2020-12-14_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (2)

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RULE 2 PERMITS boundary will physically displace a significant portion of the GSG population as the traditional summer habitat is removed. There will also be spatial displacement in the areas adjacent to the disturbance area due to continuous activity (noise generation, lights, etc.) of the mining operation. Actual acreage impact to GSG in the disturbance boundary: -Core range: 2132.74 -Lek areas: 511.36 -Production areas: 2132.74 Actual acreage impact to GSG within the permit boundary: -Core range: 14860.30 acres -Lek areas: 1777.59 acres -Production areas: 16747.12 acres Columbian Sharp -tail grouse (CSG): Although less in number to GSG, there is a healthy population of CSG in this area. Columbian sharp -tail grouse spend their entire life cycle within the Collom permit area. CSG breed and raise young within the sagebrush and grassland habitats found on the open ridges on the north slope of the Danforth Hills, including the Collom boundary. In the winter, CSG move up in elevation and utilize the mountain shrub and (to a lesser extent) aspen vegetation communities the loss of habitat, as well as the ancillary disturbance associated with mining, will have an adverse affect and displace these birds. Actual acreage impact to CSG in the disturbance boundary: -Core range: 0 acres -Lek areas: 169.84 acres -Production areas: 1420.47 Actual acreage impact to CSG in the permit boundary: -Core range: 0 acres -Lek areas: 2474.81 acres -Production areas: 8031.43 Elk: A significant number of elk utilize this entire region. The Collom expansion is within an elk migration corridor and elk production area. Thousands of elk migrate through this area from summer ranges across the White River National Forest to winter ranges in the Axial Basin, Crooked Wash, and Maybell areas. Approximately 500-1500 elk utilize this area in the Danforth Hills as a production area and to raise their calves through the summer. The number of elk wintering in this area varies depending on winter conditions; however, thousands of elk consistently migrate through this area on an annual basis. Actual acreage impact to elk in the disturbance boundary: -Production area: 562.38 acres -Winter Concentration area: 1006.81 acres Actual acreage impact to elk in the permit boundary: -Production area: 3602.17 acres -Winter Concentration area: 11386.43 acres -Migration Corridor: 17.56 acres Mule Deer: The Collom expansion is mapped mule deer critical winter range. Wintering deer rely heavily upon the browse species like sage brush, serviceberry, and oakbrush found on the open, south Collom — Rule 2, Page 69 Revision Date: 4/7/17 Revision No.: RN -07