2020-01-27_PERMIT FILE - M2020002

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, t The entire project area is within the overall range of the Swift Fox (Vulpes velox), a state species of special concern. CPW recommends pre-construction surveys to identify and avoid all maternal swift fox den sites. Swift fox live here year-round, breed during December, and raise their young into the next fall. It is recommended that swift fox surveys include daylight searches for den areas and nighttime spotlight searches during August and September. Swift fox is a species of state and federal concern that lives in and around the proposed area. Riparian and stream impacts: The project area includes Horse Creek, which is a drainage that is dry most of the year but sees flowing water during heavy rain events. Within the Horse Creek drainage there are populations of Arkansas darter (Etheostoma cargini) upstream and downstream of that location and the project area is considered potential habitat for darters. There should be minimal impacts to any riparian areas or stream beds, both during construction and after, and any stream bed should be handled as a stream crossing whether or not water is present at the time of construction. Minimizing impact to these streams is a priority for CPW and avoidance is best whenever possible. CPW recommends a ground disturbance buffer with minimal activities or operations within 300 feet of any lake, reservoir, wetland or stream. Erosion and sediment control precautions should be in place to avoid deposition into water ways. Destruction of riparian vegetation and truck/heavy machinery stream crossings should be avoided. CPW further recommends crossing riparian corridors and streams at a perpendicular angle, in order to reduce impacts to natural resources, as well as spanning the corridors with structures located outside the riparian and stream zone. CPW recommends avoiding treed areas of cottonwood and willow, as these areas provide bird and wildlife habitat. During construction, stream crossing by construction vehicles should be avoided. CPW requests that any new service roads that are proposed for construction in conjunction with the project avoid crossing creeks or stream beds to avoid impacts to wildlife and habitat. If any new access or maintenance roads will be constructed that cross stream habitat, CPW would like to be consulted on best management practices and options for construction to minimize impacts. A construction design for any new or reconstructed riparian crossing that actively minimizes barriers to fish passage at all water levels and mitigates any existing barriers where possible would minimize the negative impact of the project on native fish species. CPW recommends the following Best Management Practices when working in or near aquatic habitats.