /> Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis) is the most abundant big game species <br /> within the survey area. CDOW habitat mapping (2011) indicates that the area <br /> provides summer and overall ranges, while crucial winter range is found two to five <br /> miles northeast of the survey area. Elk sign (primarily pellet groups)was observed on <br /> several occasions throughout the survey area, particularly in aspen dominated <br /> woodlands, open conifer dominated woodlands, and dense conifer dominated <br /> woodlands. <br /> CDOW habitat mapping (2011) indicates that the survey area provides summer and <br /> overall ranges for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), with some crucial winter range <br /> just south of Sections 1 and 6. Mule deer sign in the form of pellets was observed on <br /> several occasions, throughout all vegetation communities, in the survey area during <br /> the wildlife inventory. A female and two young mule deer were also observed <br /> foraging on the understory of an aspen dominated woodland in Section 1. In addition, <br /> two young bucks were observed foraging on the understory of a coniferous forest in <br /> the northern finger of Section 6. These individuals were foraging in the near vicinity <br /> of noisy road-work, which may indicate their adaptability to human disturbance. <br /> Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) do not generally occur within the District, but areas <br /> of bighorn sheep overall and winter ranges are found several miles to the northeast <br /> and southwest (CDOW 2011). No bighorn sheep, sign of bighorn sheep, or habitat <br /> suitable for this species was observed in the survey area. <br /> The survey area is part of black bear (Ursus americanus) overall range, and is also <br /> designated a human/bear conflict area (CDOW 1997). The conflict area is that <br /> portion of the overall range where two or more confirmed black bear complaints per <br /> season were received which result in CDOW investigation, damage to persons or <br /> property, and/or removal of the problem bear(s). Black bear sign in the form of scat <br /> was observed on several occasions in aspen-dominated woodlands as well as <br /> open/dense conifer dominated woodlands. <br /> CCV Baseline Soils Biology Resource Report(11-17-11).doc 16 <br />