2020-03-24_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (2)

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RULE 2 PERMITS Cranes may utilize these areas for short periods during migration; however, the area is not expected to provide long-term or critical habitat for whooping cranes. Yellow -billed cuckoos migrate south during the winter and return in the summer for brood rearing. Preferred nesting and foraging areas of the cuckoo is typically confined to relatively expansive stands of mature cottonwood or willow forests located adjacent to slow or standing water bodies. Habitat that meets these criteria is not present; therefore, no cuckoos are expected to be present within the permit revision area. Black -footed ferrets are dependent on prairie dog villages for survival. The prairie dogs and their burrows provide food and shelter for the ferrets. Currently, the presence of prairie dogs has not been identified within the mining areas. Based on the lack of habitat, ferrets are not expected to be present in the revision area. The Canada lynx prefers habitat of early and late seral stage forests. The vegetation within the permit revision area is predominantly mountain shrub, sagebrush, aspen woodland, juniper, riparian, and grasslands. The lynx may periodically travel through the revision area; however, this area is not expected to be an area that is a critical habitat for the species and vast areas of similar habitat exist around the revision area. No critical habitat for threatened or endangered species is present in the permit revision area. No threatened or endangered species are expected to be present within the permit revision area. Bald eagles and peregrine falcons may utilize the area as foraging habitat during the winter, no extended period of use or critical habitat for these species has been documented within the South Taylor/Lower Wilson permit revision area. 2.04.11 (5) Threatened and Endangered Plant Species In the recent past (25-30 years), vegetation surveys in the area conducted by numerous private consultants, governmental agencies, and Colowyo personnel have failed to discover or indicate potential for occurrence of any rare, threatened, or endangered plant species within the previously approved permit area or the permit revision area. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Endangered Species list was reviewed to identify plant species that are threatened, endangered, and candidates for listing that may be present in the permit revision area. No plant species were identified on the Moffat County Endangered Species list. Four plant species including Dudley Bluffs Bladderpod (Lesquerella congesta), Dudley Bluffs (Piceance) Twinpod (Physaria obcordata), Graham Beardtongue (Penstemon grahamii), and White River Beardtongue (Penstemon scariosus var. albifluvis) were identified on the Rio Blanco County Endangered Species list. According to a letter from the Bureau of Land Management dated July 28, 1997, these species are restricted to areas outside the vicinity of the mine area and are not expected to be present within the mining area. A copy of the BLM letter is included in Exhibit 10, Item 4 of the existing Colowyo permit document. In May 2005 a specific request was made of the Colorado Natural Heritage Program for all records of sensitive plants and animals within two miles of the Collom Permit Area which includes all of the Lower Wilson Study Area for Vegetation and Soils. The results of this request were negative for all floral species. A summary of the USFWS Endangered Species list is included in Table 2.04.11-15. 2.04.12 Prime Farmland Investigation The presence of potential prime or important farmlands within the disturbed areas associated with the South Taylor/Lower Wilson mine areas was determined based on a reconnaissance inspection. Results of South Taylor/Lower Wilson — Rule 2. Page 66 Revision Date: 4/7/17 Revision No.: RN -07