2020-03-24_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (5)

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RULE 2 PERMITS of which represent year-round residents with the exception of the turkey vulture. Other raptors that have been observed include the Swainson's Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Rough Legged Hawk, and Perigrine Falcon. Raptor nests located during field surveys are recorded on the Wildlife Observations Map (Map 15). Red-trailed hawks are known to have nested on the northern side of the Streeter Draw lease in 1975 and 1978. A pair of Red-tailed Hawks nested on a power pole in Taylor Creek in 1980. One Fledgling was observed. A pair of Cooper's Hawks has been observed at a possible nesting site during 1979 and 1980. The location of two Golden Eagle nesting complexes were obtained from the CPW. The nests are located on sandstone cliffs adjacent to State Highway#13 as shown on the Wildlife Observations Map (Map 15). The area to be mined does not provide suitable nesting habitat for most of the species mentioned. Most of the preferable nesting habitat such as sandstone cliffs, rock outcropping, and trees are found to the north in Axial Basin, to the west along Taylor and Wilson Creeks, and to the east along Good Spring Creek. To date no raptor nests have been found in the area to be mined, although these areas and the reseeded areas provide excellent hunting areas for raptors. Raptor species that occur or are likely to occur in the permit area are listed in Table 2.04.11-11, Wildlife Species that Occur Or Are Likely To Occur In The Colowyo Permit Area. Upland Game Birds Observations of sage grouse have been common in the vicinity of the mine for the last several years; the area is used heavily for nesting and brood rearing from the nesting season through the fall months.No strutting grounds have been found on or near the area to be mined,but information contained in a July 23, 1980 letter rand map from the CPW noted that the general area immediately north of the Colowyo permit area and west of Milk Creek is a very important sage grouse area as shown on the Wildlife Agency Information Map (Map 14). The area supports a strutting nesting complex, and there is a large sage grouse brood concentration area north of the complex. During the summer of 1975, brood size averaged 4.3 birds on the mine site. Observations during the summer of 1980 averaged 3.7 birds. Observations have been made of sage grouse use on the mine plan area through seven winters beginning with the winter of 1974-1975. It has been commonly observed in mountain shrub communities in Northwest Colorado and in other areas that sage grouse move out of these areas in winter due to high snow depths. Observations at Colowyo support these generally accepted sage grouse use patterns. The winters of 1976-1977 and 1980-1981 were extremely dry and mild with very limited snow cover. Sage grouse were observed on the mine plan area during the entire winter. The other five winters beginning in 1974 were all normal or above normal winters with snow depths ranging from 75-100 inches.No sage grouse use was observed during the winter months of these years. Snow buildup from drifting snow around oak, serviceberry, chokecherry, and larger sage effectively limits use by most species. Use of the mine plan area as a winter range by deer, elk, or sage grouse is directly in response to the type of winter we have on the site. A discussion of potential impacts on sage grouse is provided under Section 2.05.6(2). Rule 2 Permits 2.04-65 Revision Date: 12/20/19 Revision No.: TR-135