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Rifle Gravel Pit #1 January 2020 <br /> major rivers. It also is found in wetland and seepy areas near freshwater lakes or springs, <br /> and soils range from alluvial sands and gravels to coarse silts and clays. <br /> This species was discovered in the Roaring Fork valley along irrigation ditches, canals, and <br /> ponds near Carbondale in 2009 and was subsequently added to County lists in the area by <br /> USFWS. This species has not been observed much further downstream along the Roaring <br /> Fork than Cattle Creek confluence and has not been observed on the Colorado River <br /> mainstem. Although the property is outside the area of known occupancy for the orchid, <br /> suitable habitat does occur in discontinuous areas on the property, primarily along the banks <br /> of the Last Chance return ditch and within the herbaceous wet meadows supported by <br /> irrigation return flows. <br /> The development of the mine would entirely remove any areas of potential habitat for the <br /> orchid. There is a potential for direct impacts to individuals if a previously-unrecorded <br /> population occurs on the property. If the project includes a federal nexus, the USFWS may <br /> request that surveys be completed in areas of suitable habitat before those areas are <br /> developed. Surveys must be completed during the orchid's blooming season, generally in <br /> August. <br /> There are also areas of suitable habitat adjacent to the property. Indirect impacts to adjacent <br /> habitat are limited to and increased potential for noxious weed establishment during the <br /> reclamation process. There is no gradient or mechanism for discharges of sediment to reach <br /> adjacent habitat areas, assuming compliance with CDPHE Stormwater Permit conditions. <br /> BMPs would be used to control noxious weeds during operation and reclamation. <br /> In summary, the property contains limited potential habitat for the species but is outside the <br /> area of known occupancy. The potential habitat would be lost in the process of developing <br /> the mine, but the likelihood of direct impacts to a previously-unrecorded population is very <br /> small. The USFWS may request clearance surveys to establish species absence if the <br /> project includes a federal nexus. Surveys would eliminate the potential for direct impacts. <br /> The anticipated indirect impacts of mine development could result in an insignificant and <br /> temporary degradation of potential habitat for the orchid in the vicinity of the Project but <br /> would be minimized by CDPHE-mandated stormwater controls. Therefore, the Proposed <br /> Action "may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect" Ute ladies'-tresses orchid. <br /> 9.3 Seasonal Use of the Area <br /> The project occurs in mesic wet meadows and pastures. Most of the affected area has seen <br /> extensive development activities associated with grazing management, including trenching, <br /> disking, irrigation, and fence construction, and the habitats are already significantly <br /> disturbed. Animal species that are tolerant of, or habituate to, human activity persist in the <br /> area, and use the property on an intermittent and seasonal basis. The level of human <br /> disturbance is sufficiently great to preclude permanent occupancy of the parcel by wildlife <br /> species of concern. <br /> The area is seasonally used by the following species (based on CPW & COGCC RSO/SWH <br /> habitat data): <br /> • Bald Eagle (Winter Forage, Winter Range) <br /> • Elk (Severe Winter Range, Overall Range) <br /> 32 <br />