2020-02-05_REVISION - M1998013 (27)

Home Browse Search

crescent of wetland vegetation, dominated by three square (Scirpus americanus) and cattails. Active and inactive agricultural areas dominate the remainder of the project site, with individual fields within the west, southwest, and southeast areas of the project site. At the time of our investigation, the west and southwest agricultural areas were planted to corn, while the southeast field was fallow. Significant Wildlife Resources Tables 1, 2, and 3 list wildlife species that potentially occur on-site according to the Colorado Distribution Latilong Studies (CDOW, 1981, 1990, 1998). The latilong studies address mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. A further review of wildlife species for which the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife has distribution maps on the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission web site (http://cogcc.state.co.us/infosys/Maps/wildlifemap.cfm) revealed that the far northwest and north areas along the St. Vrain River are within the sensitive wildlife habitat boundaries for a bald eagle winter night roost (see appended map). During our site investigation we encountered a number of avian species within the project site. Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus), mourning doves (Zenaida macroura), great blue herons (Ardea herodias), red-tail hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), a Swainson's hawk (Buteo swainsoni), white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), anhingas (Anhinga anhinga), and red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) were all seen flying or soaring over the riparian corridor or fields. Coyote (Canis latrans) scat was encountered, as were raccoon (Procyon lotor) tracks. A number of whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were observed within the riparian woodland. Seasonal Use With the exception of bats, the mammal species encountered during the site inspection or that potentially occur on-site are expected to be year-round residents or users of the site. The carnivore and ungulate species are not restricted to this site and tend to have relatively large home ranges (up to several square miles). The majority of rodent and insectivore species can be expected to reside on-site throughout the year, though many may hibernate during the cold months. Avian species may be year-round, temporary migrants, or summer residents of the site. Year-round residents would include the waterfowl, raptors, gallinaceous birds, pigeons, owls, and woodpeckers. The majority of the shorebirds and passerines would use the site during the spring, summer, and fall for feeding or resting during migration. Amphibian and reptile species of the site are year- round residents. Exhibit H Page 2