2021-03-09_REVISION - M2001046 (17)

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scattered coyote willows (Salix exigua). The remainder of the site contains seasonal flood irrigated agricultural cropland. Land Uses Adjacent land uses include aggregate mining, livestock grazing, and agriculture. 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 vertebrates in the categories of mammals, birds, and reptiles and amphibians. During the site investigation few wildlife species were observed. No mammal species were directly observed during the site investigation, though deer and raccoon tracks were observed alongside irrigation ditches during our inspection. Canada geese (Branta canadensis)were observed flying over adjacent fields. No reptiles or amphibians were observed during the on-site investigation. 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) identified sensitive wildlife habitat and surface restricted occupancy areas related to bald eagle nests northwest of the project site along the St. Vrain River(see appended map). Seasonal Use The open nature of the site (agricultural crops) with the attendant lack of cover limits the uses of the site by the majority of wildlife species. Opportunistic use by rodents,raccoons, coyotes, foxes, and deer likely occurs when agricultural crops are tall during the summer growing season, and wildlife species opportunistically utilize the irrigation and tailwater ditches within the site. With the exception of bats (identified from the list of potentially occurring species), the mammals 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 raptors, gallinaceous birds, pigeons, owls, and woodpeckers. The majority of the 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 summer residents within the tailwater ditches when water is present. Exhibit H Page 2 Page 27 of 126