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Baseline Technical Report <br /> ARCADES Report for Soils and Biological <br /> Resources, MLE2 Project Area <br /> Plants <br /> • Pale moonwort(Botrychium pallidum): state rare plant <br /> • Reflected moonwort(Botrychium echo): state rare plant <br /> • Rocky Mountain columbine (Aquilegia saximontana): state rare plant <br /> • Western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclara): federally threatened <br /> The least tern, piping plover, whooping crane, sandhill crane, and pallid sturgeon are <br /> all associated with water bodies, particularly, the South Platte River in Teller County. <br /> Activities associated with the survey area do not affect waters of the South Platte <br /> River or its tributaries. Waters leaving the area generally feed creeks which drain to <br /> the south and ultimately may flow into the Arkansas River. The five species are not <br /> likely to be affected by project activities. The discussion of the remaining listed <br /> species that follows includes site-specific information, where appropriate. <br /> 5.1 Birds <br /> 5.1.1 American Peregrine Falcon <br /> The American peregrine falcon is a state listed species of concern. This species <br /> inhabits open spaces usually associated with high cliffs and bluffs overlooking rivers <br /> or other large bodies of water (CDOW 2011). No American peregrine falcons were <br /> observed in the survey area. In addition, there is no suitable habitat(i.e., cliffs or high <br /> bluffs) for this species in the survey area. Individuals of this species may occasionally <br /> pass through the area during migration but are not expected to stopover in the area <br /> due to the lack of suitable habitat. <br /> 5.1.2 Bald Eagle <br /> In June 2007, the Secretary of the Interior announced the removal of the bald eagle <br /> from the USFWS threatened and endangered species list. However, bald eagles <br /> continue to be protected under the federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and <br /> the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. <br /> Food availability is probably the single most important factor affecting bald eagle <br /> distribution and abundance. Fish and waterfowl are the primary sources of food. Big <br /> game and livestock carrion, as well as larger rodents (e.g. prairie dogs), also can be <br /> important dietary components where these resources are available (Ehrlich et al. <br /> 1988). <br /> CCV Baseline Soils Biology Resource Report(11-17-11).doc 21 <br />